A (Cold) Walk to Remember

By Marianne O’Connor

Friday Jan 24th the Nashua Unitarian Universalist church in Nashua will host a special birthday party for Doris Haddock, Granny D. Joining the celebration is a group calling themselves NH Rebellion. When the NH Rebellion walkers march into Nashua later today it will mark an end to a 185 mile journey across the state which began in Dixville Notch on January 11th. The Rebellion will have much to celebrate as the goal is finally reached.

Harvard Law professor Larry Lessig, activist and author of “The Root Strikers” began this long walk to call attention to campaign finance reform, just as Granny D walked across the country 15 years ago, raising the same awareness and calling for change.

January 21st , Day 11 of the Rebellion’s walk, passed another milestone: the anniversary of Citizens United. Established in 2010 Citizens United opened the flood gates for political campaigns to allocate unlimited funding for political campaigns: this abuse and misuse of millions of dollars in campaign expenses is what Granny D warned us about many years ago. Citizens United brought “super PACs: ” independent expenditure groups super funding campaigns without legal limits. This has come to define today’s political campaign landscape: political leaders bought and ultimately controlled by corporate institutions, Big Oil, special interest and lobbyists.

Tuesday evening, on the anniversary of Citizens United, Lessig spoke at the Warren Rudman Center at the UNH Law School in Concord. Lessig spoke of Citizens United, campaign reform and the steps, albeit small ones, we must all take to put an end to the pervasive and incestuous relationship where money and American politics are enmeshed.

Speaking on the panel with Lessig was Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), Barbara Lawton, President and CEO of Americans for Campaign Reform, former Republican state senator Jim Rubens, State Reo. Diane Russell, D-Maine, and for comic relief, Cenk Uygur former host of television’s "Young Turks" and founder of Wolf-PAC.

Lessig appeared rested and relaxed as he responded to questions and centered the discussion on the level of corruption in Congress and the circuitous cycle where retired law makers easily transition into lobbying and special interest committee members. In Washington the money continuously flows steadily while “disclosure laws” protect their interests and hides sources of revenue. And this is how politics work.

Pulitzer winner Hedrick Smith will be joining Lessig on Friday during his last seven miles from Merrimack to Nashua. Thursday Smith spoke at Nashua Community College on the topic of restoring economic growth to the middle class and calling attention to inequality. His book, "Who Stole the American Dream?" is a NY Times Best seller. Hedrick said that both Republican and Democrats complain the government doesn’t work; everyone seems to agree on this. But he points out that indeed the government is working, it’s working like a well-oiled (well-funded) machine for those who want it to work; lobbyists, politicians and policy makers whose interests are profit over people. 

Smith also echoed the concerns of Citizens United and how it has lead us into a corrupt cycle of super funded elections that cost in the billions, while middle class citizens, both republican and democrats, are mired in debt, inflated insurance costs, and the highest cost for health care the country has seen. It’s a problem we need to fix at once, before the next election.

Wednesday morning I woke with “Team NH Rebellion, “ had a quick bite and layered up for the bitter cold. We met in the lobby of the Fairfield Inn where hand warmers and other cold weather gear were passed around. Crews of vans drove to the state house where the day would begin. Jacob Brennan from Providence, RI, huddled the group inside the state house lobby and reminded walkers to use caution in such bitter cold. Drivers would be available along the route for those needing breaks for food, warmth or rest. 

This would be one of the toughest days of walking with the frigid temperatures. Joining Lessig was John Sarbanes and Cenk Uygur. I met other walkers, too, like Franny Shaw from RI , Chicago native Eric Price and Steve Ahlgren who joined the walk for a short distance to show his support. Ahlgren still remembers Granny D, she introduced his mother to his father. 

“My father showed up for the date in a suit and tie. My mother was a free spirit, and didn’t go for his look at all. “But, he recalls, the two fell in love and married. Dixie and John Tymitz from Pittsburgh, PA, also flew into NH to be part of the Rebellion. Dixie wanted to join the team in Dixville Notch and insisted the couple drive there from Laconia. 

“I never knew what a “Notch” was, we learned that no busses went to the Notch, and then I saw pictures. That influenced the decision a lot," She later said.

Granny D was a pioneer, dedicated to raising awareness on finance reform , she walked, and was a rebel too. Though Haddock was a Democrat, we can celebrate her legacy by educating others on the urgency for reform at this critical time. Citizens disgusted with political corruption and money in politics can unite across party lines, including Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Free Staters, Socialists, Green Party members, Occupiers and all who seek justice and an end to the greed and corruption that distorts the our money bought political system. Lessig reminds us all to demand accountability from candidates seeking election: what will they do about campaign reform? Granny D would have been a proud member of Team NH Rebellion. The NH Rebellion group will be arriving at the church at approximately 3:30 p.m. and anyone is invited to join in the march.

For more information on NH Rebellion www.nhrebellion.org

About the party: Granny D celebration is Friday January 24th 3:30-7 at the Unitarian Universalist Church on 58 Lowell St. Food provided by Riverside Barbeque Company and Ben and Jerry Ice-cream. Speakers include Larry Lessig, Buddy Roemer a former Presidential candidate and Hedrick Smith. There will be a proclamation from Governor Hassan. Parking is limited. FREE