Ever since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling held the federal government couldn’t restrict companies from financing political campaigns, there’s been plenty of debate over who has the most power in our democracy: the people or corporations.

The Supreme Court held that money is essentially free speech, and therefore both individuals and corporations can use that free speech to exercise political power. The controversial ruling has left many wondering just how we can get the power back in the hands of the people, and out of the hands of corporations, entities that concentrate the wealth of many without actually representing their interests.

But as activist Alice Walker once said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” If you’re a citizen looking to exercise your own personal power in our democracy, there are a few small steps you can take: Continue reading →