Money Talks: Revisiting Citizens United | Maia Cook | TEDxNewHaven

In an educational and enlightening talk, the speaker delves into the essence of democracy, shedding light on its challenges and providing insights for positive change. With a focus on the importance of voter participation and campaign finance disclosure, the speaker highlights the significant impact of the Citizens United decision. They call for transparency and the restoration of genuine representation, inspiring us to engage in informed discussions and advocate for campaign finance reform, envisioning a future where democracy truly reflects the collective will of its citizens. Maia Cook, an undergraduate researcher at Yale University, is studying the impact of the 2010 Supreme Court decision, Citizens United, on marginalized communities. She believes that legislative defection due to lobbying harms black, indigenous, and latine groups. Her interest began during her first political campaign in 2020.

In 2021, after moving to Connecticut, she lobbied for increased campaign finance disclosure and testified before the state's General Administration and Elections Committee. Despite the defeat of the house bill she supported, she views its progress in a fiscal-focused legislative session as noteworthy. In 2022, she secured public statements on Citizens United's legacy from Noam Chomsky and former Attorney General Eric Holder.

Convinced that justice cannot exist when corporations influence representatives, Maia aims to continue sharing her findings publicly in a comprehensible manner. She aspires to attend law school post-graduation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx