Supreme Court’s 2010 Decision “Citizens United” Could Be Gone Soon
It’s so easy to look at the levels of stupidity and corruption that have so overwhelmed the U.S. democracy over the last half-century and conclude that there is no hope. Some of us may have thought that perhaps the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision “Citizens United” (granting corporations the right to spend as much money as they want to manipulate our elections in whatever direction suits their purpose) might have been the final nail in the coffin.
But then we look at the actual statistics associated with the movement to forward a Constitutional Amendment that would overturn Citizens United, and we see that it’s sailing right along!
As discussed here, the reaction against this outrageous law has been universal and it’s been fierce; the outcry has emanated from so many places one might never have expected, meaning that the 2012 presidential election may, as discussed in the piece, be the last one controlled by huge sums of money. Montana, a state in which Romney walloped Obama by a margin of 13%, is as vocal in its support of the amendment as some of the more liberal states. Apparently, the idea of special interests running our government is repulsive to people of all political persuasions.
From the article:
As prescribed in Article V of the Constitution, the amendment process requires a two-thirds vote by both chambers of Congress, followed by ratification by three-quarters of the states. Today, three years after the infamous Supreme Court ruling, we’re closer than ever to hitting those magic numbers of 67 senators, 290 representatives and 38 states.
Here’s the rundown. In Congress, 24 returning senators and 73 returning representatives have introduced or co-sponsored amendments to overturn Citizens United. On the state side, Montana and Colorado have become the 10th and 11th states to formally call for an amendment, and are the first to do so through a statewide popular vote. Voters in both these states approved their measures by margins of nearly three to one.
If you already haven’t done so, I urge you to check out MoveToAmendand Saving American Democracy.
If we can get this done, America, it will be our most brilliant achievement since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Let’s go for it.
Craig,
Like most people you don’t seem to understand the pointless logic of the media rhetoric and irrational mob mentality opposing the perfectly logical constitutional interpretation by the Supreme Court.
It all very well to say , ” I don’t like corporate money being used to support candidates!” but how exactly do you frame such a law ?
Every attempt ends up restricting free speech. Even if such a law could be passed, it would be ineffective as corporate America would simply fund more untraceable ‘Communities groups’ who would then fund far more subtle and damaging politically influential actions.
Now to stop that occurring, you would need to ban corporations from funding any activity. But, that would also breech the constitution, so you would need to ban all groups, environmental, union,farmers, etc,.. everyone !
Free speech is a difficult concept to uphold. But as the Chief Justice said ” The First Amendment provides free speech, it makes no distinction between speakers”!
A campaign to weaken the Constitution, simply to effect a poorly thought through populist idea, based on hysteria and misconception, is not worthy of anyone time.
I have no idea why my post appeared as Anonymous!