In this episode, I chat with Jeff Mangan, founder of the Transparent Election Initiative, whose cornerstone, the Montana Plan, is a bold effort to curb the influence of corporate and dark money in politics. Jeff traces the roots of the problem back to the Citizens United decision, which unleashed a surge in corporate spending and reshaped the American political landscape through the rise of Super PACs. Montana, with its storied history of resisting corporate influence, serves as the perfect proving ground for reform. The Montana Plan seeks to strip corporations of their political spending power, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and grassroots engagement as essential tools for meaningful change.
Jeff’s advice is simple but powerful: start by asking your friends, neighbors, or even strangers, “Is there too much money in politics?” He notes that nearly everyone will say yes—and that first acknowledgment is the opening to real action. By turning awareness into conversation, citizens begin to see that change is possible. If successful, the Montana Plan could offer a model for other states, proving that when communities act collectively, even entrenched political systems can be challenged and reimagined.
