SCOTUS opens the flood gates for corporations - WickedFire - Affiliate Marketing Forum

ayzo · 01-21-2010, 02:19 PM

As if you peons had to be told:

Corporations/labor unions/billionaire activists > you

Campaign-Finance Ruling Opens Door to More Political Groups - WSJ.com

Quote:

WASHINGTON—Outside political organizations will play a larger role in the 2010 midterm congressional elections after a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday to strike down elements of the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law.

"There will be a lot more groups advocating for and against candidates," said Cleta Mitchell, a lawyer with Foley & Lardner who advices outside political organizations. "It rips the duct tape off the mouths of the American people."

The Supreme Court decision stripped away rules that limited the ability of corporations, unions and other organizations to fund and organize their own political campaigns for or against candidates. The court also struck down a part of the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law that prevented any independent political group from running advertisements with 30 days of a primary election or 60 days before a general election.

Together, the decisions make it easier for corporations, labor unions and other entities to mount political campaigns for and against candidates for Congress and the White House.

The Supreme Court decision is the latest in a string of judicial rulings that have chipped away at federal limits on the political activity of outside groups in elections. Last year, a federal court overturned rules imposed by the Federal Election Commission that made it more difficult for outside political groups to raise money for political advertisements.

"Taken together, the recent federal court decisions demonstrate that the government cannot regulate individuals, corporations and other entities that wish to speak out about candidates in the upcoming midterm elections," said William McGinley, a campaign-finance lawyer with Patton Boggs LLP.

At issue are limits on how companies, unions and others can get influence elections. The 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law barred corporations, labor unions and individuals from making unlimited political donations to the Republican National Committee, Democratic National Committee and other political parties.

The law led to an increase in the number and power of outside political groups beginning during the 2004 presidential election.

Reaction to the court's decision split largely along ideological lines Thursday. Groups aligned with unions and liberal causes worried that the decision would open up a flood of corporate money to conservative candidates. Groups aligned with conservative causes and business interests applauded the ruling as restoring free-speech rights. Independent groups across the political spectrum will use the ruling to drum up more contributions for their election efforts.

Sen. Charles Schumer, (D., N.Y.), said in a statement he will introduce legislation to "minimize the impacts" of the court's decision, which he called "worse than we had feared."

Anna Burger, a senior political official with the Service Employees International Union, said the decision "lifted the floodgates and started dismantling century-old restrictions on corporate electoral activity in the name of the 'free speech rights' of corporations."

Steve DeMaura, the head of the conservative-leaning Americans for Job Security, called the decision an "unequivocal victory" for those "who believe in free speech and the rights of organizations such as ours to promote our point of view."

invisible777 · 01-21-2010, 05:21 PM

Good.

Now people can actually take on billion dollar behemoths like MoveOn.

UnripeArbiter · 01-21-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invisible777

Good.

Now people can actually take on billion dollar behemoths like MoveOn.

People or corporations?

Dwight Schrute · 01-21-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invisible777

Good.

Now people can actually take on billion dollar behemoths like MoveOn.

This. Fuck George Soros.

invisible777 · 01-21-2010, 05:43 PM

Corporations.

MoveOn is a corporation in disguise. It's sick what they've gotten away with. So if another corporation wants to money-up and fire away at entities like MoveOn, I say so be it.

UnripeArbiter · 01-21-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invisible777

Corporations.

MoveOn is a corporation in disguise. It's sick what they've gotten away with. So if another corporation wants to money-up and fire away at entities like MoveOn, I say so be it.

So you're saying two wrongs make a right, ok.

invisible777 · 01-21-2010, 06:29 PM

more like leveling the playing field

UnripeArbiter · 01-22-2010, 08:36 PM

If you think corporations have influence on politicians now, just wait.

This thread needs more attention.

popeye · 01-23-2010, 11:12 AM

For those "special" members that are against this, read up on the actually case. Read why the attorneys for the government dropped the ball.

The bill was essentially "burning the books" of a small "for profit" company. While the criminal mega non for profits can do whatever the fuck they want (moveon.org)

Yes, this levels the playing field for everyone not just the Soros left.

Unarmed Gunman · 01-23-2010, 12:20 PM

You guys are all idiots. The corporations and MoveOn.org should all be prohibited from campaign contributions. There is too much money in politics and that causes corruption and that's why we end up fucked every election. There should be caps placed on campaign spending if you really want to level the playing field.

guerilla · 01-23-2010, 01:00 PM

Political corruption for money is as old as government itself.

If you want to remove corruption, remove the power which attracts it. You don't fight a cold by blowing your nose or stop drug dealing by arresting junkies.

A less powerful government is one which has less power to sell.

There are two approaches to this. Scale down the size and scope of government power in the economy, or create powerful competing governments (empower individual states) so that the power is decentralized.

Koschei · 01-23-2010, 01:41 PM

SCOTUS ruling is a great victory for freedom of speech.

Wait till these idiot politicians decide it is time to regulate Internet marketing even more, you'll be happy the industry can fight back.

SeattlePurple · 01-23-2010, 01:46 PM

If you like ron paul, he's gone now.

The corps are going to throw SOOO much money at whoever opposes him next election!

Supergeek · 01-23-2010, 02:59 PM

Increasing State authority over Federal might be the way to go, but I'm really not politically savvy enough to know what the consequences of that would be with regards to the things that matter, like educational standards, health and safety standards, etc.

Will we end up with a dichotomy of cheaper (lower taxes), less educated/safe states vs. expensive (taxing) states with higher standards? Or will it be a chaos of varying standards in all areas that change all the time?

Unarmed Gunman · 01-23-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guerilla

If you want to remove corruption, remove the power which attracts it. You don't fight a cold by blowing your nose or stop drug dealing by arresting junkies.

You stop drug dealing by legalizing drugs (see alcohol prohibition) which removes the profit motive, and with it the corruption. If the money isn't removed from politics, the corruption will always be there. This just allows those with the most money, to spend the most. How the fuck is that a victory for anyone other than those that already have the most money and power?

Supergeek · 01-23-2010, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unarmed Gunman

You stop drug dealing by legalizing drugs (see alcohol prohibition) which removes the profit motive, and with it the corruption. If the money isn't removed from politics, the corruption will always be there. This just allows those with the most money, to spend the most. How the fuck is that a victory for anyone other than those that already have the most money and power?

Power will always equal money, that's the problem. There are unlimited ways to make money when you're in a position of authority and power. Even if money was removed from the equation, some people abuse power out of boredom or for the rush (e.g. cops raping suspects with broomsticks.)

UnripeArbiter · 01-23-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popeye

Yes, this levels the playing field for everyone not just the Soros left.

How much money do you have?

Are you a billionaire?

Do you forget that we are on the field too?

Unarmed Gunman · 01-23-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supergeek

Power will always equal money, that's the problem. There are unlimited ways to make money when you're in a position of authority and power. Even if money was removed from the equation, some people abuse power out of boredom or for the rush (e.g. cops raping suspects with broomsticks.)

No shit. So that means we sanction it by removing all caps on spending? That's like saying people are always gonna kill people so we might as well legalize it.

AllBizNiz · 01-23-2010, 03:47 PM

Looks like the Dems are going to definitely be losing next round of elections.

praxus · 01-23-2010, 03:48 PM

Right wingers are big on corporations having freedom to do whatever the heck they want. I'm sure some members here would love to see labor laws return to those of the 19th century. The repubs do an awesome snowjob making 'average folks' think that corporate interests are the same as their own interests.

No contribution limits means open season for corporations to buy politicians. Not that that already isn't going on...

hellblazer · 01-23-2010, 03:54 PM

guerilla · 01-23-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unarmed Gunman

You stop drug dealing by legalizing drugs (see alcohol prohibition) which removes the profit motive, and with it the corruption. If the money isn't removed from politics, the corruption will always be there.

The corruption has been there since the beginning of time. The greeks treated corruption by exile and public murder. The French beheaded their corrupt leaders.

Corruption is not new. If you want to treat the disease, you don't treat the symptoms (corruption/graft), you have to treat the cause (centralized unchecked power).

As long as politicians can decide the minimum wage, and have the power to tax income, and force people to go to government schools, and to control the airwaves, there will be people vying for advantage from that power.

The way to make corruption less likely, is to radically decentralize that power, either by bring it back to smaller political bodies, or for citizens to take control of their lives, and draw a line in the sand over which politicians may not trespass.

So I am not saying corruption should be legalized. I am saying that freedom should be legalized, because when people are free, political power is very weak. When freedom is reduced, the state gets bigger, and attracts more corruption.

I think you're a brilliant guy, so I hope you can see what I am saying. Anything but increasing freedom and diminishing centralized power, is just putting lipstick on a pig.

@Ron Paul fans, a lot of very wealthy people support Ron Paul, but were limited from contributing under McCain-Feingold. McCain-Feingold protects the establishment, which is why contributions have exploded from corporate sources under it. It has brought more money into politics, rather than taking money out. It has also made it very hard to create grassroots political movements with the reporting requirements.

No one should believe that politicians will vote to reduce their own power and wealth. That's great if you're into fairy tales, but it isn't an adult view of the world. There are bad people, and they will find a way to steal from you. Believing that criminals will obey the law is naive at best.

AllBizNiz · 01-23-2010, 04:31 PM

The best way to fight the corruption off right now is to split the two party system. Those mother fuckers all stroke each others cocks in the long run.

praxus · 01-23-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllBizNiz

The best way to fight the corruption off right now is to split the two party system. Those mother fuckers all stroke each others cocks in the long run.

Does something other than tradition actually stand in the way of a group forming a new party and running candidates for Congress?

AllBizNiz · 01-23-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by praxus

Does something other than tradition actually stand in the way of a group forming a new party and running candidates for Congress?

Yeah, it's money. That's going to soon be changing real soon with the power of the internet. You have to be rich to even think about trying to run for anything in this country.

Unarmed Gunman · 01-23-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guerilla

The corruption has been there since the beginning of time. The greeks treated corruption by exile and public murder. The French beheaded their corrupt leaders.

Corruption is not new. If you want to treat the disease, you don't treat the symptoms (corruption/graft), you have to treat the cause (centralized unchecked power).

As long as politicians can decide the minimum wage, and have the power to tax income, and force people to go to government schools, and to control the airwaves, there will be people vying for advantage from that power.

The way to make corruption less likely, is to radically decentralize that power, either by bring it back to smaller political bodies, or for citizens to take control of their lives, and draw a line in the sand over which politicians may not trespass.

So I am not saying corruption should be legalized. I am saying that freedom should be legalized, because when people are free, political power is very weak. When freedom is reduced, the state gets bigger, and attracts more corruption.

I think you're a brilliant guy, so I hope you can see what I am saying. Anything but increasing freedom and diminishing centralized power, is just putting lipstick on a pig.

I see what you're saying and I agree to some extent, but I think its utopian. In an ideal world a lot of things would be different. I just think that this decision is going to be horrible for elections. All this did was make lobbyists jobs 100x easier. I'm amazed that anybody on here thinks that's a good idea for this country, no matter what your political leanings are.

popeye · 01-23-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellblazer

LOL....is that BO as a child crying because his father doesn't love him and his mom is too busy at war sit-ins to spend time with him?

xtacx · 01-23-2010, 08:53 PM

If there is a god i'm sure hes laughing at his experiment, we're doing it all wrong.

01-21-2010, 05:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
invisible777 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,329 iTrader: 2 / 100%	Good. Now people can actually take on billion dollar behemoths like MoveOn. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-21-2010, 05:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
invisible777 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,329 iTrader: 2 / 100%	Corporations. MoveOn is a corporation in disguise. It's sick what they've gotten away with. So if another corporation wants to money-up and fire away at entities like MoveOn, I say so be it. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-21-2010, 06:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
invisible777 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,329 iTrader: 2 / 100%	more like leveling the playing field Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-23-2010, 11:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
popeye Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,827 iTrader: 9 / 100%	For those "special" members that are against this, read up on the actually case. Read why the attorneys for the government dropped the ball. The bill was essentially "burning the books" of a small "for profit" company. While the criminal mega non for profits can do whatever the fuck they want (moveon.org) Yes, this levels the playing field for everyone not just the Soros left. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________

01-23-2010, 01:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
guerilla Be happy or I'll kill you Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: No Posts: 10,559 iTrader: 90 / 100%	Political corruption for money is as old as government itself. If you want to remove corruption, remove the power which attracts it. You don't fight a cold by blowing your nose or stop drug dealing by arresting junkies. A less powerful government is one which has less power to sell. There are two approaches to this. Scale down the size and scope of government power in the economy, or create powerful competing governments (empower individual states) so that the power is decentralized. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ - Great content HERE Quod non apparet non est

01-23-2010, 01:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
Koschei Demon Sheep Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Interwebz Posts: 250 iTrader: 0 / 0%	SCOTUS ruling is a great victory for freedom of speech. Wait till these idiot politicians decide it is time to regulate Internet marketing even more, you'll be happy the industry can fight back. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-23-2010, 01:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
SeattlePurple The KING of CONTENT Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: On an Island in the Evergreen State Posts: 168 iTrader: 16 / 100%	If you like ron paul, he's gone now. The corps are going to throw SOOO much money at whoever opposes him next election! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-23-2010, 02:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
Supergeek The Uberest Nerd Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 1,045 iTrader: 2 / 100%	Increasing State authority over Federal might be the way to go, but I'm really not politically savvy enough to know what the consequences of that would be with regards to the things that matter, like educational standards, health and safety standards, etc. Will we end up with a dichotomy of cheaper (lower taxes), less educated/safe states vs. expensive (taxing) states with higher standards? Or will it be a chaos of varying standards in all areas that change all the time? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ I <3 LAMP. I can also write and edit for $35/hr. Hire me. Play EverQuest? Want to cheat?

01-23-2010, 03:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
AllBizNiz Living The Dream Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,683 iTrader: 34 / 100%	Looks like the Dems are going to definitely be losing next round of elections. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ LSI Content For Only $2/100

01-23-2010, 03:54 PM	#21 (permalink)
hellblazer Agent 44 Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,974 iTrader: 8 / 100%	Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

01-23-2010, 04:31 PM	#23 (permalink)
AllBizNiz Living The Dream Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,683 iTrader: 34 / 100%	The best way to fight the corruption off right now is to split the two party system. Those mother fuckers all stroke each others cocks in the long run. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ LSI Content For Only $2/100

01-23-2010, 08:53 PM	#28 (permalink)
xtacx da gibson Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 175 iTrader: 0 / 0%	If there is a god i'm sure hes laughing at his experiment, we're doing it all wrong. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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