By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A new investigation published by the Washington Post reveals that a small group of billionaires has significantly influenced the American political system by contributing billions of dollars to elections. Over the past decade, the top 20 billionaire donors spent nearly $5 billion, primarily supporting Republican candidates who often enact policies benefiting their benefactors, such as tax cuts. This trend is exacerbated by Supreme Court decisions like *Citizens United*, which removed campaign finance restrictions. A public survey found that a majority of Americans view this level of spending negatively and believe billionaires have a detrimental impact on society.
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We Must Overturn Citizens United, says Sanders, and that sentiment is echoing loudly as we analyze the billionaire takeover of US politics. It’s a crucial topic, a pivotal point in understanding the current state of our democracy. For those of us who have been following politics for a while, it’s hard not to feel a sense of frustration and, frankly, anger at how things have changed. Remembering the pre-Citizens United era, the difference is stark.
Before this ruling, there was at least a semblance of fear among those who sought to influence politicians with money. The risk of prosecution, of facing jail time, acted as a powerful deterrent. Now, however, we see billionaires openly flaunting their influence, treating politicians almost as personal accessories. This brazen display of wealth and power, the casual way they seemingly purchase access and policy, is a symptom of a much deeper problem that the Citizens United decision helped create.
The very nature of accumulating billions, the sheer scale of the wealth involved, often seems to necessitate a disregard for the common good. That’s a very harsh statement, but it’s a sentiment that many share. It’s almost impossible to ignore the role Citizens United played in the decline of the United States over the last couple of decades. It’s the match that lit the fire, the pivotal event that fueled the current crisis. To put it plainly, it put American politicians on the market. Undoing this decision is not just about changing a rule; it’s about fundamentally rethinking how we finance campaigns.
The core of the problem lies in the fact that money is considered a form of speech. This creates a deeply unequal playing field. The wealthy are given a megaphone, allowing them to shout their demands at the government, while the rest of us are left to whisper. This imbalance fundamentally undermines the idea of equal rights and equal opportunity.
The pervasive influence of money in politics is a cancer that has metastasized throughout our system. Both Democrats and Republicans are heavily dependent on billionaire funding. The result is a political landscape where the interests of the wealthy are often prioritized over the needs of the average citizen. It forces them to protect their giant piles of money.
The complexities here don’t end there, though. We must ask questions about foreign influence, about the legal status of corporations, and whether they can be held accountable in the same way as people. It is a long list of issues. To truly reform this broken system requires a multifaceted approach. Taking ALL money out of politics, establishing a robust system of publicly funded debates with stringent rules, and small individual donations are a start, to be sure.
Beyond campaign finance, we need to consider term limits, not just in the House and Senate, but even for Supreme Court Justices. The concept of lifetime appointments for judges should be challenged; their appointments should be made based on merit. This, coupled with ethics reform and stronger guidelines on who can run for office, would give the government back to the people.
This is not just about tweaking the system; it’s about a fundamental shift in power. Perhaps even to the point of dismantling the wealth and power that billionaires wield against us. The root of so many of our current problems is the fact that politicians can be legally bought.
The Supreme Court and, in particular, the Roberts Court, has come under increasing scrutiny. The rulings that have equated money with speech are some of the most damaging in our history. The emphasis on money in politics has led to a situation where wealth effectively equals rights.
This isn’t just about the legality of campaign contributions, however. It’s also about a deeper erosion of ethics, accountability, and truth in our politics. The challenges ahead are monumental, but the stakes are even greater. It’s not enough to simply overturn Citizens United; we need to dismantle the power structures that it created. The question remains, with the current composition of the bench, how possible is that?
It is easy to blame the wealthy and powerful, but we also need to acknowledge the role of those who support them. Even if it doesn’t sit well, the fact that campaign finance reform doesn’t have the catchy ring of healthcare reform, is a fact that needs to be faced. Without the informed and engaged participation of the citizenry, this will continue.