Priceless

Producer and director Cowan has created an accessible overview of how the current U.S. system of financing elections shapes public policy. He concentrates on farming and energy production and how corporations in these industries funnel huge sums of money to lobbyists who, in turn, provide funds to senators and representatives who back legislation favorable to their interests. Generally, these policies favor the status quo at the expense of the development of organic farming and alternative energy sources. Environmental consequences persist as large-scale food production depends on the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and continues its reliance on fossil fuels. Cowan highlights an alternative method for funding elections instituted in both Arizona and Maine whereby voluntary publicly funded systems for state elections keep senators and representatives from being beholden to wealthy donors. This DVD includes both a full-length and a shorter version of the film, with the abridged version still hitting the important points.