After the unprecedented amounts of undisclosed money spent on political advertising in the most recent mid-term elections, Americans of all political persuasions should demand the passage of THE DISCLOSE ACT.
It is estimated that in this election spending cost $4 billion, tens of millions undisclosed. (The 2000 Presidential election was $3.1 billion). In this election millionaire farmers from Ohio were able to donate as much as they wanted to Rob Portman without being identified. And of course they are hoping that good ol' Rob will help them continue to receive millions of dollars in agricultural subsidies -- a welfare program for the wealthy- a golden cow for corporations, even though the corporation might consist of two farmers.
As a result of the activist 5-4 decision of the Supreme Court (Citizens United), corporations are equated with individuals and entitled to give as much as they choose and not required to disclose their identity. With the absence of disclosure, it will be impossible to even question a "quid pro quo." Looks to me much like legalized deal-making.
THE DISCLOSE ACT was passed by the House in June, but blocked by Senate Republicans.
If we want the rest of the world to look to us for the way democracy works, we have to pass this act or we will appear to have a plutocracy rather than a democracy.
If corporations want the same rights to free speech as individuals, they should have the cajones to identify themselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment