http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/must-read/keith-olbermann-citizens-united-v-federal-election-commission
Today, the Supreme Court, of Chief Justice John Roberts, in a decision that might actually have more dire implications than “Dred Scott v Sandford,” declared that because of the alchemy of its 19th Century predecessors in deciding that corporations had all the rights of people, any restrictions on how these corporate-beings spend their money on political advertising, are unconstitutional.
In short, the first amendment — free speech for persons — which went into affect in 1791, applies to corporations, which were not recognized as the equivalents of persons until 1886. In short, there are now no checks on the ability of corporations or unions or other giant aggregations of power to decide our elections.
None. They can spend all the money they want. And if they can spend all the money they want — sooner, rather than later — they will implant the legislators of their choice in every office from President to head of the Visiting Nurse Service. …
Brushing up on how you amend the constitution at
http://www.michaelmoore.com
Duration : 0:11:31
Comments
This ruling has …
This ruling has nothing to do with Campaign contirbution. Keith Oberman is an idiot who obviously has a hard time interpreting a ruling that clearly protects free speech and nothing more. If you’re against free speech then you are against the ruling of Citizens United v FEC
When the government …
When the government is telling people what is and is not allowed to be said and when that is no longer free speech. When you have the government telling the citizens that some people or corporations;( MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CNN, CBS, NY Times Washington Post) have more of a right to free speech than others its just wrong.
If Gorge Soros can spend as much as he wants anyone else can too.
LOL, just when you …
LOL, just when you thought you couldn’t bend over anymore, time to break your back.
This country is sooooo owned, it’s over and done with, hang it up, time to start a new country.
Only make sure we have nukes or a doomsday device… I like the idea of a doomsday device much better.
Achtung Amerikaner! …
Achtung Amerikaner!
Willkommen americans to your neue schönen corporate state. Arbeit macht frei as you know. Und all who are critical will recieve special treatment.
@Ruinous
olberman …
@Ruinous
olberman a failed womanizer and sports host? Are you saying this man is better than the o’reilley thing who has no idea what is the definition of democracy?
@JackHauss You …
@JackHauss You won’t always “see” that a particular corporation, etc. “stands” behind any ad. They’ve figured their way around whatever safegaurds there still exists by funneling it through Chamber of Commerce linked PACs.
Besides, nearly every future candidate’s campaign will be funded by corporate dollars.
And those now in office will be threatened by ‘defunding’ by corporate interests if they fail to follow the mandates of the corporation.
Actually anytime I …
Actually anytime I see a union or a corporation stand behind a politician I ALWAYS without fail DO NOT vote for that politiician. Anyone who does is an absolute fool, Any union, business, corporation, even a newspaper tells you they endorse a politician IMMEDIATELY DO NOT VOTE FOR THAT PERSON simply for the fact it tells you they are not considering themselves public servants but a servant to a specialized group.
Have any of you …
Have any of you been influenced to vote for a candidate by a political ad on TV?
If not, you are in the minority?
Now corporations can run as many ads as they want with no restrictions.
Think about it.
HAHAH aww, poor …
HAHAH aww, poor Olbermann the failed womanizer and sports host. I’m glad jackasses like this represent the liberal minority.
Liberals like Keith …
Liberals like Keith Olberman need to realize that this law was unconstituational to begin with and they were simply governmental powergrabs through censorship. They also need to realize these “evil” coroporations are backing liberals with much greater force right now than conservatives.
Apparently 5 out of …
Apparently 5 out of 4 supreme court justices agree with me…
…this time.
@poisonapple16 I …
@poisonapple16 I guess you see what you want to see for whatever reasons, poison you are.
They most certainly …
They most certainly did.
…as those laws violated the 1st amendment.
And corps do have free speech rights; it’s in the 1st amendment.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Can you point out the bit about this not applying to corporations? I don’t see it.
@poisonapple16 What …
@poisonapple16 What? Are you living in a parallel universe? The court struck down decades-old limits on corporate political expenditures which permits businesses and unions to spend freely on commercials for or against candidates. Don’t get all picky and confused with words, it is what it is. Corporations DO NOT have the right to free speech in the same way the constitution grants individual citizens this right. They also struck down federal laws dating to 1947, and state laws that were older :\
As grim as this …
As grim as this sounds. America is not going to be a major player on the world stage in 5-10 years. Were too far behind socially and our economy is anilated.
@neonsilkworm
…
@neonsilkworm
Mate, that’s awesome.
I’m still interested in the country though, how are politics in rural America? On the face of it it seems like country people should be the last people wanting to back a corporate takeover and the end of protectionist government policies and yet poll after poll shows them solidly “conservative*. Like I said, it’s greater media dependance but could it maybe also be religious? We’ve got something similar here but I don’t really understand it. Any insights?
@neonsilkworm
…
@neonsilkworm
Over here in Aus things are both similar and different. On the one hand we’re a lot less polarized and slightly further to the left than America (but then, who isn’t). So while no sane person even considers abolition of public healthcare and the ACTU has a say in policy we’re also surprisingly beholden to right wing views in the media.
Perhaps becuase things aren’t as bad yet our radical politics is relatively small but hopefully ready to pick things up when the time comes.
… Wow, this is …
… Wow, this is the single stupidest thing I have heard all month. Money does not equal a political seat. in terms of elections, a person in a corporation is = to the everyday man.
If you really are so afraid of your politicians whoring themselves for money, then maybe you should find a better breed of politician.
I can, for a few …
I can, for a few minutes at a time, but not for long enough to do jobs like clerical work.
@Nihilist127
The …
@Nihilist127
The day the US gov’t sends tanks, planes, and missiles against its own citizens is the day the government signs its own death warrant. Secession will be the word of the day, and the US as “united” will cease to exist for a good, long while.
@tangent272
I no …
@tangent272
I no longer live in the country; I’m in metropolitan Charlotte, NC! I’m part of Campaign for Liberty and other organizations dedicated to preserving inalienable rights.
When it comes to a conflict between a big government and the people, I have no doubt which side I’m on. Many Americans don’t like to be controlled. How’s the front across the pond?
to a racist not …
to a racist not understanding that black people are people. thats such a absurd comparison. how is that not laughed at by everyone.
olberman is such a …
olberman is such a dumbshit. I literally was shocked. I thought he had half a brain. i lost any slight respect i had for him when i saw this video. Comparing a decision that clearly defends FREE SPEECH of corporations which are owned by people who legally agree to have the corporation run by people for them.
The supreme court …
The supreme court did not strike down anything to do with corporate law. They simply underscored the fact that a group of individuals (corporations included) have the right to free speech.
How the does an opposing point of view infringe on your rights?
We could debate the …
We could debate the meaning of the 1st for decades, you and I will never come to an agreement on this because you see something that isn’t there.
Yes, they are excluded by not being mentioned. There is nothing about business or banks in the amendment. Corporations are not religions, the press or the people. Are you confusing “the right of the people to assemble?” I guess if you want our nation to go from a democratic republic to an Oligarchy state the justices just gave you your wish.