Reverse Citizens United decision, restore democracy

In Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are equivalent to people, and thus have the same first constitutional rights. Any attempt to abridge those rights (for example, the McCain-Feingold bill, which limited campaign donations) is a violation of the Constitution.

This disastrous decision has paved the way for companies that care more about overseas profits than America.

Due to the Citizens United ruling, it is painfully obvious that our elected officials have sold out to multinational companies at the expense of the American people. This has led to a steady degradation of our democracy and an economy that has destroyed the middle class in this nation.

The only way to avoid plutocracy and restore democracy is to reverse Citizen United. I wish only those who can vote for a candidate could contribute a limited amount. Politicians would then respect their constituency.

Richard McNulty

Bradenton

This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Reverse Citizens United decision, restore democracy ."