Supreme Court

Corporate limits lifted with Supreme Court campaign finance ruling

Supreme Court campaign finance ruling

Today, the Supreme Courts campaign finance ruling lifted limits on how much corporations can spend to support political candidates. Supporters of Supreme Courts campaign finance ruling say that The First Amendment protects the rights of private corporations, including payday loan companies, to donate as they see fit.

The text and purpose of the First Amendment point in the same direction: Congress may not prohibit political speech, even if the speaker is a corporation or union. Chief Justice John Roberts

However, opponents say the Supreme Courts campaign finance ruling will destroy the political landscape by allowing corporations to control elections.

With its ruling today, the Supreme Court has given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics. It is a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans, President Barack Obama.

Voices of not-so-everyday Americans

The Supreme Court campaign finance ruling was by no means unanimous. Justice John Paul Stevens said the ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions. But Theodore Olson of Citizens United said the courts decision vindicates the right of individuals to engage in core political speech.

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., observed that the laws the Supreme Court has lifted have been in place since the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. John McCain said I am disappointed by the decision of the Supreme Court and the lifting of the limits on corporate and union contributions.” House Republican leader John Boehner called it a “big win.” In other words, the nation’s leadership are split on whether the Supreme Court’s campaign finance ruling is something to bless or to blame.

Its all about marketing

Private businesses with a lot of capital have always been able to financially support candidates who will protect their personal interests. For instance, health insurance companies donate campaign finance dollars to politicians who oppose universal health care or any other system that could case the insurance companies to lose money. Opponents of the Supreme Courts campaign finance ruling believe that huge donations from private corporations will allow candidates to develop unbeatable marketing campaigns because they can afford it.

The active part of this equation is how easily the public is manipulated. It all comes down to marketing. Marketing can make or break a product, and the same is true for politicians. Now that corporations are free to orchestrate campaigns for candidates though campaign finance dollars, its up to us, the voters, to find out who is pulling the strings when a candidate gets on stage.

CNN: Inside the Supreme Court