Recent debates over health care and financial industry reform have demonstrated the power that special interests currently wield in Washington. And today, by a narrow majority, the Roberts' Court has given these powerful interests even more say in the political process
In its decision, the Court has erased the distinction between corporate and individual expenditures in American elections, paving the way for unlimited corporate influence in our elections.
Fourteen months ago, Americans voted to bring "change" to Washington. But since then big money interests- buoyed by millions in campaign cash and thousands of lobbyists - have used their influence to water-down, gut, or outright kill important legislation. They have left a disillusioned public angry and demoralized at Congress's seeming inability to affect change. Tuesday's surprise outcome in the Massachusetts special election is the perfect example. Polling conducted election night show voters didn't choose Scott Brown because Democrats had gone too far, it's because they didn't go far enough. Today's opinion in the Citizens United case only exacerbates this problem, further eroding the people's trust in our elected officials and faith in our government.
This decision will force candidates for Congress to spend even more time dialing for dollars and attending gala fundraisers instead of focusing on the challenges facing our country. It will increase members of Congress's fear of political reprisal for votes cast or policy decisions made that may be in the best interests of their constituents but are opposed by deep-pocket lobbyists. Congressional schedules will be pitted against the calendar of campaign fundraisers.
If you like Congressional gridlock and insider politics, then you'll love this decision. If you think the lobbyists for the banks, insurance firms, and oil companies need more power, you'll love this decision. But if you value fairness, democracy and the free speech of ordinary citizens, this is a disaster. It is an immoral decision that puts the Roberts' Court on the side of Wall Street and the big money lobbyists against the interests of Main Street America.
Congress needs to address this decision swiftly and forcefully to empower everyday Americans and end the undue influence of big money on our elected officials. I've worked for nearly two decades to reduce the influence of special interest cash on our political process. With this decision, the need to change the system has never been greater, and the stakes have never been higher.
--Say Anything
Stand up for Lloyd, the last moral American, the only one that won't succumb to corporate influence (I hope).
Some of these corporations are multinational, a sort of "state" rather than "person", if you will. Their interests may not be the interests of the United States. As a matter of fact, their interests MAY be anything BUT!!!!!!!!!
In my Illinois county there is a period where the judge can rethink his decision and I have no doubt that applies to the decisions of these supreme court judges as well---every USA entity, from the Military to the Senate to the House of Representatives to the President to the Unions to the CIA to the FBI ought to be giving this M A J O R decision a SECOND look!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Human life must now come to a standstill according to the genius of the Supremes. No eating. No manufacturing. No unconsented distribution of products. Of course, those newly personified corporations can no longer do anything because they are now violating the rights of said rocks, trees, pigs, et. al. Not since Dred Scott has such consummate stupidity come from nine lawyers sitting together, but then again those Supremes said that blacks weren't persons.
Why should corporations be second class citizens? Equal rights for all!
Anybody?
as a U.S. citizen. I really don't think Ben Franklin, et al. had any trouble differentiating between the
local dry goods store and the person shopping in it, or thought
the First National Bank was part of We the People.
More Bush/Cheney rubble and aftershocks.
We need to get as many on the Court as possible who don't see things the
same way as Roberts, et al.
And the idea that congress will do anything to address this issue is a childish dream.
This decision reinforces the system already in place.
It is far past time to eliminate corporate person-hood.
Perhaps this will be the impetus.
:-]