1/21/2010: It's Official, Democracy is Dead

[G_j]

Supreme Court Strikes Down Key Campaign-Finance Provision
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7530320

[BeFree]

1. Yep

That and another diebold election.

Well, it was fun.

[YOY]

2. This is a far greater tragedy than most folks will ever realize.

This is why we are fucked as a state.

[TornadoTN]

11. Far worse than the election in Massachusetts

This is a major blow to any hope that we might have of shedding corporate domination from our government.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. K&R

[bigwillq]

4. This is terrible.

:( :mad:

[liberal N proud]

5. GREED rules

Fascism has consumed this once mighty nation.

Here is the next US Senator:

[G_j]

8. yes, that it what it is

no exaggeration

[TexasObserver]

6. Yes, it is THAT threatening to democracy in this country.

[Subdivisions]

7. Yes. And yet another 5-4 ruling...

Seems every decision like this comes down to a one-vote majority...

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-21/u-s-supreme-court-voids-corporate-campaign-spending-curbs.html

[Skink]

9. This just makes slush funds a bit more accountable.

nothings changed.

[G_j]

10. more accountable?

where do you get that?

[Orangepeel]

15. IF Congress passes stronger disclosure laws, which the court explicitly says they can do, it may

result in greater accountability.

I don't like this ruling, but I don't think it will be the death of Democracy.

It wasn't like corporations were stopped from skirting the rules as they were. They set up PACs like Club for Growth and funded the ads that way. These ads are ostensibly focused on issues rather than candidates and technically can't coordinate with campaigns, but it was easy enough for them to say "Call Senator X and thank him for this support of this issue" or use language that made it clear who they thought you should support or oppose. I don't know how the new law affects PACs, but loosening rules about advertising won't make them any worse and strengthening disclosure laws would make them better.

Now, it seems, Exxon can say directly, "Vote for Senator X." But, Congress can make them say "Exxon paid for this ad."

The worst part of the SCOTUS ruling, IMO, is that it struck down the time limits that said PACs couldn't advertise a week before federal elections. I think that will be annoying as hell and will make it harder to fight against political slander, although I think the view that it will kill Democracy is extreme.

[G_j]

12. where are the "I want my country back" teabaggers? nt

[Blue Owl]

13. WELCOME BEAUTIFUL FASCISM

Let us flood the homeland with the propaganda, lies, spin, and bullshit of our corporate overlords.

Let's top off the tub and drown this democracy.


:sarcasm:

[Odin2005]

14. Fascism has come to America.

[w8liftinglady]

18. and it didn't have to wrap itself in a flag..just money.

[TheWatcher]

19. It's been here for awhile.

They just aren't bothering to hide it anymore. :(

[L0oniX]

16. Is there a point to being in a political party anymore?

[G_j]

17. maybe not

I know one thing, the airwaves will certainly become (even more) unbearable,