U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United-FED decision undermined Constitution
The commentary by Anders Gyllenhaal on the First Amendment in Sunday's paper has prompted me to offer my opinion on how an aberration of the First Amendment was created.
Clearly, the Supreme Court has become politicized. No longer do we expect a ruling based on law from the court, rather we get "opinions" based on the political philosophy each justice holds and how that influences his "interpretation" of the Constitution/law. An example follows:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission, No. 08-205, 558 U.S. 310 (2010), dealt with regulation of campaign spending by organizations. The Supreme Court held (5-4) that the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by a nonprofit corporation.
It was extended to for-profit corporations, labor unions and other associations. By allowing unlimited election spending by individuals and corporations, the decision has "re-shaped the political landscape" of the United States. Now corporate decision makers can unduly influence elections.
By what stretch of the imagination did five justices define a "corporation" as an individual? No corporation ever teed a ball up, gave a testimonial in church, nor read this letter.
Stockholders, officers and employees of a corporation, yes; the corporation, no.
For the vast majority of cases, the stockholders/employees have no more influence over the corporate decision makers than fans in the stands do over play-calling in a football game. There is a significant difference in the ramifications in these two examples, and that difference has led us down the road to governmental ruin. Agree? Call your federal officials now! Overturn Citizens United.
Woody Bell
Bradenton
This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 7:38 PM with the headline "U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United-FED decision undermined Constitution ."