Justices, 5-4, Reject Corporate Spending Limit (NY Times)
Overruling two important precedents about the First Amendment rights of corporations, a bitterly divided Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the government may not ban political spending by corporations in candidate elections.
Is there anyone — other than the corporations and lobbyists, of course — who likes this ruling? Corporations are not people and don’t deserve the same First Amendment protection.
The founders of this nation warned about the dangers of corporate influence. The Constitution they wrote mentions many things and assigns them rights and protections — the people, militias, the press, religions. But it does not mention corporations. (The Court’s Blow to Democracy)
The Supreme Court has handed lobbyists a new weapon. A lobbyist can now tell any elected official: if you vote wrong, my company, labor union or interest group will spend unlimited sums explicitly advertising against your re-election. (Lobbyists Get Potent Weapon in Campaign Ruling)
Perhaps it’s time to update Old Glory…
