Supreme Court Declares America a Company Store

As expected, the Supreme Court ruled that companies--American or foreign--could contribute to political campaigns on an unlimited basis. Citing the 19th decision that corporations are legal persons the Supreme Court affirmed their rights under the First Amendment and said that they could fund ads and other eduucational campaigns for or against political candidates. Whether there are direct limits to candidates I don't know because I haven't read the full decision. To give you an idea of the impact, to defeat health care reform the insurance industry and pharmaceutical companies has spent over $1 billion to date. This decision opens the floodgates to our whole political system being swamped with corporate cash. Some wag suggested that politicians dress like NASCAR drivers with corporate logos printed on their clothes.

I don't know who was faster out of the gate Allan Grayson (D-Fla) or President Obama condemning the decision. Alan Grayson called it the worse decision of the Supreme Court since Dred Scott. He also has introduced a series of bills in the House to stop corporate manipulation of the political system.

President Obama blasted the decision as encouraging a "new stampede of special interest money" into our political system. He said,"This is a major victory for Big Oil, Wall Street Banks, Health Insurance Companies and the other powerful interests that marshall their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans." He said that he has called on his Administration to work with Congress immediately to address this issue.

Also today, New Jersey Governor Christie signed an executive order prohibiting labor unions from contributing to campaigns. Whether this can withstand judicial review is doubtful but it gives you the flavour of the times.

The Supreme Court decision was expected particularly when it was leaked this summer that Sonya Sotomayor had raised questions about the original Supreme Court decision declaring corporations as legal persons. The old liberal William O. Douglas wanted this case to be a basis of an enviromental case giving trees rights.

So if you are frustrated with change, you now know officially who owns America. Maybe Barack Obama should declare armed struggle.