Supreme Court to decide constitutionality of Arizona's public campaign finance law

[kpete]

Source: Washington Post

Supreme Court to decide constitutionality of Arizona's public campaign finance law

By Robert Barnes
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 29, 2010; 11:43 AM

The Supreme Court will again review government efforts to level the playing field for political candidates, agreeing to decide the constitutionality of Arizona's law to distribute campaign subsidies to publicly funded candidates who face big-spending opponents.

The decision was not a surprise, as justices in June had blocked a portion of the state's 12-year-old Clean Elections program, which authorizes public money for state candidates who bypass most private fundraising. The court stopped the state from providing "matching funds" to those candidates who face opponents spending large amounts of their own money, or outside groups that target them.

Opponents of the law said it unconstitutionally limited the free speech of the privately funded candidates, who were forced to cut back their spending to avoid enabling their opponents receive more public money.

The outcome of the case could have enormous consequences for public campaign finance efforts, which are based on the notion that providing public funds for campaigns reduces the potential for corruption that can come with private fundraising.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/29/AR2010112902701.html

[Mz Pip]

1. I don't have much hope for this

The court has ruled that money equals speech before.

[ProudDad]

8. I'm afraid you're right...

One COULD make the argument asking if the "speech" of the rich is entitled to more protection from the Court than the speech of the poor...

That is, if a rich person CHOOSES to spend more money than the (presumably) poor person who qualifies for public financing, isn't the poor person deserving of more funding in order to get an equal access to free speech?

I'm not sure if they'll make that argument -- or even if they did the elitist Court would grant poor people equal rights with the rich self financers...

I'm afraid we're in for the end of public financing in Arizona...

[rurallib]

2. Well, I guess I would bet that big money will win again.

This SCOTUS will be the enduring legacy of Bushco.

[alp227]

7. "$mirk." --RiChimp n/t

[texshelters]

3. Public Money=Bad, Corporate Money= Good

If the money is public, it's not free speech; if the money is corporate, it is free speech. Or hadn't you heard?

The lack of logic of these asshole Justices is amazing. Is this the best the law profession could give us?

Peace,
Tex Shelters
http://texshelters.wordpress.com/

[valerief]

4. They're all despots. nt

[ProfessionalLeftist]

5. "If the money is public, it's not free speech; if the money is corporate, it is free speech."

I think you summed up their f*cking hypocrisy pretty well right there. :mad:

[madrchsod]

6. not a chance in hell they will rule for real people.