The Supreme Court just ruled on the McCain-Feingold Campaign finance reform law and already feathers are flying. In a 5-4 vote the court overturned many of the limits on campaign spending for corporations. Some thought of the decision as a big victory others say it is Un-American… but many out there seem to be missing the bottom line.
The Supreme Court does not make law they simply compare existing laws to the standard, the United States Constitution. Criticism of the Supreme Court is not justified simply because one does not like the outcome. Many would argue that this was a bad decision-a poor interpretation of the law-and the 5-4 vote could support this conclusion. But if it is a bad decision only those with expertise in law could debate it fairly in this writer’s humble opinion.
As for the opinion of the court, to sum it up Justice Kennedy wrote this: “Distinguishing wealthy individuals from corporations… does not suffice to allow laws prohibiting speech… All speakers, including individuals and the media, use money amassed from the economic marketplace to fund their speech, and the First Amendment protects the resulting speech.” The dissenting opinion believes the majority made an error when comparing corporate speech to the rights of human beings.
The decision allows corporations to vote with their money, by taking out ads supporting and criticizing candidates. Many believe this will lead to even more corruption in the political scene. Possibly, but that is not the underlying issue. There will always be corruption as long as we have politicians that bend to it. It is a poor argument to say because our politicians aren’t strong enough in their values we need to punish corporations.
And why would this be punishment to corporations? Corporations act in their best interest in everything they do. From hiring to business decisions and policies, everything is done for the good of the corporation. These businesses are a major part of our economy and their ability to act in their best interest helps ensure their continued prosperity. Political decisions can have a major impact on their continued profitability. Where this gets out of hand is when businesses buy off crooked politicians in exchange for support.
Bad decision or not it is done, at least for the moment. If further action is determined to be necessary then perhaps an amendment to the Constitution spelling out campaign finance reform or the limits of corporations is in order. This would solve the problem altogether. What’s your opinion?
1. Hey Big Spender! Supreme Court Cuts Limits on Corp Campaign Spending
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
George,
Oh you mention cops, teachers, fire-fighters… all union employees. Amazing that isn’t it.
George,
You are welcome to your opinion. I can’t make the mule drink the watter I can only show him the stream.
OK Consti,
The next time a whole corporation is sent to jail because the corporation is at fault, but they can’t specifically point the finger at one person, please be sure to let me know…Let’s hope it’s not a corporation like IBM or your beloved Wal-mart, because there is not enough jail space to hold them all.
Your explanation of government jobs is so run-around, it’s a joke…Just try telling a cop who stops you for a speeding ticket or a teacher who wants to give your kid an “F” that tehy are employed by the people and as a person, you are their boss…I’m sure they’ll hop to and do exactly as you say, boss man…
What does Wal-mart have to do with campaign finance funding and the rights of individuals vs. corporations? Dude, seriously…
Still didn’t even touch the argument of the ability of American citizens to double dip on rights or the foreigners that will be granted the same as citizens through corporations…
Breathe- I know it’s difficult, but it will help…
George,
Ha! Nice. You make a claim that corporations can’t be prosecuted. I point out you are incorrect. If you don’t understand don’t blame the messenger. Government is not a corporation, there fore you are an employee of the PEOPLE if you are a government worker. So in fact the government doesn’t create jobs. Add to that the government contracts out workers just like corporations so. So not ALL government workers are even actually employed buy the government. If you are going to talk about corporate responsibility make sure you include the role of the public. As you pointed out in other comments we have to take our share of that responsibility.
Therefore if you don’t like the responsibility shown by wal-mart as a corporation don’t shop there. That is how you show your dissatisfaction for the corporation. Surprising I should have to spell that out.
Um, unless proof can be shown that a particular member is directly responsible or knowledgeably failed to prevent a known bad act, then a corporation cannot be prosecuted for a crime. How do you put an entire corporation on trial for murder if their product killed someone but there is no paper trail to show that any one person knew anything? You can’t…All anyone can do is sue, and if the GOP had their way you wouldn’t be able to do that either. Corporations did just fine even when they were not considered the same as a person and given rights.
Do you even have a clue as to what the Supreme Court was talking about, cause from your comments you obviously don’t…What does anything I had to say have anything to do with corproations and jobs, or everyone becoming government employees? It doesn’t, but you want to use it an an excuse to go on a tirade. And Walmart…WTF? Who said word one about Walmart?
OK, I’ll play…I guess all those government employees you constantly complain about that are nothing but bloat are actually employed by corporations? And the military? And police? And fire fighters? Need I continue? If corporations only create 60% of the jobs in this country, who creates the other 40? If the government doesn’t create job one, then did these jobs come from outer space?
Consti Tution, get your head out of your arse…Maybe you’ll get more oxygen to your brain and start to make some sense or make a point…
George
Eh, just one little point. Corporations CAN go to jail. The CEO and or certain board members can be prosecuted for the crimes the company commits. Example, immigration violations. I got a question for you. Who employees the public? Corporations. Who creates over 60% of the jobs in this country? Corporations. The government doesn’t create job 1 the private sector does. If you start to set government limits on BIG business that also effects SMALL business. Which effects the employees. Which in turn effects the economy. And so forth. Would you have everyone be government employees? While you are at it why not just give away property rights this way the government can own and be responsible for your home. You won’t have to. Cradle to the grave, but I’ll be damned if I sit still and let that happen.
If you don’t like the way Wal-Mart does business don’t shop there.
I have an issue with corporations having the same rights as you or I because as a corporation they do not have the same level of reponsibility. A corproation cannot be imprisoned for their crimes, they can only be sued in court. And since everything illegal they do is done with a cost/benefit approach, they have already decided the profits are worth the fine or damages award IF they get caught or sued, so no biggie to them.
Until a corproation shares in ALL the responsibilities that go along with the rights enjoyed by citizens, they should not share the priviledges grated by rights.
It is not buying politicians that is the issue here, it is buying voters. Since most people take whatever they hear on TV and on blogs and oped on the Internet as gospel truth, any lie gets repeated and memorialized until it might as well be the truth because it is perceived that way. For proof, just read some of the stuff on this site. With the kind of money corporations have at their disposal, multiply what is currently going on by a million, or ten, or hundred- heck, who’s counting? Nobody now…