For months progressives have been warning that the Citizens United decision would allow foreign money to flood in and affect elections in the United States. While Justice Alito and other conservative believed that fear was overblown, last week Think Progress released a report showing that this fear had become a reality. The Think Progress report showed that the Chamber of Commerce was taking money from foreign corporations in Bahrain, Egypt, and India. This same Chamber of Commerce was then setting up a $75 million fund to run attack ads against Democrats across the country. Many of these ads are currently running in key races across the country. Today the top Democrat, President Obama, made clear that he also fears the effect foreign money is having on elections in the United States.
In his speech today in Maryland the President warned the crowd that Democrats were being outspent by a 7:1 margin in the current midterm election cycle. While the flood of money in general was a concern, the President specifically cited foreign money which is now being used for campaign ads in America. While not specifically mentioning the Chamber of Commerce, the President argued that "some groups receiving foreign money" represent a "danger to democracy" that Democrats, independents, and Republicans should all fear.
Before the United States Supreme Court's Citizens United decision corporations were limited on what they could spend for or against individual candidates. Corporations could spend money on "issue ads" but there were also strict disclosing rules in place. Following Citizens United decisions corporations now have essentially the same rights as every other person, and therefore can run whatever ads they want to in support or opposition to a given candidates. While it is still illegal for foreign corporations to run ads in America, the Chamber of Commerce has conveniently found a way around this obstacle.
The Chamber has sought donations from foreign corporations to its general fund. Foreign corporations can therefore give to the Chamber of Commerce, a domestic organization, and the Chamber can run ads against Democrats. The Chamber of Commerce claims they have a "system in place" to keep foreign money from being used in domestic elections, but they have refused to open their books to check on this "system." In addition, money is generally fungible and so any money given to the Chamber, at the very least, goes to indirectly fund campaign ads. As Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) pointed out, if the Chamber receives money from foreign corporations which is used to pay its staff it then has more free money to put into its account to run campaign ads.
In the summer Democrats attempted to pass the "Disclose Act" which would have made corporations disclose their contributions to funds which were used for campaign ads. However, that bill was defeated due to a Republican filibuster. If Republicans end up gaining a majority in Congress this November there is little chance that anything will be done about the current rules which allow foreign corporations to influence American elections.
Comments
Obama sent/sends American money to influence foreign elections:
http://www.theyoutube.com/watch?v=sUaGe63Aqv4
I am the writer of the "Obama sent..." Comment.
Why was this not an issue with Chinese money to Clinton Gore and the Buddhist money to Gore?
Didn;t seem to bother you then.
Not that I believe any Progressive group on this anyway.
Without verifiable proof and just empty allegations it is all just a hit piece.
The point is this - ads are being made to denigrate a candidate - these ads are paid for by people with complete anonymity. This is the very first election cycle when the commercials do not have to say who paid for them. If it is an organization then the donors (no matter how large the donation) are not required to disclose their contribution. The complexion of campaign financing has completely changed. The Citizens ruling is showing that Republicans are out-spending Democrats 7 to 1 with these huge undisclosed donations via advertisements. If you like what they say NOW then you need to know unless something changes - it could be your candidate being trashed next election cycle. This is completely contrary to a fair election and a democracy. - lg
Obama haters carry signs calling the president a communist, yet they have no outrage when the government controlled Chinese Communist corporations donate money to be used to influence American elections.
Citizens United decision, in my opinion, damages democracy in the United States more than any single political event in our country's history. The Constitution guarantees freedoms for people, not for things. Corporations have no more right to "free speech" than a family pet. A corporation does not get medical check ups like a person, nor is a corporation allowed to vote.
Also, money isn't speech. It's more of a megaphone. The more money you spend, the bigger the megaphone.
I want Red China, Russia, Dubai, and General Electric out of my country's election. Shame on the Supreme Court for allowing these entities into our conversation, our process, our democracy!
America isn't a Democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic, and Obama is a threat to that. In his own words he considers the Constitution a flawed document because it doesn't address the redistribution of wealth, but that's the whole idea. It protects us from Government deciding you have to much and taking it from you. He believes in big government that knows what is best for people. Elites in power who will decide what you need, what you can and can't have. A scary precedent to set and everything previous generations of Americans fought against.
The way we govern is indeed a Constitutional Republic. The election process is a Democracy where majority rules. Leaving the subtleties of the Electoral College out - the one with the most votes from the individual voters wins - that is why we say democracy. A Constitutional Republic just keeps it from being mob rule as regards laws. -lg
Actually we elect representatives to do our bidding. Although we may not agree on every issue we elect a representative that most closely aligns with our views. If we were a Democracy we wouldn't have Reps. we would all vote on every issue. Having representatives frees us up to go about our daily lives with liberty in the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately we haven't been paying close enough attention to whom we're electing. The result of which is our best interests taking a backseat to lobbyists and special interest groups.
It's only a problem to Obama when he's being outspent. His biggest backers are bent on the destruction of America (Soros,et al) He's a hypocrite
The ironic thing is that the candidates the Chamber of Commerce supports are far more pro-American than the Leftists receiving cash from all the anti-American groups that are trying to undo our Republic. It would be nice to see foreign money going to something pro-American for a change.
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