Bad news for a Democracy already battered by partisan politics, political muckraking, a multi-billion lobbying business, Senators on the take, and politicians that can't keep their pants on: Today, the Supreme Court struck down a 63-year-old prohibition on corporations running their own political ads, with their own money. Now every corporation in America with the money can publicly batter the chances of any would-be elected official who does not support their causes.
The decision essentially puts any corporation with deep pockets in a position to influence political elections through the media. Instead of just seeing ads run by political action committees, get ready to see Big Oil running off the next eco-friendly politician that mentions solar energy or opposes offshore drilling. Prepare for the fast food industry to trash the candidate that supports any additional taxation on foods that make the nation unhealthy and a drain on the health care system. Look forward to the chemical and pesticide makers of America putting all of their love and support behind the candidate that wants to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency...it's all possible and will be very real when the November elections heat up.
But don't take our word for it, read the President's own response to this ruling:
"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. This ruling
gives the special interests and their lobbyists even more power in
Washington--while undermining the influence of average Americans who
make small contributions to support their preferred candidates. That's
why I am instructing my Administration to get to work immediately with
Congress on this issue. We are going to talk with bipartisan
Congressional leaders to develop a forceful response to this decision.
The public interest requires nothing less."
AP VIDEO EXPLAINING RULING
