Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled that unions and corporations can spend as much as they want to on campaign advertising. This is the most irresponsible decision the Supreme Court has made, at least in my life time. Democracy as we have known it is about to change and not for the better.
Corporations typically support republican candidates. Yes, they give to democrats as well, but it is the republicans who benefit the most from their contributions and therefore it is the republicans who pass most of the legislation that benefits corporate interest, just as it is usually the republicans who block legislation that is not in the interest of corporations. It is true that unions back democrats, however, unions pockets do run nearly as deep as corporate pockets.
It is not too difficult to see the ramifications of what this could mean to a democratic government that is supposed to be run by the people and for the people. In fact, no other democracy in the world allows corporations to spend on campaigns without limits. One might argue that this will be OK as long as there is full disclosure of where the money came from that funds an ad. Oh yea? And how long do you think there will be disclosure? Once the corporations own every member of congress as well as the president, you don't think they will change this? The potential for problems here are unlimited. What about corporations that are owned primarily by foreign interest? Do we want them having this kind of influence over our leaders?
The biggest expense in any campaign is television and radio advertising. So you get a candidate who has 50 million to spend on advertising but maybe his platform is not in the best interest of some corporations. So a few of them get together and decide to spend 500 million to defeat him. That means there will be ten times as many adds playing against him than there are playing for him. You don't see a problem here? Soon working folks will quit sending their hard earned money to support candidates because collectively, and even with the help of unions, they will never be able to compete with large corporations who have unlimited funds.
What the Supreme Court has done is essentially given the corporations a way to ensure that no candidate will ever win office that is not working for them, and that should scare the hell out of EVERY working and middle class American, regardless of party. This very well could be the beginning of the end of democracy.
About Me: I am a baby boomer and a true product of the sixties. Although a lot of great ideals came out of that era, my generation made a lot of mistakes as well. I have tried to take the best of those ideals, as well as the lessons learned from my life experiences along the way, and hone them into a philosophy that gives me direction and purpose. This philosophy of mine is a witless blend of one part liberal, two parts practical, and three parts spiritual, mixed with just enough dry humor....to make you want to puke. This wouldn't be such a terrible thing if it weren't for the fact that I like to write. But I do. I hope you enjoy.
Great points.Since when are corporations considered people?I guess to the Reich wingers on the Supreme Court 'We the People' means nothing.
At one time, in America, it was a dream of most kids to grow up to be President. Now, the child's dream is to be a Corporate CEO. Isn't there something about .."corporate power corrupts absolutly"..? ~mike
Alas!
The ruling was correct.
Corporations are "people."
This, by a ruling in the 19th century.
Only an amendment can change that.
Of course, that will never happen, cuz we're to busy arguing over BS.