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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The article details how Dashiell Hammett’s experiences in Montana, where he witnessed corporations influencing state government, shaped his views and later his writing. Now, Montanans are proposing the Transparent Election Initiative, aiming to limit corporate involvement in elections. This initiative utilizes the argument that states grant corporations their powers and, therefore, can restrict their influence, as detailed in a paper by Tom Moore. This approach, rooted in historical Supreme Court decisions, could potentially negate the effects of Citizens United by changing state laws governing corporate charters, ultimately pushing public discourse towards more egalitarian politics.
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The Supreme Court is poised to dismantle campaign finance restrictions, potentially eliminating limits on donations and hindering bribery prosecutions. A new book, “Master Plan,” details a decades-long conservative strategy to deregulate campaign finance, culminating in the *Citizens United* decision. Two specific cases, including one backed by J.D. Vance, could allow party committees to become conduits for large donations, and weaken anti-bribery laws. These efforts aim to make it increasingly difficult to prosecute public corruption, allowing for influence peddling.
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Former Supreme Court Justice Kennedy says “democracy is at risk,” and the immediate reaction is, well, a mix of incredulity and anger. It’s hard to ignore the fact that this declaration comes from a man whose decisions and timing arguably played a significant role in the current state of affairs. The sentiment, echoed repeatedly, is one of “you built this,” followed by a demand for accountability. It’s like someone who lit a fire then warns you about the smoke.
The core of the discontent seems to revolve around a few key actions, most prominently, the Citizens United decision. This ruling, allowing unlimited corporate spending in political campaigns, is seen by many as a direct blow to the integrity of elections and the influence of ordinary citizens.… Continue reading
Rep. Crockett and former Sen. Tester highlighted the detrimental effects of large political donations, citing Elon Musk’s substantial contribution to President Trump’s campaign and subsequent benefits, including government contracts. They decried the resulting cuts to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP, arguing these actions prioritize the wealthy at the expense of everyday Americans. This connection between campaign financing and legislative outcomes, exacerbated by the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, fuels public distrust in politicians. The congresswoman emphasized the need for increased voter engagement and awareness to counteract the influence of wealthy donors and misinformation campaigns.
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Congresswoman Jayapal, along with over two dozen Democratic colleagues, introduced a constitutional amendment aiming to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. This “We the People Amendment” seeks to revoke corporate constitutional rights and curtail the influence of massive political spending, exemplified by Elon Musk’s significant contributions to the Trump campaign. The amendment would mandate transparency in political contributions and expenditures at all governmental levels. Supporters argue this is a necessary systemic solution to counter the escalating power of corporations and the corrupting influence of dark money in politics.
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Representative Jayapal introduced the We the People Amendment, a constitutional amendment aiming to overturn Citizens United and end corporate personhood. The amendment seeks to curtail the undue influence of money in politics by explicitly stating that constitutional rights belong to human beings, not corporations. This would reverse the Citizens United ruling, which drastically increased corporate spending in elections, and mandate the public disclosure of all political contributions and expenditures. The amendment is supported by numerous co-sponsors and aims to restore democratic balance.
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President Trump’s second inauguration, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the Citizens United ruling, highlights the profound influence of big money in politics. The presence of several tech billionaires at the inauguration underscores this, with their collective net worth exceeding $1 trillion. Analysis reveals that a mere ten megadonors contributed over 44% of the funds supporting Trump’s election, a level of concentration unprecedented in presidential campaigns. This extreme reliance on a small group of wealthy individuals is a direct consequence of Citizens United’s removal of restrictions on political spending.
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In a Fox News op-ed, Senator Bernie Sanders warns of a growing divide between the wealthy and the rest of America, arguing that unchecked billionaire influence threatens to establish an oligarchy. He highlights the disproportionate wealth of Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg, whose combined holdings surpass that of the bottom half of the US population. Sanders criticizes the outsized role of billionaires in political campaigns, facilitated by rulings like *Citizens United*, and condemns the concentrated ownership of media and various economic sectors. He concludes that this system undermines democratic principles, urging a fight for an economy that benefits all Americans.
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Elon Musk’s significant financial contributions to the Republican Party, coupled with his threats to fund primary challengers to both Republicans and Democrats, nearly caused a government shutdown. His actions, including public pronouncements against a bipartisan spending bill, prompted outrage and renewed calls for campaign finance reform. This incident highlights the growing concern over the undue influence of wealthy individuals on American politics. The controversy spurred debates within the Democratic Party regarding super PAC spending in primaries and the need for stricter regulations. Ultimately, a revised spending bill passed, narrowly avoiding a shutdown, but the event underscored the urgent need for addressing campaign finance reform.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood