On the 15th anniversary of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, critics denounce the decision's impact on American democracy, highlighting increased corporate spending and influence in elections. The ruling, they argue, has paved the way for super PACs, dark money, and the undue influence of wealthy individuals and corporations, undermining the principle of equal representation.
As President Donald Trump triumphantly returned to the White House thanks in part to a tsunami of campaign cash from oligarchs and corporate interests, democracy defenders on Tuesday marked the 15th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that unleashed such spending by urging action to overturn the decision. In a nation where corporations and moneyed interests already wielded disproportionate power and influence over elections, Citizens United v.
Federal Election Commission reversed campaign finance restrictions dating back to the era of Gilded Age robber barons. The ruling affirmed that political spending by corporations, nonprofit organizations, labor unions, and other groups is a form of free speech protected by the 1st Amendment that government cannot restrict. The decision ushered in the era of super PACs—which can raise unlimited amounts of money to spend on campaigns—and secret spending on elections with so-called 'dark money.' In his Citizens United dissent, Justice John Paul Stevens asserted that 'in a functioning democracy the public must have faith that its representatives owe their positions to the people, not to the corporations with the deepest pockets,' and warned that the ruling 'will undoubtedly cripple the ability of ordinary citizens, Congress, and the states to adopt even limited measures to protect against corporate domination of the electoral process.' 'Over the last 15 years, the American people have watched with disgust as both parties welcomed the unfettered sale of our democracy and elections to the highest bidders,' said Alexandra Rojas, executive director of the progressive political action committee Justice Democrats. 'Citizens United legalized economic inequality as a political tool for the wealthy to exploit,' Rojas added. 'A decade-and-a-half later, working-class people cannot afford to run for office and everyday voters' voices are drowned out by billionaire-funded super PACs. As long as Citizens United remains the law of the land, our democracy will remain broken.' Justice Democrats noted: 'Yesterday, Donald Trump was inaugurated as president in what was maybe one of the most openly corporate-sponsored inaugurations in American history. In just one row seated in front of Trump's Cabinet members, four men had the combined wealth of just under $1 trillion.' 'Billionaires and corporations are paying their way to gain influence in the Trump administration and they can expect a massive return on their investment, at the expense of everyday people,' the group added. It's no surprise, say critics, that corporate profits and plutocrat wealth have soared to new heights during the Citizens United era. 'Citizens United allowed corporations to buy candidates and elections. Citizens United legalized political bribery. Citizens United let wealth dominate our elections,' the consumer watchdog Public Citizen said Tuesday. 'Overturn Citizens United.' Positing that 'Citizens United turned our democracy into an auction,' Congressman Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) wrote on social media Tuesday that 'our government is supposed to be of the people, by the people, and for the people—not corporations and billionaire elites. We must #EndCitizensUnited and put the American people back in charge.' Democratic lawmakers have introduced numerous bills, including proposed constitutional amendments, to reverse Citizens United. While Congress has not been able or willing to address the issue, 22 states and the District of Columbia, as well as more than 800 local governments across the country, have passed measures calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn the ruling, according to Public Citizen
CITIZENS UNITED CAMPAIGN FINANCE CORPORATE INFLUENCE DEMOCRACY ELECTIONS SUPER PACS DARK MONEY
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What Could Citizens’ Assemblies Do for American Politics?An Oregon county is looking for solutions to youth homelessness—so it convened a random selection of residents to come up with ideas. Nick Romeo reports.
Read more »
American Citizens Sue Maduro for Torture and 'Criminal Enterprise'Two American citizens, Matthew Heath and Osman Khan, filed a lawsuit against Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, alleging unjust detention, torture, and use as bargaining chips in negotiations with the U.S. They accuse the Maduro regime of systematic acts of violence and coercion to extract concessions from the U.S. government.
Read more »
Biden Administration Accused of Illegally Sanctioning American Citizens in IsraelA federal lawsuit claims the Biden administration is unconstitutionally sanctioning American citizens in Israel and the West Bank, violating their due process and equal protection rights.
Read more »
3 Chinese citizens sentenced to 7 years in prison for illegal mining in CongoThree Chinese citizens have been sentenced to 7 years in prison and ordered to pay $600,000 in fines for illegally exploiting mineral resources in Congo, according to court filings.
Read more »
‘American Primeval’ Review: Netflix’s Violent, Bloody Saga Of The American Frontier Is A Harrowing WatchNetflix’s new Western series is a bleak and bloody affair.
Read more »
Peter Berg's 'American Primeval': A Brutally Honest Look at the Birth of the American WestDirector Peter Berg delves into the violent and gritty expansion of the American West in his new Netflix series, 'American Primeval'. He discusses the importance of authenticity, the challenges of filming on location, and the inherent violence of humanity with Collider.
Read more »