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Scrooge McDuck "Making it Rain" (public domain)
Then, not long from now, you're voting for corporations. “It's Coca-Cola vs. PepsiCo. The rivalry continues...except THIS time, it's for PRESIDENT!” If you think corporations won't do this, or if SEIU won't go after candidates (unions have been “freed” as well), just keep in mind how many times the FEC has been brought to court since January 1, 2003, when the McCain-Feingold Act came into effect.
You'll hear plenty about this being a “First Amendment Issue”, and it's true. It is a First Amendment issue, and political speech should be protected, no matter the source. However, there is nothing in the First Amendment which protects a corporation's right to affect politics by dumping insane amounts of money into the process, and virtually force politicians to bend to their will and further the corporation's agenda.
How long until things like the FDA go away? How about fuel mileage standards, or even seat belts? And Wall Street will be the biggest beneficiaries of all. It's already a pretty smooth ride for Wall St. businesses since the repeal of Glass-Steagall, and the knowledge that no matter how badly they screw up, the government will be there to bail them out.
Now imagine no regulations at all. No SEC, no Federal controls at all. Stock brokers can lie to clients with no repercussions. Inside information will be the rule, rather than the punishable-by-law exception.
These things will change. And, it won't take nearly as long as you think. The near future bears these eventualities out, now that corporations and unions can now freely buy our politicians without so much as a slap on the wrist.
This should not be a partisan issue. However, it is, and everyone on the right is hailing this as a massive victory for the First Amendment. It will be interesting to see if the Republican base, the lower-income whites from rural areas, will continue to support the, as the future unfolds.
Oh, that's one more thing you can count on. Republicans. Democrats. No Libertarians, No Green Party, No Constitution Party, No Socialist Party. No, from now on, you get Republicans and Democrats only. Sure, that's essentially what we have now, but going forward, that protest vote option won't exist. However, your ballot might be sponsored by International Paper.
Democrats are scrambling to add provisions back into McCain-Feingold which might be work-arounds, including the “stand-by-your-ad” provision. However, it's no use. There aren't enough votes, and even if there were, one can't have much confidence that the President will sign it.
The only hope now is more Supreme Court Justice turnover, and that this issue be brought to the Court again, except this time with their right thumb on the scales of justice.
Comments
I'm scared.
Our Republic is doomed. The Grand Experiment is finished. It's time for removing ourselves from the "Matrix." In other words, drop out of society, drop out of the military, job out of your job and business, default on your home loan. These these bass turds feel it where it hurts the most. YOU JUST HAVE TO STOP PLAYING THEIR GAME!
Seriously, are you so doom and gloom? This sort of action will help people mobilize. As forces become more oppositional with the floodgates open, the number of people brave enough to risk arrest for civil disobedience will rise.
Finally, things might just change.
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