Supreme court rules in favor of Corporations and bribery in Elections
By lilwonders
@lilwonders456 (8214)
United States
January 21, 2010 11:42am CST
The Supreme court has ruled to relax laws reguarding money given to campaigns by COrporations, lobbyists, unions and other groups. This ruling overrules a previous ruling that put tighter restrictions on how much money these groups could pour into an election.
Anyone else have a problem with this? As I see it today...our elected officials could care less what is in the publics best interest or what the average masses want...because the corporations, lobbyist and other groups are buying them off to write and pass laws that favor them instead. I feel it should more tightly regulated...not given a free for all. This will make things worse....not better.
The ruling also takes off restriction on ads run and paid for by corporations for a candidate. Until now they could only talk about issues and NOT specifically endorse a candidate....now they can. They can also make their own ads openingly attacking a candidate.
Do we really want our elections run by corporate america or lobbyist groups? They are already too much apart of the process for me. Corporate America should be kicked out of the election process....not made more a part of it. This is an outrage. It is a smack in the face to every average citiizen in this country. Your voice has just been deminised even more than it already was. This is a BIG step in the wrong direction.
What do you think? What do you plan on doing about it?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
21 Jan 10
I definitely have a problem with it and am surprised that no one seems to have noticed what they just did. It was enough before, when they could make more limited donations (and expect favors because of it). I think corruption is running rampant, more so than ever before and this just opens the way for more. When there is no shame, how can we even protest? It's like they don't even know they're corrupt.
I don't know what to do about it, but gripe. I'll write my senators and representatives, but I don't think they care. I'm disgusted.
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
21 Jan 10
I am also going to be contacting my elected officials about this. I am so going to write to the judges and give them a piece of my mind on this too.
As for what we can do....we have GOT to push for election reform. We have got to get corporate america and lobbyists out of the government. They are ruining our country. Yes it is going to be hard....but it a fight that has got to be fought.
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
21 Jan 10
I agree. ANd it is just getting worse. It now looks like they have the power to change any law that does not suit them either. We have to stop it now.
NO MORE. Not from ANY elected official.
@artistry (4151)
• United States
22 Jan 10
...Hi there lilwonders, This in effect gives carte b;anc to big business, unions, entities with money galore. The senator and representatives can now be know, as someone said, the senator from Microsoft or GE, instead of from Montana or Nebraska. It is a slap in the face of all citizens, whatever the corporations want, they will buy the person who promotes it, might I say, more than they have bought them in the past. Now it can be done with impunity, in your face with the law backing them up. Unbelieveable. relief from this does not appear to be readily available. In effect the Supreme Court just turned the rights of the people over to the will of the corporations and unions, with the biggest bidder taking charge. My disgust is overwhelming. Making telephone calls and writing letters should be done, to lawmakers, the court is untouchable and should be ashamed. Take care
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
22 Jan 10
"In effect the Supreme Court just turned the rights of the people over to the will of the corporations and unions, with the biggest bidder taking charge"
That is probly the truest statement I have ever heard. It sums it up rightly.
It is disguest. I am definately making phone calls. I am definately writting letters. And seriously thinking about putting together a rally against this decision and picking the supreme court. I will have to see how many other people I can get to help me put it together and see how many would be able to come.
@artistry (4151)
• United States
22 Jan 10
...Hi again lilwonders, Thank you. I just heard Representative Frank say tonight, that his Committee will be looking into writing legislation that will limit this garbarge through legal statutes. They are going to start immediately to do this. This passage could trigger a revolution if people are paying attention. The Supreme Court hijacked our democracy and handed it to corporate thieves. I am so appalled. Take care.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
22 Jan 10
I'll tell you what, if we can get a group together to go picket the Supreme Court, count me in if I can possibly get there. I might even take my grandkids, it would be a great educational experience for them.
GOP House and Senate Minority Leaders, John Boehner and Mitch McConnell both praised the ruling and say it's a victory for "free speech". I didn't know "speech" was supposed to cost millions of dollars!
Annie
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
22 Jan 10
There has got to be some way to stop them. If not this is not a government "for the people, of the people and by the people". But "for corporate america, of corporate america and for corporate america". It won't be a government of the people at all....unless you own a huge corporation or are a lobbyist.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
21 Jan 10
I'm not thrilled about it, but do you really think it makes a difference? Either they give the money directly or they funnel it through employees. No matter how you cut it they're still funding the campaigns and running the elections. The only way to really fix the problem is to have a public with the brains to research candidates and I just don't see that happening with the apathetic voters in this country.
