Supreme Court lifts curbs on corporate political donations

[ralph wiggum]

The Supreme Court this morning overturned the long-standing federal law that bars corporations from using their money to sway federal elections and ruled companies have a free-speech right to spend as much as they want to persuade voters to elect or defeat candidates for Congress and the White House.

By a 5-4 vote, the court overturned a 20-year-old ruling that said corporations can be prohibited from using money from their general treasuries to pay for their own campaign ads.

The decision, which almost certainly will also allow labor unions to participate more freely in campaigns, threatens similar limits imposed by 24 states.

It leaves in place a prohibition on direct contributions to candidates from corporations and unions.

LINK

[Apocalypse]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has ruled that corporations may spend freely to support or oppose candidates for president and Congress, easing decades-old limits on their participation in federal campaigns.

By a 5-4 vote, the court on Thursday overturned a 20-year-old ruling that said corporations can be prohibited from using money from their general treasuries to pay for campaign ads. The decision, which almost certainly will also allow labor unions to participate more freely in campaigns, threatens similar limits imposed by 24 states.

The justices also struck down part of the landmark McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill that barred union- and corporate-paid issue ads in the closing days of election campaigns.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

[djones520]

This outta be interesting.

[Apocalypse]

Both sides win on this. Maybe the GOP comes out slightly ahead with lifting the restrictions on corps. but both benefit.

[Constitutionally Speaking]

This is a blow for free speech. It obliterates McCain - Feingold and will make it very difficult for the "fairness" doctrine to be enacted.


There is a reason Chuckee Schumer is all in a tizzy.

[Apocalypse]

This is a blow for free speech. It obliterates McCain - Feingold and will make it very difficult for the "fairness" doctrine to be enacted.


There is a reason Chuckee Schumer is all in a tizzy.

And thats a blow for free speech how.....?

[lacarnut]

Both sides win on this. Maybe the GOP comes out slightly ahead with lifting the restrictions on corps. but both benefit.

The GOP comes out way ahead because Corporations are not strapped with limitations on campaign contributions now. For example, total contributions by Al Gore were more than GWB because of this stupid law. There is no way a sitting President Prez should lose that battle.

Obummer and the Democrats are pissed because now the playing field has been leveled. If the Jackasses in DC want to contain contributions lets do it for lawyers, unions and corporation but let's not have it one sided. I am hoping dumb ass McCain sees the light cause the legislation he help to pass has hurt Repubs badly.

[Apocalypse]

The GOP comes out way ahead because Corporations are not strapped with limitations on campaign contributions now. For example, total contributions by Al Gore were more than GWB because of this stupid law. There is no way a sitting President Prez should lose that battle.

Obummer and the Democrats are pissed because now the playing field has been leveled. If the Jackasses in DC want to contain contributions lets do it for lawyers, unions and corporation but let's not have it one sided. I am hoping dumb ass McCain sees the light cause the legislation he help to pass has hurt Repubs badly.

Agreed, but I doubt McCain will see the error of the law, and how one sided it was. His heart may have been in the right place trying to take out so much of the special interest funds flowing into politics. But if your going to pass a law to deal with that, make sure it affects both sides, not just our side.

[lacarnut]

Agreed, but I doubt McCain will see the error of the law, and how one sided it was. His heart may have been in the right place trying to take out so much of the special interest funds flowing into politics. But if your going to pass a law to deal with that, make sure it affects both sides, not just our side.

He is going to have a hard time getting re-elected so he better get behind this ruling, change his stance on immigration and move to the right. You are probably right though; these old time politicians think they know what is best for us; many are going to have a rude awaking in 2010.

[MountainMan]

Both sides win on this. Maybe the GOP comes out slightly ahead with lifting the restrictions on corps. but both benefit.

Everyone benefits and thats why the left is going nuts over this. Everyone has the right to free speech, including individuals that form up as corporations.

What I am waiting to see soon is the banks opening their wallets to run ads against this so called "bank tax" which the banks have already paid back in full with interest.

And yes, I can't wait to see the energy companies pour some of their money into issue ads regarding energy issues like more drilling offshore.