Koch Brothers and the Supreme Court Death Blow to Democracy

[2beebruin]

"No restrictions" on deciding our elections? Is that right Bathtub Boy? You mean corporations now have unrestricted access to voters brains, and will take control of minds like the Twilight Zone took control of TVs? No longer can we simply make a choice - to actually think, to make a choice, and make decision who to vote for, now, according to you, you fat ball of verbosity corporations will decided who I vote for. To borrow from your hackneyed phrasing - you, sirrrr, are an idiot"

[thephleblady]

This is so true...so wrong. Time to wake up America and fight back. Corporate America runs America now. They are taking away your rights, you constitional rights. America was supposed to be the land of the free......just look at how many of your rights are gone now. Using fear as it's platform to strip you of any dissent.

[rriverstone1]

well, thanks 4 cheering me up, Sparky. scuse me, I gotta go back to my poverty now...

[skywolf8113]

The time for the second American Revolution has come.

[skywolf8113]

Welcome to the beginning of third-world status in America

[skywolf8113]

STOP SHOPPING AT WAL-MART

[skywolf8113]

Will be ???



[AtomHeartPuppy]

bullshit. now we arm ourselves...now we fight!

[TheJayEffkay]

KOCHS FOR THE WIN

FUCK THIS DELUDED LOSER OLBER-FAG

CAPITALISM RULES< CORPORATIONS ARE AWESOME

[acchokiefan]

Koch brothers grandfather was an UNREPENTED NAZI....people, it is in their DNA. Once, the Lord told His army to attack a village and kill every man, woman child and even their cattle and take no spoils. By allowing a single NAZI to live, now we have their DNA still alive in the world. Does that sound too extreme? Truly, I'd like some feedback. Anybody want to dispute the bible? Evil has only the agenda of evil. Look at what theynhave done to our wonderful country. It is the likes of the Koch Br

[chasm47000]

I don't think they hate America, but they do want America back to what it was in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Fred Koch 1 of the founders of John Birch Society which was a political group, against communism and civil rights. Yes CIVIL RIGHTS which means they were against GOVERNMENT CONTROL but they were for GOVERNMENT DENYING RIGHTS TO ITS CITIZENS. HYPOCRITICAL FRED KOCH WAS. As we see the Koch brothers are continuing there fathers racist and destructive political reform for there selfish benefit.

[ballrude1]

Wow, this is like a prediction of exactly what is going down in Wisconsin right now! Koch brothers are the ultimate masons. The poor people will grow in alarming numbers

[jerthemessiah]

The Kochs gave the ACLU $20 million to fight the PATRIOT Act.

Horray for the Kochs!

Defenders of freedom!!

[starlight1946]

He gave us a lot of reality and truths. Have you noticed such public voices get eliminated when they are exposing evil doers.

[stewartx5]

If not people (citizens), who exactly runs the corporations in America? And, if they are in fact people (citizens), why should they exclusively be denied the right to donate (their money) to the politicians or political parties of their choice?

And don't be fooled by such alarmist nonsense. Politicians are never going to pander solely to the wealthy, at least not while we (voters) are willing to run their tails right out of office. If we fail to do so, we really have nobody else to blame.

[Bulldogs5595]

@stewartx5 The collection of people allows for a lack of moral and ethical values. Because they are not just one "person" it allows for a lack of responsibility and the sole goal is wealth, yet no guilt. A corporation is not a "person", it is something much, much bigger. Because a corporation does not represent the will of the people that it gains its money through, then really they should be denied the right to donate such extreme amounts of money to sway Politicians

[stewartx5]

@Bulldogs5595

Oh, come on. You're trying to draw an absurdly fine line between corporate executives and everyone else. Every single one of us gains money from someone else (an employer, customers of a business, etc). None of those contributors to our wealth have a right to tell us how to spend that money. Likewise, "moral" or "ethical" values don't attenuate our rights to contribute, whatever the amount. Corporations headed by those execs should be no different.

[ye4jim]

@stewartx5, Nonsense ! Giving corporations such power is the same as having our laws written by one person out of 1000. When a corporation flexes it's political muscles it's only a reflection of the few whose personal pathologies drove them to seek power and wealth. Therefore they are using the power of a corporation to further their own self-interests in a way they would never be able to do on their own.

[sfjeff1089]

@stewartx5 Corporations are run by the people who are able to claw their way to the top. Some deserve it for hard work, some do not deserve it and are better at politics, or perhaps simply more ruthless.

The ones that played politics to get there are the same ones that will and already are playing politics to re-write the laws of this country. Do you want your laws written by the worst one person out of a thousand?

[stewartx5]

@sfjeff1089

Your description (some corporate heads work hard, some play politics, some are ruthless, etc) fits a great many in this country. I've seen nothing to suggest corporate heads as a whole are significantly better or worse then most others.

[meadbert]

If the Bill of Rights did not apply to corporations then Free Speech would not apply to Media Companies or Universities. Freedom of Religion would not apply to Churches.

Freedom of speech is a right of the people, not an individual right.

Unlike voting, speaking involves multiple parties. You need both the speaker and the listener.

[meadbert]

The 1886 decision which said corporations had the same rights as individuals came about when California attempted to discriminate against Black owned businesses.

The Supreme Court ruled correctly that discriminating against black owned corporations is the same as discriminating against black individuals and illegal under the 14th amendment. This was a unanimous decision.

[thekidde63]

@meadbert The actual decision was the opposite of what you say. The "decision" passed down is from a footnote written by the court clerk. This is bullshit. Corporations don't have the rights of individuals and they, unfortunately, don't have the obligations under the law. They can fuck people over, pay their executives obscene compensation and get away with fines. I say kill em.

[meadbert]

Foreigners have the same free speech rights in America as Americans.

Free speech exists to protect the listener as well as the speaker.

Congress cannot ban "On the Origin of the Species" just because Charles Darwin is not an American.

All people and associations of people have free speech.

The founders did not grant us the first amendment so we could watch porn. They wanted to make sure that all people had the right to criticize politicians in the run up to elections!

[zulu45]

And check out Opensecrets' website. It shows the massive union support to liberals... but I guess that's ok, right Keith? Hypocrisy, thy name is Keith Olbermann.

[zulu45]

I really don't agree with this ruling, but the real hypocrisy is how radicals like George Soros, and all the corrupt unions shovel money to the liberals, and nobody says a damn thing about it, including Keith (a proven liberal shill). I'm 100% against this ruling, but I don't see the liberal shills condemning the massive influence and donations from corrupt unions. Hmmm, do as we say, not as we do?

Corporations, NOR unions should be contributing. But Keith here is off his rocker, as usual.

[1961arnie]

the real problem is some of us Americans the tea party members are smart enough to even know that there getting fucked and won't even listen to the voice of reason telling them whats going on it's sad

[iue850dave]

Thank for handing us over to the corporations judge!! You jackass

[regina627]

dddddddddddddddhdgLWIHJBDdbLDB­LBDLijbdcld

[regina627]

Some important limits do remain intact: Corporations still cannot give money directly to federal candidates or national party committees. That ban dates to 1907. The justices also upheld some other restrictions, including disclosure requirements for nonprofit groups that advocate for political candidates.

[regina627]

I am a tea party member and I agree with Keith. This needs to be overturned. Corporations are not individuals. period. They will control politician's and our future. They will control our health care, our retirement, and every aspect of our lives will be controlled by corporations, (we all feared the government, but corporations will even be worse). Obama started fascism and the supreme court is seeing that it will continue indefinitely.

[unfortunatebeam]

No more little movies or documentaries, no more fun little sketch comedy programs, no more youtube vlogging or facebook time rotting, or tweeting. You are not comfortable and nothing can make you so, we are having something beautiful just stolen away from us and what are we going to do NOTHING? YOU BUNCH OF WORTHLESS WORTHLESS ASSHOLES. Do one thing with you discomfort, RESIST! IT MAY TAKE GENERATIONS, BUT IT HAS TO BEGIN, NOW!

[sgtpeppermani]

he is so right ! i wish there were more guys like him, telling it like it is, and stand up for democracy and impeachment of the corporate douche bag.

democracy has been dead in US since Reagan !

[RbVDK]

@sgtpeppermani

The USA is a republic, not a democracy.

[unfortunatebeam]

@RbVDK wtfru talking about? Of course it's a democracy, and not criminal corporate totalitarians are going to fucking TAKE THAT AWAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!

[RbVDK]

@unfortunatebeam

Huh! The USA was distinctly founded to be a republic and NOT a democracy. Go find out how many times democracy is mentioned in the US constitution. Look at the words of pledge of allegiance.

[matthewgsteel]

Olbermann is a communist. He doesn't like the U.S. Constitution either. This does not surprise me.

[dilbertgeg]

Corporatism is not the reverse of Stalinism, it's the mirror image of Stalinism, it *is* tyranny, and it's fiercely anti-constitutional.

Here's what does surprise me -- you don't even get it, and many people seem equally brainless, to think that grassroots opposition to unchecked dictatorial power *is* communist and dictatorial.

That's like Stalin calling opposition to HIM "counter-revolutionary" with a straight face, when opposition to Stalin *was* the people's revolution. Propaganda works.

[matthewgsteel]

It's really not good to make such an inflammatory comment, especially when you obviously have a very poor understanding of the subject matter.

You're right, propaganda does work. Barack Obama is the President of the United Staes.

[smaugfrost]

@matthewgsteel

Gods, you are a knee-jerk moron.

" Corporations treated as persons " is against every fiber of the founding fathers ideals.

You do not have any clue what you are commenting on.

Look up "Robber Barons" and "Railroad Tycoons".

[unfortunatebeam]

@matthewgsteel communist? Disgusting. You need to fuck off and die now.

[TheyHearUsNow]

Amen Matthew

[mmhansen]

I really, really wish he was exaggerating. This is absolutely devastating. Starting in November, pretty much all judges at the state level are going to be bought and paid for. This is the worst thing to happen to American democracy in a very long time.

[ffffllll]

Olbermann loves to hear himself talk. The Mccain/Feingold bill was unconstitutional anyway. I never understood why Bush signed it into law. It is in direct contradiction of our first amendment rights.

[Apockiller]

Spin Spin Spin!!!

[IauthenticI]

Too late. We are royaly screwed.

[AmericansWakeUp]

Write your congressman if you want to see some protective legislation to combat the negative aspects of the S.Ct. decision, such as prohibiting any corporation that is unable to file a declaration that it has no foreign business nor foreign assets, from contributing to any political campaign or promoting legislation and regulating their activities as a foreign person.

[regina627]

@AmericansWakeUp Some important limits do remain intact: Corporations still cannot give money directly to federal candidates or national party committees. That ban dates to 1907. The justices also upheld some other restrictions, including disclosure requirements for nonprofit groups that advocate for political candidates.

[thekidde63]

@regina627 Wow, disclosure for non-profits, but Citisluts can buy whomever they want.

[singlephase80]

democracy was a good run america. see ya dumbasses, keep voting conservative.

[bosco604]

Did anyone actually read the 183 page decision? If not, then you have no basis for your opinion. This was about the FEC and their ability to ban books, literature, movies, and other media. We cannot ban others from free speech. That, my friends is against the constitution. If you dont like what someone is saying, then either change the channel or join a local organization that supports your views.

[singlephase80]

sounds good. but i still have a big problem with corporations both american and foriegn buying our government. but if you nutjobs want it go ahead, i have no children so go for it lol....... GO JOE!!!!!!! lol

[bosco604]

Singlephase, you did not read the 183 page decision. It states that foreign owned companies cannot participate. American corporations will not particiapte because, as part of the ruling, they are required to give full disclosure should they run an ad for or against a candidate. political correctness is a way of life for both large and small corps. This merely allows the mom and pop shops a voice.

[CombatSportFan]

You know, his diatribe against the ruling, which is quite true and quite scary, would go a lot further and reach a lot more people if he didn't drop in cheap shots against Sarah Palin and Fox News and put that liberal spin on it since, at that point, he turns it into a thing where people on the fence or conservatives immediately turn it off and don't care any more because "obviously this is just left wing propaganda."

[Kalahridudex]

im going to israel when i graduate

[no2globalism]

No actual citizen is required in the campaign fundraising process.

[N3row0lf]

Find your guns, find your pencils and paper, and find shelter. Any guarantee of privacy, security, or livelihood is now up for sale.

[Alaryicjude]

From my p.o.v. I already see nearly all of these things happening at an ever increasing rate. Or we wouldn't have gotten to this place in the first place...

Politics are a sham, designed to place another gash between people. This side verses that, neither side has the ability to make the people wholly happy. Enough w/ the sides, let's all coalesce, stop warring, stop fighting, stop telling others how to live or what's right for all people to do. This isn't a soap opera, this is life: SO LIVE!

[Kalahridudex]

only 1193 views? really? and greatest freak-out ever has 15 million? dont get me wrong, greatest freak-out ever an awesome video but this stuff is pretty important.

[4ALLITSWORTH]

U.S. is fucked I'm out of here next year

[dullsvillain]

JOHN DOE BLACKWATER 2012 !

[Inresurrection]

"I'M MAD AS HELL!"

[sming01]

note to olbermann, WE ARE NOT A DEMOCRACY, but a REPUBLIC

[Reflex76x]

Which does not change the general message. Power is still taken from the voters, to the corporations.

[wutdaFU3K]

We are a constitutional republic and a democratic republic- a combination of both.

[Kalahridudex]

note to sming01, we USE to be a republic, now were a CORPORATIST STATE

[Kalahridudex]

also, chances i will move to israel because of this

[Kalahridudex]

Rest in Peace American Democracy! 1776-2010. cause of death: judicial activism. *salute* lets remember this great system and what it brought us.

[XodarapOnez]

@Kalahridudex 1776-1913

[Goalie3533]

Is it wrong that I'm sitting here smiling imagining Chuck Norris tossing a corporate CEO out of a 50 story window?

:-)

[Lodatzor]

Yes, it is wrong indeed, because I have a funny feeling Chuck will be cheering this move on.

He was never the brightest bulb in the punditry chandelier... ;)

[bline68]

@Goalie3533 I'm afraid I've got bad news for ya': this decision comes from Chuck's buddies...

[KuroNekoExMachina]

Lol, americans are funny. And this guy is a great actor. I bet he gets the oscar for his great dramatic performance. Old news, since "the term "lobbying" appeared in print as early as 1820". Str8 from wiki lol. Face it, this is just what everyone let happen.

[goog2k]

"Of the people, by the corporations, and for the corporations."

This is not a matter of free speech. Corporations are not people. They are artificial legal entities. They have bottomless pockets and will be able to extort every single politician in America for profit.

If you think Washington is owned by the Banks and Wall Street now, just wait. We haven't seen anything yet.  First to go will be all consumer protections.

If not changed, this will be the ultimate end of American democracy.

[kirby4d]

Bow down to the Almighty Dollar. Only the Supreme Church of Capitalism is legal.

[AmericansWakeUp]

The Corporations will presumably use this first amendment authority to promote legislation to TAX the middle class and authorize spending that benefit their corporate interest. The middle class and average American will not only have to pay their taxes, but see their tax dollars benefit these corporate interests, as government legislation gives to private companies contracts to provide all forms of government services, and then will have to buy their corporate services.

[ashatbulaparanormal]

here comes WW3

[PushTheSky]

SHIT, I'm not American and I'm pissed!

How the fuck did that happen?!

How can something like that be permitted, seams that no one was reading fucking paper with the proposed ripping ass law when they signed and approve it...

Shouldn't something like this have to pass through several powerful people and have their approval?

God damned it! Their changing an amendment what's next?!

[PushTheSky]

*They are

[dardonZ]

Sad thing.. Before it wasent even legal to buy politicians and still was done ALOT.. Now much worse is to come.. I mean if people continue to lay down and substitute critical thinking for a beer and a reality show, its time to be very.. very very individual.

[AmericansWakeUp]

This was in the works since before the nominations of Alito and Roberts. Dems refused to filabuster and bring attention to the issue, Americans are busy watching American Idol, and Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and the other high paid talking heads are playing the role of David Copperfield to distracting us from the issue.

[MInuhanyouM]

Its not a law, its a Supreme court ruling, its significantly harder to get it repeated because of that as well.

[PushTheSky]

Thanks for clarifying MinuhanyouM, I thought it was a new established law.

Gotta inform myself about what a supreme court rule is, I hear that word a lot but I always assumed it was referring to what is called law.

Thanks will look up into that.

[MInuhanyouM]

Its basically the highest court in the land basically..which decides what is constitutional and what isnt based on court cases that is brought against it, and the constitution is usually stronger than laws passed.. Now it may seem that that would be a bad idea off the bat to give an institution so much power in the first place, but it usually works very well. But these things, end up being abused as they often are, and now we have to clean up the mess

[AmericansWakeUp]

The problem is that when the Supreme Court ruled that corporations have the rights of citizens, it gave them all of the rights we have as citizens, rights to free speech, and other rights inherent in our constitution. Corporations however with their accumulated capital structure and profits can now drown out the rights and voices of other citizens. We do not give these rights to those seeking citizenship unless they take an oath to protect our constitution and other classes in US History.

[MInuhanyouM]

And the republicans are the ones who are now celebrating because they think the big banks who make off with taxpayer money and big oil and big pharma are on their side to get them elected, but its only to make the profits more profitable, and thus destroys the balance of power.

[AmericansWakeUp]

The wake up call is that our we need to amend our constitution to take the MONEY out of the political system and out of legislation. We need to learn from HISTORY.

Corporate donors and money manipulate and deceive us into believing that their "conservative" judges are not activist legislators. They control think tanks who have defined their agenda and plan of attack to maintain our nation's wealth for the wealthy, and return us back to the feudal system, where we the people are the serfs.

[LazlosPlane]

This is why I love Keith O.

Give 'em hell, Keith.

[nextdrink45]

Blubberman is such a Progressive pile of crap!!!

[Sprocketman]

At least he's never broken the law.

I doubt Rush Limbaugh has many friends in Narcotics officers.

[quack10]

So......money = free speech. And corporations are now considered people. It's all over. This will be known as the beginning if the end of our great nation.

Hey Alito? What happened to not legislating from the bench? Roberts, you said you wouldn't overturn precedent. You just did.

It's not like we didn't see this coming!!!! But....

LIARS. They are LIARS. They lied to the Senate during their confirmation hearing. And this is what impeachment was created for. WE MUST TOSS THESE GUYS OUT!!!!

[jtred74]

3 words.. We Are Screwed!!!

[mtalldude]

Quit your corporate jobs - do something creative - quit shopping - sell your stocks and invest in your own business. You won't regret it.