In his statement on the January 21th Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, Ralph Nader begins with “Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court … shreds the fabric of our already weakened democracy by allowing corporations to more completely dominate our corrupted electoral process.”

Two pieces of reality we should be seriously alarmed: already weakened democracy, and corrupted electoral process.

In addition, we must also be concerned about the role of the justices and the Court itself in our democratic system, because I am worried that we have become too comfortable and too accustomed to the apparent political affiliation these judges display that tampers their ability to defend our constitution independently, as demanded by their constitutional duties.

With this unprecedented ruling, by that I mean it proactively overrules a century long statute and two precedents, the Court shows no interest in facing the harsh reality that the vast majority has already lost faith in our government and agrees with Nader’s assessment of “weakened democracy” and “our corrupted electoral process”. No matter how eloquently Justice John Roberts reasoned the ruling and how forceful he tried to attach this to the First Amendment, this decision does not help repairing the “weakened democracy”, it does not help rebuilding the confidence of the public on the government, it does not help encouraging voters to actively participate in the electoral process. It fails to address the fundamental purpose of any fair election law at any given historical junction or all time that these laws are to protect the institutional integrity of the democratic process.

Let’s face it, how many Americans now think their voices and votes can make a difference? How many believe that the institution is focusing on improving the well-being of the people, that the government is dependent upon the People and independent of anything else? America has already seen how money works in Washington. This Court decision only furthers the powerless-feeling in the People.

However, our electoral process has already been corrupted, long before this Court decision, long before the Citizens United vs FEC case. Even without the power of the unlimited corporate spending granted by this ruling in political speeches, the campaigns of Republicans and Democrats alike had already been Kotou-ing to corporations, unions and other special interests for their supplies of money, whether through PACs or large contributions bundled by lobbyists. This ruling just makes it so much easier for both sides – suppliers and recipients. It makes the campaigns that much less “dependent of the People”.

When the People stop speaking, the end of democracy is near.

I do have faith on the People. Americans always speak out loud and clear in critical junctions of the democracy. If nothing else, this ruling services a wake-up call. It helps us to lift the cover and see the threat our democracy is facing. Now it is our turn to stand up, speak out, act strongly and urgently in taking care our own business: clean up the corruption and restore the institutional integrity of the democratic process!

We can repeatedly remind the politicians that our government is “of the people, by the people, for the people.” However, we should have by now come to the realization that money speaks LOUDER.

So, we need action. We need legislation to protect our democracy. And, as Mr. Nader points out, “ It is indeed time for a Constitutional amendment to prevent corporate campaign contributions from commercializing our elections and drowning out the civic and political voices and values of citizens and voters.”

We do have concerned citizens as well as House Representatives and Senators who have realized the severity of the situation that they proceeded with certain vital measures, among them:

Legislative Initiatives:

Fair Elections Now Act (S. 752)

The Business Should Mind Its Own Business Act (H.R. 4431)

The Public Company Responsibility Act (H.R. 4435)

The End Political Kickbacks Act (H.R. 4434)

The Corporate Propaganda Sunshine Act (H.R. 4432)

The Ending Corporate Collusion Act (H.R. 4433)

The End the Hijacking of Shareholder Funds Act (H.R. 4487)

(Petition of Rep. Alan Grayson  on these bills:

http://salsa.mydccc.org/o/30019/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4)

Citizens Campaigns:

Amend the Constitution to Prevent Corporate Control of Our Elections

Move To Amend

Fair Elections Now

Take the matter in our own hands. Take action now!

Tags: democracy, freedom of speech