To the editor:
Thursday, Jan. 21 marked the sixth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Commission decision. This ruling declared that corporations are people, with the same Constitutional rights as humans, and that the money they donate to political campaigns is free speech.
Eighty percent of American citizens from all points on the political spectrum have the common sense to know that this is balderdash. It puts the average citizen at a distinct disadvantage in the process of choosing and electing a representative government while candidates grovel at the feet of wealthy donors. We see the result of this ruling in the circus that is the primary campaign season. We see it in the incessant and disagreeable campaign ads paid for by organizations that are not directly affiliated with the candidates, but instead push the agenda of entities hiding behind seemingly innocuous Super Pacs.
It's time to reclaim the campaign funding process, removing big money from electoral politics. We need our own voices to be heard in both the state and federal capitols, not the "voice" of those who would sway lawmakers with obscene amounts of money. We can achieve true, comprehensive campaign finance reform if we, as Americans, unite across party lines and work as one to kick big money out.
In April and November of this year, communities across Green County will be holding advisory referendums to let our state and federal representatives know that it's time to amend the U.S. Constitution to specify that corporations and other artificial entities are not people and that money is not speech. Look for flyers and community service ads with information on upcoming county-wide informational meetings, or go to gcuta.org/ to sign up for email updates.
Thursday, Jan. 21 marked the sixth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Commission decision. This ruling declared that corporations are people, with the same Constitutional rights as humans, and that the money they donate to political campaigns is free speech.
Eighty percent of American citizens from all points on the political spectrum have the common sense to know that this is balderdash. It puts the average citizen at a distinct disadvantage in the process of choosing and electing a representative government while candidates grovel at the feet of wealthy donors. We see the result of this ruling in the circus that is the primary campaign season. We see it in the incessant and disagreeable campaign ads paid for by organizations that are not directly affiliated with the candidates, but instead push the agenda of entities hiding behind seemingly innocuous Super Pacs.
It's time to reclaim the campaign funding process, removing big money from electoral politics. We need our own voices to be heard in both the state and federal capitols, not the "voice" of those who would sway lawmakers with obscene amounts of money. We can achieve true, comprehensive campaign finance reform if we, as Americans, unite across party lines and work as one to kick big money out.
In April and November of this year, communities across Green County will be holding advisory referendums to let our state and federal representatives know that it's time to amend the U.S. Constitution to specify that corporations and other artificial entities are not people and that money is not speech. Look for flyers and community service ads with information on upcoming county-wide informational meetings, or go to gcuta.org/ to sign up for email updates.
