Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Citizens United Case

The Supreme Court ruled recently that corporations could donate whatever money they wanted to political campaigns. This has the left on its heels, and has some pundits calling the Roberts Court, which is essentially conservative, hypocrites. But what is really at work here?

In a dissent, Justice John Paul Stevens said "...(corporations) are not members of our society. They cannot vote or run for office." Certainly they cannot vote or hold office; but it becomes fair to ask, if they are in fact not part of our society, why they should be taxed? If they are not part of society then, arguably, at least, they have no obligation to it. But more, that's a rather unilateral and arbitrary position to take. Why should they not be seen as members of the community? Corporations, businesses, nonprofits: these are all moral persons. If they weren't, we could not engage them when they act immorally. They can be sued if circumstances warrant. Why can't they give to political campaigns which support them?

The real trouble which the liberals have with rulings such as these is itself political. They can't raise the same money as right wing causes because they don't have the same type or amount of support in the areas of society which have money. Outside of Hollywood types and the Kennedys, there are few leftists with large amounts of money. The only way the left can affect society is by controlling the political process, which includes keeping right wing cash in the pockets of the holders rather than see it spent against them.

There are two ways we can make election money less relevant to the process. First, if you are worried about foreign influence in our campaigns, as some fear, then ban foreign contributions. Then, lessen government's influence on society. Go back to the Constitution and get Washington out of the way so that people can live their lives without so much interference.

But that won't happen because the left are the true hypocrites. They want power over people and government is the only way to get it. They are the real despots; the next Hitler will be all for the environment. But as always with dictators, it is the people who will suffer.

No comments: