The absurdity of the republican primary has set me to thinking about the catastrophic Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court. How anyone in their right mind could think that what this county needs is more corporate money in politics is totally beyond me.
(photo: seth_schneider)
In the dissenting opinion in the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote:
“A democracy cannot function effectively when its constituent members believe laws are being bought and sold.”
According to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) , “Americans are profoundly disgusted by the Citizens United decision and what it means for our democracy.”
That's why Sanders is trying to build momentum for an amendment to overturn Citizens United. The Saving American Democracy Amendment states that:
- Corporations are not persons with constitutional rights equal to real people.
- Corporations are subject to regulation by the people.
- Corporations may not make campaign contributions or any election expenditures.
- Congress and states have the power to regulate campaign finances.
The New Mexico state legislature passed a measure calling on congress to overturn Citizens United. You can read about this almost nowhere in mainstream news. Several other states and local governments have introduced similar measures to similar lack of fanfare. Among them, Hawaii and California, and towns in Massachusetts and Vermont.
Organized opposition to Citizens United
- Amend2012 a project of Common Cause
- Free Speech For People (FSFP) is a national, non-partisan campaign seeking to restore democracy to the people and to ensure that people, not corporations, govern in America. FSFP is dedicated to overturning, through a 28th Amendment to the US Constitution, the US Supreme Court’s January 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. FEC and a corporate rights doctrine, which threatens our elections and our self-government.
- Corporations Are Not People
- Move To Amend End corporate rule. Legitimize democracy.
More News
- Mass. activists: Overturn Citizens United ruling
- The National Conference of State Legislatures on Citizens United and the States
- How Do We Overturn Citizens United? The occupy movement opposes Citizens United.
- Voters Can Fix the Court's Citizens United Mistake
- California Moves Towards Overturning Citizens United: The California state Assembly endorsed a constitutional amendment to repeal Citizens United. The amendment passed by a 48-22 vote.
- This is How Overturning Citizens’ United Starts
- New York Assembly Committee Approves Resolution Calling For A Constitutional Amendment To Overturn Citizens United
- Montana wins states' backing over Citizens United fight
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