Feingold’s Progressives United aim to make politicians accountable to people not lobbyists

Former US Senator Russ Feingold reentered the political fray this week. On NPR, the Wisconsin progressive weighed in on the election that led to the shift to Republican power in state government.

“You know, I don’t think the voters of this state for a minute thought that we should start attacking public employees and public employee unions and the right to collectively bargain.  This was a tough election because the economy was in a very bad condition, and people wanted to send a message. But I’m pretty sure the message was not destroy the opportunities for working people to protect themselves.”

Feingold has launched a new Political Action Committee aimed at advancing a progressive agenda and fending off corporate influence in politics. In the announcement for Progressives United, Feingold said the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision was one of the most “lawless” in US history.

“We’ll work to ensure that our elected officials, both Republican and Democratic, are held accountable to the people and not to the lobbyists in Washington. We’ll call out the media when they hide from the real story. And we’ll support candidates when they uphold our Progressive ideals, even if the beltway establishment doesn’t. This moment is critical. Let’s unite Progressives across our country to fight back.”

A three-term Senator, Feingold lost his Wisconsin election last November. In a Facebook post, Progressives United says the initial overwhelming response to the announcement crashed the group’s website.