In a narrow 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court granted overturned precedent and law, giving corporations unlimited financial power in our elections.
The court specifically overturned Section 203 of 2002's Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, known as the McCain-Feingold Act. The law barred corporations and labor unions from spending general treasury funds on campaign ads.
Republicans are elated. Republican Senate Leader, Mitch McConnell called the decision "monumental".
Democrats are disappointed in the decision. President Obama called it a, “major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans.”
What does this decision mean? Essentially it means that candidates who aren't tied to corporate interests will be bombarded off the airways. The good guys exist, but you won't hear about them on TV. You won't see documentaries about them, unless it's in a negative light. Banks and Wall Street will bury populist candidates. Food conglomerates will crush anyone who campaigns on safety. Oil companies will portray environmentalists as crackpots (well they already do that, but you get the idea).
On the surface, it might not seem like much will change. Lobbyists are Washington's puppet masters. Corporations found ways to get around the law, but there were limits. The problem is that individuals will never be able to outspend corporations. By expanding their voices, the Supreme Court has helped silence ours.
There is one bit of hope and that is the internet. The internet is a democratic voice. The time will come soon when TV and traditional media outlets will no longer have a significant impact on elections. Bloggers helped sweep Obama into office and they might help sweep him out. Traditional media is still influential, especially in local elections.
Congressman Alan Grayson of Florida is fighting back. He is petitioning the Supreme Court and Congress to pass bills against this decision. Click here to sign the on line petition.
Comments
Yep. That sucks royally. You know, I wouldn't doubt that 75% (or more) of Americans would like to see Corporations taken out of the political funding business... what chances do you think we have of seeing an Amendment?
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