Money and Politics

Two years ago this week the U. S. Supreme Court ruled in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case that corporations are persons and have the same First Amendment rights as do, well, real people.

Essentially the court ruled that money is free speech and is protected by the First Amendment. Under the Citizens United ruling the definition of a corporation is not limited to business constructs such as Exxon-Mobile, G.E. etc. who, with no disclosure obligations, can spend as much money as they want to influence elections.

A corporation can also be formed by a group of individuals with a vested interest in an issue or candidate. The sole purpose of these political corporations is not to make money but to give away money, to political campaigns.

The Citizens United decision virtually allows an unlimited amount of money to flow into an electoral process that is already awash with money; an electoral process in which our country is quickly losing faith in. The Citizens United decision is destroying our Democracy and must be stopped.

There is a growing grassroots movement from across the political spectrum for a constitutional amendment to reflect the common-sensible judgment that corporations are not persons and that money is not free speech.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. there will be a rally at the intersection of Larkin Avenue and Jefferson Street in Joliet calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision. This event will be held in coordination with hundreds of similar events taking place nationwide.

If you believe corporations are not persons, that money is not free speech and wish to take the first step in getting money out of politics, join us.

—Ron Kurowski