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I remember the morning in January 2010 when I heard the news about the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United. Considering what that ruling has done to undermine our democracy since then, I realize my sense of dread was appropriate.
The 5-4 ruling in Citizens United unleashed massive amounts of money now influencing elections and thereby public policy. It ruled that money equals speech, so limiting spending by corporations was unconstitutional. Unwittingly, the justices in the majority did not think that independent political spending represented a substantive threat of corruption (Brennan Center for Justice).
Wealthy donors, corporations and special interest groups have more political influence than ever. The Brennan Center concludes that “… perhaps the most significant outcome has been the creation of super PACs (political action committees), empowering the wealthiest donors and the expansion of ‘dark money’ donations which can’t be traced to the donors.” Financial power purchases political power. In essence, we have the best Congress money can buy.
There’s real hope on the horizon though with the “For Our Freedom” amendment to the Constitution proposed by American Promise. The amendment would allow states and Congress to address out-of-control political spending. Former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe is on the advisory council of American Promise and states, “I hope all Americans can come together with American Promise to help in this urgent, cross-partisan work.”
Please visit American Promise’s website. Take the pledge. Volunteer. Help return political power in the country to us, individual citizens, the backbone of democracy.
Mary Ann Larson
Bangor
