Leahy Comments On The Citizen's United Supreme Court Decision

On January 28, 2010, Senator Patrick Leahy spoke on the Senate floor about the recent Supreme Court decision in Citizen's United v Federal Election Commission. The Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision last week that reversed long-standing precedent and declared government restrictions on corporate independent expenditures on elections to be unconstitutional in violation of the First Amendment.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Senator Patrick Leahy
• Citizen's United
• Supreme Court
• Senate Floor
• campaign finance reform.

[golden79]

This is why looking at precedent is so important. And what was previously in place was crucial.

[golden79]

This judgement was a step in the wrong direction. Imagine if an entity like Comcast or Time/Warner wanted people in office. Not only are they in control of a vast sum of money, but also many of the vast outlets of information. Defamation may not be an issue anymore--Candidates may eventually be denied advertising.

[golden79]

Imagine if a company like Comcast or Time/Warner wanted to get people in office. They have a vast amount of money, not to mention a great deal of control on the information we get. That is were this ruling becomes dangerous. To allow a corporation some of the rights of a person opens floodgates to allow the rest. Defamation may not even come into play because candidates may at some point be denied advertising.

[yakyakyak69]

The Radical Progressive Left has their panties in a knot because THEIR corporate media just LOST its monopoly on political speech.

Finally ALL corporations (not just MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, PBS, ABC, NBC) have equal access to air time!

As long as the advertising is correct and not a lie, then we can NEVER have too much information!

BTW, there are all kinds of laws on the books to prevent Defamation which is any wrongful injury to the reputation of a person or entity.

[underyourskindvd]

its a step into more trouble.

[substanti8]

(continued)

But the bill had very few sponsors, and it died in committee:

govtrack. us/congress/bill.xpd? bill=s108-1497

So why didn't Senator Leahy sponsor the legislation? If the Senator is so concerned about the pernicious influence of corporate money on our democratic process, doesn't he understand where that money goes? What has he done to restore our airwaves for the public interest??

[Avidsh21]

Thank you Senator!!

This decision defies logic and threatens the foundation of democracy by drowning out individuals - AND AMERICANS - the Court did not distinguish between American and foreign corporations!!

Campaign funding could be bought by China, Saudi Arabia - you name it - simply by creating a corporation.

IMPEACH THE JUSTICES WHO VOTED YES

[substanti8]

... all broadcasters to provide FREE political advertising to candidates who meet qualifications set by the FCC.

The root of this problem is the failure to regulate the communications industry for the public interest.

Attempts have been made in Congress to pass legislation that would mandate free political advertising, or at least take steps toward that goal. For example, in 2003, there was Senate Bill 1497 -- the "Our Democracy, Our Airwaves Act":

campaignlegalcenter. org/FCC-198.html

[dullsvillain]

Good for you sir!

If you want to sign protest petitions against the ruling see the links connected to my video post

" SIGN A PETITION "NO CORPORATE ELECTIONEERING !"

[ggammel]

Is he drunk? What's in the glass?