Ever since the disastrous Citizens United ruling, outside spending on federal elections has skyrocketed. Big money corrupts our politics and erodes our democracy — creating a vicious cycle that funnels more wealth and power to those at the top. - ThreadSky

rbreich.bsky.social • 37 days ago

Ever since the disastrous Citizens United ruling, outside spending on federal elections has skyrocketed.

Big money corrupts our politics and erodes our democracy — creating a vicious cycle that funnels more wealth and power to those at the top.

Comments

eagleneedle.bsky.social•37 days ago

A result of 'trickle down' economic con trick and a failed tax system, creating big money, big corruption.

nivula.bsky.social•37 days ago

Or, set up like a union. Similar to ACLU. With millions of members who vote, that will get their attention.

Trump and Musk hate unions. Including teachers unions. It's not about his campaign BS of getting immigrants out of unions or from taking "our" jobs, it's about getting rid of unions.

nivula.bsky.social•37 days ago

Citizens United is set up as a 501 (c) 4 with a separate LLC for donations. We need to fight like they fight. Organize.

We won't be a corporation looking for a tax break. We are the people looking for a seat at the congressional table. The paperwork to set up is simple. We can funnel too.

anakhari.bsky.social•37 days ago

IF a centre-left president EVER gets elected again in the US, the first order of the day should be to set election financing limits. The electoral laws should put a ceiling on individual contributions to prevent any person from having too much influence. Corporate $$$ should be out of the question.

kevlong.bsky.social•37 days ago

There used to campaign finance laws but the Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional. Until the court reverses the Citizens United case there is nothing Congress or the president can do.

ruviewer.bsky.social•37 days ago

Wouldn’t that be, according to the Supreme Court, unconstitutional? Money is speech, and all that. Won’t it take a constitutional amendment?

anakhari.bsky.social•37 days ago

IMO, money isn't speech in the same way that a vote isn't corruption, a truck isn't a protest, or an assault on the Capitol isn't 'tourism'.

anakhari.bsky.social•37 days ago

I realize the human rights legislation isn't the same in the US as in Canada, but therein lies the rub: the Constitution is antiquated and opens the room to too much abuse.

ruviewer.bsky.social•37 days ago

It is being deliberately misinterpreted, even when the wording is unambiguous. The SC Justices are acting in bad faith.

sunshineocean.bsky.social•37 days ago

If money is speech, the poor will never have a voice.

ruviewer.bsky.social•37 days ago

Exactly. When that decision came out in 1978 (Buckley v Valeo) I asked myself how the Justices could have gotten it so wrong, but I had more respect for the Supreme Court then and it didn’t occur to me right away that this was what they intended all along. It seemed so… un American

anakhari.bsky.social•37 days ago

That's part of the problem. The current bench is a corrupt, partisan political farce. As a former barrister--albeit in a different jurisdiction--I have no respect for them.

benfrankart.bsky.social•37 days ago

It didn’t take an amendment to declare money is speech therefore it won’t take an amendment to reverse that declaration. Just expand the SC and done.

anakhari.bsky.social•37 days ago

Indeed. But what I deplore is what I have been observing throughout my career -- justices tasked with interpreting the law in an unbiased, non-partisan way, unmoored from any political ideology, twisting themselves instead in jurisprudential knots to kowtow to the party that put them in power.

thedissonance.bsky.social•13 days ago

I think so. Some thoughts on that https://open.substack.com/pub/thedissonance/p/the-forty-most-explosive-words-in?utm_source=app-post-stats-page&r=2klzl4&utm_medium=ios

starlightshelling.bsky.social•37 days ago

Thank John Roberts

letsbepurple.bsky.social•36 days ago

It’s time to kill CU

femel.bsky.social•36 days ago

Agreed. Need laws limiting donations so a musk can’t but the next election. Of course not until after Trump unfortunately

joiseydoc.bsky.social•37 days ago

Everyone knew it would. Why was it allowed? Is this coming dystopia what people actually wanted?

waywoke.bsky.social•37 days ago

Yes it does

hbjohn52.bsky.social•36 days ago

💯

connie0714.bsky.social•37 days ago

This ruling made sure the oligarchy would follow.

freshie65.bsky.social•36 days ago

SAD! There is NO WAY a politician can be fair to their constituents if they are beholden to BIG companies donating to their election campaigns. This is tantamount to legal bribery.

njm4.bsky.social•37 days ago

Nice research and chart.

Most Ind and Right voters think the Left and Democrats are just as bad. They have no idea how the Democrats have tried to end this (HB1 in 2018 being a prime example), and have to tightrope to compete.

Especially as they become the Anti-Oligarchy party, clarity here is key

jto75.bsky.social•37 days ago

Citizen's United is DEI for corporate executives

kehwen.bsky.social•36 days ago

This chart makes it so apparent! How did Elon Musk circumvent the limit on campaign conttributions all the rest of us face? Donating to PACS, instead of candidates? Trump accesses it either way!

ponytail25.bsky.social•36 days ago

Combined with social media and more streaming channels, Americans are overwhelmed by misinformation. SAD 😖

harleytheequinn.bsky.social•37 days ago

So what can we ordinary citizens do about it? Congress has shown little to no appetite for legislation that would counteract the harms of Citizens United. I wish this could be a major campaign issue.

quantumfixits.bsky.social•37 days ago

Alito thinks you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

barely-sane.bsky.social•36 days ago

Here in Canada there are strict spending limits for political parties. The current US system is nothing more than legalized bribery. And gerrymandering is legalized cheating. Less time should be spent boasting, and more time correcting the blatant inadequacies.

nosferat2.bsky.social•36 days ago

#VILEMAXIM has been the rule of "democracies" before the US was a country. All for them (the ruling class) & nothing for other. Chomsky explains it succinctly n 'Requieim for the American Dream" the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission 01/21/2010 was the nail n the ⚰️

shaduck007.bsky.social•36 days ago

tippytaff.bsky.social•37 days ago

I remember when this happened & no objections gained any traction. It's one of the biggest 'trust me, bro' in US history! Add Newt Gingrich and Leonard Leo-Elon Musk to this chart.

thcarter123.bsky.social•36 days ago

https://medium.com/@thcarter123/the-old-gray-lady-aint-what-she-used-to-be-a-decade-of-failing-to-persuade-the-new-york-times-to-8c3ab0dcea5e

47resistance.bsky.social•37 days ago

In a financial democracy, money wins people lose.

thehobbyhopper.bsky.social•37 days ago

We need to forbid that in the next constitution.

locko8668.bsky.social•37 days ago

At least we know how much American democracy cost now. Everything has a price tag.

chudyo.bsky.social•37 days ago

We all owe on this

moondragon33.bsky.social•37 days ago

This is disgusting. I want a politician who uses that money to actually help people instead of on attack ads. Where are those people at?

denisebossert.bsky.social•37 days ago

We have to get rid of Citizens United!

fractegrity.bsky.social•37 days ago

Yes, "freedom of speech" for corporations transformed our elections into a for-profit enterprise. Organize for 2026 so that we can OVERTURN CITIZENS UNITED by legislation. While we're at it let's put term limits and ethics standards on the SCOTUS and codify Roe v Wade.

vf24ordie.bsky.social•37 days ago

My only hope is for the people who really need to understand this get it.

codemistress.bsky.social•37 days ago

You are truly the Prophet of the Obvious.

authorleigh.bsky.social•37 days ago

This is what kills democracy.

funnyhowitis.bsky.social•37 days ago

Big money isn’t speech; it’s a megaphone drowning out the rest of us.

reggierink.bsky.social•37 days ago

I wish congress would take action on this, but most of them are fine with this. After all they benefit from it.

kevlong.bsky.social•37 days ago

The only thing that can fix this is the Supreme Court. Citizens United should be on the lips of all voters but 95% have never heard of it. The other branches can't do anything until this ruling is reversed but it'll be at be at least 30 years until the left can again get a majority in the SC.

reggierink.bsky.social•37 days ago

Can't congress take action on Super Pacs, dark money, strengthening the FEC, or a constitutional ammendment?

rationalpear.bsky.social•37 days ago

adding 20 additional judges to the court is the only way out. hear cases by random selection on 5 judges. can’t game that system or establish permanent control.

kevlong.bsky.social•35 days ago

We do need to reform the federal judicial branch to lesson the impact of individual judges. Term limits, expand it to at least 13 to match circuit courts, and end Judge shopping with a lottery system upon challenge.

rationalpear.bsky.social•34 days ago

yes. we need a ground up reform, including things like how judges are appointed, but so many other areas of government need basic democratic reforms. end electoral college, federal referendum power, make impeachment easier, maybe move doj/fbi to new independent branch w/ direct election of AG.

tman321.bsky.social•37 days ago

When the highest court in the land has been compromised as it has, we have lost our country and no longer stand on the higher ground. The rule of law is over in America. Money defeated it.

nhallisonmarie.bsky.social•37 days ago

Just posted this article. It’s over a dozen years old but is still a good explainer on how we ended up with the horrible decision.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/05/21/money-unlimited

mexi-dutch.bsky.social•37 days ago

Thank you for sharing this article. 🙏🏼

mexi-dutch.bsky.social•37 days ago

📌

ruviewer.bsky.social•37 days ago

📌

progressivemimi.bsky.social•37 days ago

We can blame “SCROTUS” for this.

lashelvy.bsky.social•37 days ago

That is very clever! I will use this henceforth. I was using ECOTUS since it's no longer Supreme and now run by Extremists of the religious variety, thanks to the rethuglikkkans and TRE45ON. Your version is by far funnier and easier to understand. 👍🏼

tigerbug.bsky.social•37 days ago

And when they can't buy the right amount of votes they just steal it. Elon helped facilitate this cheat. Why do you think Trump is suddenly bending the knee to anything Elon says. He owes him.
#demandarecount
#somethingiswrong2024
#recount2024
https://www.planetcritical.com/p/cyber-security-experts-warn-election-hacked

genxkaren.bsky.social•37 days ago

📌

isabellasmom.bsky.social•37 days ago

https://youtu.be/wZKS8sF8_Ic?si=0sVEfyMKKlGe4PFg

isabellasmom.bsky.social•37 days ago

Biden waits until a few days ago, after benefiting, when he is powerless to change anything, to mention oligharts are ruining our country..
No words

southernfriedtarot.bsky.social•37 days ago

Yeah, I noticed that too. Really Pissin Off! 😒

smeltzersurf.bsky.social•36 days ago

That was the opposite of what both side said they wanted. How can the maga’s be so blind?

chewiesmom.bsky.social•36 days ago

Yes, and it was the Robert’s court that allowed it. How do we stop them? Their decisions are creating the space for this oligarchy.

saltybreeze.bsky.social•37 days ago

SCOTUS is behind the DOWNFALL of America

miabw.bsky.social•37 days ago

I always said that when citizens united was passed, it was the beginning to the end of democracy.

joanne2000.bsky.social•37 days ago

Preach!!! ThAT SCOTUS decided that every voice in America is NOT equal. If you’re rich your voice is louder with a much farther range. That decision was a betrayal to American voters.

jcm444.bsky.social•37 days ago

END. CITIZENS. UNITED. This must be our primary job moving forward. There needs to be communication on steroids - 24/7 - to end this vicious corruption that is destroying us all.

chudyo.bsky.social•37 days ago

All out offense. Not time to rewrite sorry stories

ericbrewso1.bsky.social•37 days ago

oligarchssuck.bsky.social•37 days ago

Justice Roberts led this court with many pro billionaire decisions which enabled the oligarchy that now controls government and strangles our democracy. Am I wrong?

krankepantzen.bsky.social•37 days ago

Conservatives, Republicans love establishment economic power, specifically voted for Republicans so they could get more rulings like Citizens United, undermine democracy and the voters, increase the power of the rich.

uncledon.bsky.social•37 days ago

How do we change it?

thevoidcalls.bsky.social•37 days ago

Congress writes a law to ban all money in politics and end corporate personhood to overwrite the Supreme Court decision.

Congress, unfortunately, is a bit paralyzed by party lines/group think and a few bad actors and traitors, and those people all have to go.

uncledon.bsky.social•37 days ago

You’re right, but I’ve never heard but a few even mention it.

thevoidcalls.bsky.social•36 days ago

Congress suffers from many things. Money/donor/owner infestation, people seeking power, people seeking contracts/money, people pandering to whoever helped get them the chair, people who just want a legacy, etc.

All of these issues obscure the basic things Congress should be doing for the People.

thevoidcalls.bsky.social•36 days ago

Which is why as time passes the People have less and less and less representation. I'm looking right now at all 3 branches of US Government that only marginally act in the best interest of *regular, everyday people* and instead think about corporate, oligarchs, and hegemony.

wtfdonald.bsky.social•37 days ago

Citizens United was a crime, not a decision.

stoiccpt.bsky.social•37 days ago

When will the people rise up?

marcyrw.bsky.social•37 days ago

If, in 2016, Hillary Clinton had been elected, we would've had three more liberal SCOTUS Justices who could've overturned - or at least revised - Citizen's United, and we wouldn't here now. But, due to the relentless attacks and lies fomented by some bad actors backing Bernie, here we are.

jonathanmlewis.bsky.social•37 days ago

Lewis Powell was a f-ing disingenuous piece of rightwing shit. Trying to state "corporations are people" when the actual term he should have used was "citizens". Now ask Twit Romney if corporations are citizens, reporters.

scottplace.bsky.social•37 days ago

Musk

thegrimspeaker.bsky.social•37 days ago

Citizens United was the door that let the Oligarchs in .....

clearrhodes.bsky.social•37 days ago

You are right. Follow this to fruition sir. This won't stop until it can go further. Once Billionaires have exhausted all monies they will resort to other means. Like gaming. #ElonFakeGamerScam and then no amount of money will work. We are close to a cliff. How far things fall from here. I dono.

mymikequestwest.bsky.social•37 days ago

That’s the BIG ONE! If we could get a national referendum?!?!?!!!

jeaneri.bsky.social•37 days ago

somehow, it must be overturned1

driver9.bsky.social•37 days ago

Conservatives on SCOTUS have been poisonous to America.

lorioboe.bsky.social•35 days ago

This!
Pay Attention!

sgtfella.bsky.social•37 days ago

Citizen’s United started a poker game. If you can’t keep up with the anti you are out. The billionaires feel they have the advantage. It appears they do for the present.

juvor.bsky.social•37 days ago

Big money corrupts. Period.

lisakayaks.bsky.social•37 days ago

No shit.

nerdy.es•37 days ago

All money.

Public funded fixed campaign spends.

Or stop pretending we live in a representative democracy..

j3bster.bsky.social•37 days ago

One of the many horrible decisions the Supreme Court has made to upset our elections!!

drshowup.bsky.social•37 days ago

Lord Acton, “the same moral standards should be applied to all men, political and religious leaders included, especially since “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (1887)”

rdpapa123.bsky.social•37 days ago

Get rid of the Citizens United ruling

thomasbuchanan0.bsky.social•37 days ago

It’s not really just our democracy anymore since the Kremlin can donate unlimited funds to PACs for advertising through dark money anonymity.

mexi-dutch.bsky.social•37 days ago

🎯🎯 100% (*any foreign nation)

youdontsay65.bsky.social•37 days ago

Cause there's nothing in it for them to help middle class, poor, like myself. It's why Kamala Harris was needed,not just wanted. I'll shut up now

angryblueman.bsky.social•37 days ago

I have heard about overturning this disastrous ruling for fifteen years. No progress. USA has now gone a quarter century with no democracy, beginning with Bush v Gore.

its-its.bsky.social•37 days ago

Criminal.

luckypt7.bsky.social•37 days ago

That needs to change....the WH should Never be able to be bought!

david-kidd.bsky.social•37 days ago

Corporations aren't people - what was so hard to figure that out??

toshyou.bsky.social•36 days ago

If corporations are considered people now, then they should be paying as much tax as any other person.

factsnotfiction.bsky.social•37 days ago

🤚🤚🤚✌️✌️

wannabzen.bsky.social•37 days ago

In this current disaster, what is our next step?

therealjaymack.bsky.social•37 days ago

Project 2029 needs to include a legislative repeal of Citizens United.

catzfood.bsky.social•37 days ago

Thank you Justice Scalia 🤮

politicalamericans.bsky.social•37 days ago

https://politicalamericans.com/putin-donates-1m-to-trump-inauguration/

nofaithinhumanity.bsky.social•37 days ago

It all went sideways after this awful ruling

racialjustice.bsky.social•37 days ago

This (of course) is anti-Black, anti-democracy and pro-Oligarchy.

leslievillelad.bsky.social•37 days ago

Money is speech, and your senate is totally unrepresentative. Not to mention the stupid electoral college. The Floundering Fathers really screwed up!

johnlynker.com•37 days ago

I remember 2010 Democrats l pissed off Obama wasn't perfect. Good.

Now you get a case of corrupt SCOTUS for decades...

...and all the wake damage like Donald Trump, gun violence, oligarchy...

rah fucking rah DemPride

cognitum.bsky.social•37 days ago

Well thank your local Supreme Court.

im0ku4ok.bsky.social•37 days ago

The WORST Scotus decision in history.

bluebird11.bsky.social•37 days ago

I know it may feel like a pipe dream but what legislation would actually address this? Thank you!

senhormn.bsky.social•36 days ago

There needs to be a concerted effort by any and all democratic elected officials and those seeking election to dismantle citizens united.

robkarpati.bsky.social•37 days ago

The Citizens United decision defied logic and common sense at the time and has resulted in predictably disastrous consequences in the intervening years.

blueblueballer.bsky.social•36 days ago

Corporations are people, people who never fight and die for their country.

pattypie.bsky.social•37 days ago

Thank you Mr. Reich for keeping the public educated on the thievery taking place while the under educated ignore sanity to worship a false God & criminally insane mad man!

liberal-g.bsky.social•37 days ago

The people lost all control when Citizens United took over.

rodharme.bsky.social•37 days ago

Both parties want money. Politicians are under the gun to raise large sums of money for the party. Only billionaires and corporations can fulfill that thirst. Ordinary people are at their mercy. Until we stop campaign finance, nothing will change. 🤷‍♀️

bozone23.bsky.social•37 days ago

Every election cycle, the candidates might mention campaign finance reform once and then we never hear of it again and nothing happens and here we are.

vikingstable.bsky.social•37 days ago

Money in anything eventually corrupts...sigh

songexplorer.bsky.social•37 days ago

The question is how do we stop it?

sugarsgirl.bsky.social•37 days ago

Welcome to the dark ages.

justinandrus.bsky.social•37 days ago

What’s the best way to get money out of politics? The people overwhelmingly want to get money out of politics, but money buys seats in congress.

mark-sysum.bsky.social•37 days ago

dhastings437.bsky.social•37 days ago

dee76450.bsky.social•37 days ago

Overturn Citizens United 🤬

crazyhammer.bsky.social•37 days ago

Do you also find it corrupt when the mega rich donors are giving money to the democrats? I didn’t think so.

nmbenjamin.bsky.social•37 days ago

We should declare as citizens that we are now being taxed without representation, as the majority of politicians are more beholden to corporations than people

cjtoronto.bsky.social•37 days ago

This can now only be fixed via revolution.

They have a stranglehold on the world.

mjmahoney.bsky.social•37 days ago

I’d like to see a people’s campaign that demands candidates sign a pledge to support campaign finance law changes and put their investments in a blind trust.

southernfriedtarot.bsky.social•37 days ago

Is this like the assholes that get Elected as Dems only to switch to Repube once they swear in?!

mjmahoney.bsky.social•37 days ago

Those people should be recalled for sure !

commonsensematters.bsky.social•37 days ago

https://bsky.app/profile/commonsensematters.bsky.social/post/3lfnkvltubk2m

jbenlevi.bsky.social•37 days ago

The ACLU has some apologizing to do for backing Citizens United.

whosjer.bsky.social•36 days ago

What democracy- it’s The American Oligarchy
Plain as nose on your face
Democrats seem more interested in being “go alongers” to keep their seat in Congress

johnnywest.bsky.social•36 days ago

So true. Money corrupts politics. Time for a fair salary, and controls over stock conflicts of interest rulings.

jump5tart.bsky.social•37 days ago

End Citizens United. The first thing that needs done to save democracy. Not getting it done in the last 4 years may be democracy’s death knell.

bolloxim.bsky.social•37 days ago

No one spends that kind of money without looking for a significant ROI

robbyackerman666.bsky.social•37 days ago

Time to repeal Citizens United.

rationalpear.bsky.social•37 days ago

we should rewrite campaign finance law based on the principle that only eligible voters can spend money during a campaign. unlimited but reported on the FEC website within 24hrs. no corporations. no PACs. just voters.

rationalbeing.bsky.social•37 days ago

What's the solution?

hubertelski.bsky.social•37 days ago

A ridiculous notion and and unfathomable ruling.

diamondstar1962.bsky.social•36 days ago

The take over of oligarchs and installation of fascism was their goal.

askgma.bsky.social•36 days ago

But they still have no idea why that would be a good thing.
Including the oligarchs who just think they do.

tigerlily4927.bsky.social•37 days ago

🤬🤬

susandathome.bsky.social•37 days ago

Thank you professor. I know your teachings by heart but there are many who don't and I appreciate your efforts to reach them

teamx2024.bsky.social•37 days ago

Could it be time to erect some real gallos on the National Mall? Or do we have to wait until trump and company does something truly stupid.

teufelhunden0352.bsky.social•37 days ago

Don’t count on dems doing anything. They’re all in on big $ donors.

Elections are big business in America & bc of this un-bought independent candidates have very little chance of success.

Thanks to political parties our electoral system is crumbling and very corrupt.

teufelhunden0352.bsky.social•37 days ago

In his farewell address Washington warned against the evil of pol parties not bc they’re bad but bc they would change how Americans saw themselves.

Instead of seeing themselves as Americans they would ID themselves with their parties leading to divisiveness.

He couldn’t have been more correct!

danieljarthur.bsky.social•37 days ago

We passed the tipping point, and democracy is on life support as a result.

lexie1179.bsky.social•36 days ago

If the Supreme Court does nothing but accelerate the demise of our democracy, why do we need it?

ignorati.bsky.social•36 days ago

Amen.

eykyu.bsky.social•37 days ago

I am cognizant, Robert, that you will not answer to this post, but who is leading the fight against the North/East, (the oligarchy republican) setting the US into a dictatorship? Do we need to arm ourselves with pitchforks?

kill3r-t0fu.bsky.social•37 days ago

Serious question. Why vote anymore? Voting chooses the puppet, but the corporations ultimately make the decisions and pull the strings.

edfrombillerica.bsky.social•37 days ago

We are no longer have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, because Citizens United has made us a country of the corporations, by the corporations, and especially for the corporations - it is sad ...

lorihjschaffer.bsky.social•37 days ago

Money is the measure of all things in the minds of those who will take power soon.

trublunorth.bsky.social•37 days ago

Terrible Supreme Court decision.

wishkitty.bsky.social•37 days ago

This is why I don’t contribute to the ACLU anymore.

leifbrown.bsky.social•37 days ago

I believe that number may be about to fall dramatically.

https://bsky.app/profile/leifbrown.bsky.social/post/3lfw3hvsmks2f

wbrushing.bsky.social•37 days ago

The actions of the Supreme Court in the 21st century are largely responsible for the fall of American democracy.

benfrankart.bsky.social•37 days ago

Ever since Bush v Gore we have seen what this Supreme Court has really been about.

ivystone.bsky.social•37 days ago

The American Promise http://americanpromise.net is working to address this through a 28th amendment . They are a cross-partisan group committed to ratifying an amendment to the US Constitution that would empower the States and Congress to restore reasonable limits on money in our elections:

beantari.bsky.social•37 days ago

pacificatiler.bsky.social•36 days ago

Compare dates,...when exactly did the Robber's Court establish Citizens United?

independent56.bsky.social•37 days ago

Please tell us what we, as individuals, can do. I always appreciate your analysis and insight but we’re drowning in despair, are fully acquainted with the ocean, and really need a life raft.

nocountry4good.bsky.social•37 days ago

And is there not a direct correlation with the extreme rise in 2024 in what/who that that could buy? 😞 😡💔

vetanthropology.bsky.social•37 days ago

Big money plus gerrymandering means candidates who only have to cater to donors and primary extremists.

level90.bsky.social•37 days ago

Certainly is one way of quantifying the burgeoning effect of an oligarchy.

steverino76.bsky.social•37 days ago

I propose a constitutional amendment imposing a wealth tax. Here are my spokesmen, Plutarch https://www.azquotes.com/vangogh-image-quotes/23/34/Quotation-Plutarch-An-imbalance-between-rich-and-poor-is-the-oldest-and-23-34-81.jpg, George Carlin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiyGScJ7iWQ, and Thomas Jefferson. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-08-02-0534

They can't stop it if we go this way.

gredmon.bsky.social•37 days ago

The Roberts Extreme Court was bought and paid for long ago, when they through the people under the bus and lead the charge to oligarchy. #OverturnCitizensUnited

retiringkevin.bsky.social•37 days ago

🤮

thrasher62.bsky.social•37 days ago

END CITIZENS UNITED!!!
😡

drramblings.bsky.social•37 days ago

All of those billions could have helped millions of people. Instead, it’s wasted on campaigns. Let them donate, and the $ gets split equally among all candidates.

Overturning Citizens United won’t be overturned, so this could be an improvement.

southernfriedtarot.bsky.social•37 days ago

And yet, we let it continue.

sunnyday3.bsky.social•37 days ago

And is there any way to end it?

louise321.bsky.social•37 days ago

We should limit ads to equal-time and limited infomercials. Just their vision and no negative ads. Paid for by the people.

pegdif58.bsky.social•37 days ago

Just like the founding father said it would if you let a crook in the White House

dann1960.bsky.social•37 days ago

I've said it was a crime against "We The People" from the get-go.

collierphotos.bsky.social•37 days ago

RBG was prescient
🌤️☂️☔️💦🌊

seasidechic.bsky.social•37 days ago

Yes, but she should have stepped down when Obama asked her to.

heerycoo2.bsky.social•37 days ago

“Citizens United” is a total misnomer. Should have been called “Corporations United Against Citizens”.

pegasushere.bsky.social•37 days ago

A vicious cycle, we could make it to peace if the same administration stayed in.

andrewsevans.bsky.social•37 days ago

It’s a joke.

ham4u.bsky.social•35 days ago

This doesn’t even reflect the un paid for Fox propaganda. You can probably double all those numbers. It was Reagan that took away equal time.

comen-tator.bsky.social•37 days ago

Since the Citizens United case was claiming that businesses should have the same rights as regular citizens, why aren't they subject to the same limitations as citizens, and how do they qualify for exclusion from reporting rules that you or I have to abide by?
Just rhetorical, we all know the answer

maco1987.bsky.social•36 days ago

This is the single most important factor. Without the incentive to spend money on elections FB would revert back to pictures of your lunch and dogs. Xitter would just be a way to keep up with the Kardashians.

ozmamay.bsky.social•37 days ago

My vote will never be bought, directly or indirectly.

mikeintlh.bsky.social•37 days ago

You mean Alito was wrong when he yelled at Obama? Color me shocked. Jk

celestemarx.bsky.social•37 days ago

Watch Michael Steele on Deadline. Democrats acting like rules have not changed AND THERE ARE NONE. Time from Senate Dems to strategically. Tuberville.

justsayreg.bsky.social•37 days ago

One could argue that the machinations of what we’re experiencing now began with the Citizens United SCOTUS ruling.

kingwhackadoodle.bsky.social•37 days ago

They wouldn't donate if they didn't think they would make that money back.

jimrissmiller.bsky.social•37 days ago

Declaring businesses to be persons for purposes of political participation was asinine. But we’ve become expectant that the Supreme Court will issue asinine rulings.

cubbie50.bsky.social•37 days ago

I hate John Roberts

just-shayna.bsky.social•37 days ago

It’s why we are where we are. 🤦‍♀️

mdwth.bsky.social•37 days ago

America's government is an Auction House... politicians up for sale to the highest bidders.... it's no longer in governing the Country but focused on fulfilling their huge donors every whim

forseofone.bsky.social•37 days ago

Citizens of what country? United where?

And WE are radicals

MBM

edsplace.bsky.social•35 days ago

Right! Exactly what has been happening since Obama took office.

jtlouns.bsky.social•37 days ago

This is the legacy of the Roberts court. Of all the bad decisions of the current SCOTUS, Citizens United has done the most damage to our Democracy. This is what John Roberts MUST be remembered for.

watchdogprg.bsky.social•37 days ago

Highly unlikely that we will be able to overturn Citizens United - BUT.... we can advocate for strengthening influence peddling and bribery laws. Perhaps even introduce new laws where quid pro quo political exchanges will have new guardrails. And we need to enforce 501c3/c4 tax status violations.

ritamoon17.bsky.social•37 days ago

And Tax the Churches ⛪️ 🙄

megamegame27.bsky.social•37 days ago

vicjim.bsky.social•37 days ago

Corruption

cupecoy4me.bsky.social•37 days ago

Don’t forget - Republicans also killed the fairness doctrine which led directly to

Fascism
Oligarchy
X (Twitter)
“News”

sylviagreier.bsky.social•37 days ago

Hopefully, there are no resignations from SCOTUS + #47 doesnt add more judges, bc then youll be The Handmaids Tale for real.
Living on a hope + a prayer🤞🙏
Youve got to get rid of citizens united!

shelahblue.bsky.social•37 days ago

https://movetoamend.org

oneshotrecords.bsky.social•37 days ago

It was all part of the plan. Trump stealing this election is the end game.

ball-peinqueen.bsky.social•37 days ago

Been screaming overturn citizens united for years now!!!!

rampantrawdoggery.bsky.social•37 days ago

Yea, the Supreme Court really seems to be giving it to the poors pretty mercilessly. If we're being honest this country was founded by rich white dudes SPECIFICALLY for rich white dudes. It is getting pretty close to its final form.

2perfectgsds.bsky.social•37 days ago

You should look into Oklahoma now starting up a militia in every county. They will all be carrying semi automatic firearms!

rmanc.bsky.social•37 days ago

https://open.substack.com/pub/howthingswork/p/looting-season-in-america?r=e0fwl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

baja-hacker.bsky.social•37 days ago

To paraphrase:

Money Corrupts Politics

Big Money Corrupts Absolutely

djangounlame.bsky.social•37 days ago

Absolutely ghastly. Clarence Thomas must squeal in delight every time he sees a chart like this.

mgajarsky.bsky.social•37 days ago

The Democrats completely fumbled their supreme court strategy, so nothing will change for the next 60 years.

thefilibusted.bsky.social•37 days ago

All because the president of Citizens United couldnt handle being told he could not air his "I hate Hilary" documentary before the 2008 primaries.
David Bossie is the scum of the earth and I hope he is one of the many names lambasted throughout history as pure evil.

glowinthedark777.bsky.social•37 days ago

The legacy media devoted unlimited air time to attacking right wing enemies and providing air cover for left wing friends. Your team no longer controls the narrative.

iamlouisebrooks.bsky.social•37 days ago

A cardinal sin that needs to be rectified

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