Corporate Freedom of Speech

I was following the Supreme Court decisions this week and once again they put the time machine of American justice in reverse nine decades. In the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and ruling 5-4 stating that corporations do in fact have freedom of speech and can dump as much money as they want into any political campaign. Corporations have freedom of Speech???

And it turns out that I am in full disagreement with the nice folks over at the ACLU and the NRA on this Constitutional issue. Last time I checked, freedom of speech was an individuals right. Did I miss and addendum somewhere along the way? Do you wonder if the founding fathers of this nation were really thinking that corporations should have a stronger voice than any one individual when they came up with that silly freedom of speech thingy.

Obama continues to assail Supreme Court decision
By Michael A. Fletcher

President Obama continued to assail the Supreme Court decision striking down limits on corporate spending in political campaigns, saying Saturday that the ruling "strikes at our democracy itself."

Speaking in his weekly address, Obama said the ruling this week "handed a huge victory to the special interests and their lobbyists - and a powerful blow to our efforts to rein in corporate influence." - Washington Post

If corporations can now donate as much as they want into campaigns then they should also take up the slack in the budget deficit to support our government and national monuments. Such as…

The Washington Monument: Brought to you by that magic little blue pill OR one of those pesky birth control condom corporations.

Library of Congress: Courtesy of Rush Limbaugh, The John Birch Society, and the GOP. “We will tell you what needs to be historic and what needs to be shredded.”

Fort Knox: Sponsored by Shearson Lehman, Citi Group, and AIW. “Your investments are truly safe.”

Grand Teton National Park…. Hooters - no jingle needed.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Sponsored by Exxon/Mobil and Steak’s R Us and the makers of Caribou Steak Sauce.

Central Intelligence Agency: Sponsored in part, in full, or just a little bit by KBR but you didn’t hear that here.

FDA: Courtesy of Pharmaceutical Association of America, China, and a small test group of patients somewhere in a third world country.

The FBI: Paid for in part by a modest contribution from The Corleone Family.

And now the FEC, courtesy of the Supreme Court is going to be sponsored, paid for, and run by what corporation? I’m pretty confidant that it will be a company with pretty deep pockets but we all know that the price of freedom isn’t cheap.

In contrast to my opinion on this touchy subject, my good friend over at the Gun Toting Liberal is all for the ruling and has his twisted yet logical thoughts on the subject posted.

Feel free to add your thoughts or suggestion in the comments on what Government obligations could be funded by corporations with their new found freedom of speech and check book.

Related Post: Alan Grayson Kicks Big Business Butt

Papamoka