Welp, So Much for That

[forsyth]

Well, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that "companies have a free-speech right to spend as much as they wish to persuade voters to elect or defeat candidates for Congress and the White House."

Which is, of course, sheerest bullshit, because a corporation is not a person, and has no "free speech rights". Nice to know bribery's legal now, though. This is a hell of a lot more important than some nut winning an election in Massachusetts. And bodes much much worse for our country.

The Worst Presidency Ever is a gift that just keeps on giving.

Comments

[kjatar.livejournal.com]

That's... frightening, actually.

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes it is. Apparently they can't directly bribe donate to campaigns, but they can spend a zillion dollars on ads for or against candidates, which kinda makes it irrelevant.

Which is a much bigger threat to government of, by, and for the people than any election in MA.

[kjatar.livejournal.com]

Uh-huh. Hell, they could even spend the money in ways dictated by the campaign managers, I imagine. Haven't exactly seen much reporting on this today, either. Big shock, right?

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

Why would they bother? Corporations have much better ad people on retainer than politicians do.

[kjatar.livejournal.com]

Okay, good point.

[gumbamasta.livejournal.com]

Eh, as far as it was explained to me the decision lifts some restrictions on their free-speech right that crop out sixty days before an election. So far, as I understand it, only the media could actually "advertise" their preverd candidates that way.

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

Not exactly. The original case was over the 30/60 day limits, brought by a right wing interest group that made a movie about Hillary Clinton they wanted to show on Pay Per View. And if that had been all that was decided, that'd have been fine.

But the 5 "conservative" justices on the Supreme Court decided that no, they should toss out any limits at all on spending for elections by any kind of corporation at all. So now corporations can make donations from their own treasuries, or buy their own ads, with no limits.

[gumbamasta.livejournal.com]

So I suppose that is bad?