By Judith Gayle | Political Waves (the Planet Waves politics blog)
So what happens when our High Court gives us a ruling so heinous to the democratic process and protection of the individual that the President takes opportunity during his State of the Union to chide the Supremes and directs his Congress to investigate and close the loopholes?
First we employ a little humor, to inform of the actual damage done and reflect its implications, as found over at Scholars and Rogues:
Following the recent Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to allow unlimited corporate funding of federal campaigns, Murray Hill Inc. today announced it is filing to run for U.S. Congress. “Until now,” Murray Hill Inc. said in a statement, “corporate interests had to rely on campaign contributions and influence-peddling to achieve their goals in Washington. But thanks to an enlightened Supreme Court, now we can eliminate the middle-man and run for office ourselves.” Murray Hill Inc. is believed to be the first “corporate person” to exercise its constitutional right to run for office.
“The strength of America,” Murray Hill Inc. said, “is in the boardrooms, country clubs and Lear jets of America’s great corporations. We’re saying to Wal-Mart, AIG and Pfizer, if not you, who? If not now, when?” Murray Hill Inc. added: “It’s our democracy. We bought it, we paid for it, and we’re going to keep it.” Murray Hill Inc., a diversifying corporation in the Washington, D.C. area, has long held an interest in politics and sees corporate candidacy as an “emerging new market.”
The announcement represents a landmark moment in American politics, as former President George W. Bush’s dream of an “ownership society” is finally realized.
Then we begin to organize around the actions necessary to limit the fallout. There must be potent campaign finance reform in the near future if we’re to stop corporations from a full court press. Companies must be forced to get shareholder approval for political activities and should be prohibited from making any contributions if they receive government funding or contracts.