The Supreme Court decision really won't change things that much

[iceman66]

Big corporations ALREADY have near-absolute control over the media and our elected leaders.

The recent health care debacle is proof enough of that.

In a practical sense, it is difficult to see how the system can get that much worse.

It is an awful decision, don't get me wrong. There's just not a lot of room for movement here.

[madrchsod]

1. we`ll be able to actually see just how much they really do spend

[AlinPA]

6. What will they care what we know or think about it?

[madrchsod]

10. they won`t ..hell they do`t now.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. I think there are ways for it to get worse.

For example, a candidate can at least still buy political ads; what if a well-heeled corp just comes in & buys up all the available time for their guy?

[iceman66]

4. It will get worse.

It just won't be as dramatic a change as most people seem to be expecting.

[Alias Dictus Tyrant]

3. How about states?

I would imagine there are State elections that already allow it (there are for most things) in their elections. Should provide some data points.

[doc03]

8. You take the state of Ohio if the Exxon wants Senator

Sherrod Brown out it would be nothing for them to speed a few million to get it done. You are going to see them put billions into unseating every Democrat, what do we have a few dollars from a Union.

[AlinPA]

5. Think about several large companies putting $25Billion and splitting it among

the republican house and senate candidates.
$47million plus goes a long way for any candidate.

[Alias Dictus Tyrant]

7. probably cheaper to buy them directly.

[iceman66]

12. They will reach a point of diminishing returns long before that.

The corporations already have total control over the media narrative - look at the Massachusetts Senate race.

The politicians themselves are already for sale to the highest bidder, and that is why we don't have a decent health care bill.

There is only so much more they can spend before risking over-saturation, which could create a backlash.

[spanone]

9. now it will be legal and we know the truth has no place in selling politicians.

this is criminal.

[iceman66]

14. This might actually be a good thing in the long run,

if it results in some real campaign finance reform. It has certainly drawn a lot of attention to the issue.

Also, as a result of this ruling, the 'conservative' judicial philosophy is finally revealed for all the world to be the sham that we always knew it to be.

One can hardly imagine a more extreme example of 'judicial activism' than what this court has done today.

[Land Shark]

11. Baloney: Without spending a dime they can now control congress (deterrent threat of $1M ad war)

[iceman66]

13. They've been doing just that for years.