DU legal eagles. Are there any points of law or the Constitution

[mmonk]

that could be used against either a governmental committee (such as with healthcare) or lobbying firm whether as an individual lawsuit or class action based on it being a money access approach that denies other voices a right to be considered?

[dflprincess]

1. I think Thom Hartmann talks about a Supreme Court decision

that give corporations personhood and says that their campaign "contributions" are protected by free speech.

Assuming I'm remembering what Hartmann said correctly, the answer to your question is probably "no".

[mmonk]

3. But poll taxes are illegal and this operates on the same principle.

[dflprincess]

6. I don't think so

poll taxes deal with voting rights; the court looks at the bribes paid as free speech rights. The fact you can't buy as much "free speech" as Exxon or United Health Group does not prevent you from exercising your right.

But I'm not a lawyer so maybe an argument could be made for what you suggest.

[mmonk]

7. I see it as nullifying the worth of my vote by denying equal access.

Same as a poll tax.

[TexasObserver]

2. No, and the prevailing current law only helps them buy their lying commercials.

Thank your GOP judges to the federal bench, who have used post civil war amendments to help the forces of evil spend whatever they want promoting their beliefs and objectives.

[Eric J in MN]

4. No, because it's legal bribery.

If lobbyists engaged in illegal bribery, maybe someone could sue them for it, but you can't sue lobbyists who are following the law, even if the law is terrible.

[joeybee12]

5. Point of law, no...although you might try and make a case that the Constitution

forbids this...not sure how, but any good lawyer can argue anything...the make-up of the current courts, however, wouldn't buy it. I might, but I don't matter.

[Laelth]

8. Governmental committees have official immunity ...

Government officials are, generally, speaking, immune from suit for acts they take in their official capacities. If lobbyists break the law, they may be susceptible to criminal charges. As long as what they're doing is legal, however, it's unlikely that you would win a civil suit against them on equal protection grounds.

The Supreme Court has ruled that money=speech (protected by the 1st Amendment). Those with more money get more speech. Until that ruling is overturned, legalized bribery remains the law of the United States.

:dem:

-Laelth

[truedelphi]

9. Against the insurance "providers" themselves _ RICO n/t