The most important point regarding the Supreme Courts decision in the Citizens United case stands within the fact that this ruling opened up the floodgates for the legitimated abuse on the part of the wealthy and privileged few in the form of puper PACS, thus drowning democracy. The ultimate question in understanding the structure and function of any society is: To whom does one owe loyalty and why? In validating the legitimacy of super PAC activity, the Supreme Court has turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to the obvious truth that contribution implies obligation.
No one contributes millions of dollars without expectation that there will be a return on those dollars, that favors will be returned in the form of very favoritized voting, rendering a public policy that serves the specialized few at the expense of the many. Gifts imply obligation. Gift giving demands reciprocity. Its that simple: a human fundamental as old as human society, itself.
Even Rick Tyler, Newt Gingrichs super PAC manager has condemned super PACS as a horrible abomination for a freedom-loving people in a constitutional republic (Time Magazine, Jan. 23, 2012, p. 28). In fact, recently, Time Magazine found it both accurate and necessary to utter, ... the nations richest people and corporations now have an outsize way to help candidates by funneling their money through new shadowy organizations that operate out of lobbying firms or post office boxes.... Old rules that prevented these outside groups from directly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate as they wished are simply no longer in effect. (Time Magazine, Jan 23, 2012, p. 28)
And what was the Supreme Courts rationalization in assuring us as to their continued responsibility to American citizens regarding their decision? ... (I)ndependent expenditures, including those made by corporations, do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption.
This is not democracy. This is, in itself, corruption. Surveys and polls across our nation have verified that 80 percent of Americans are in disagreement with the Supreme Courts ruling. Eighty percent of Americans recognize that the Supreme Court was not acting in the best interest of our citizenry as rendered within their decision in Citizens United.
This very principle under discussion was recognized by our founding Father, Thomas Jefferson when, in 1812, he cried out for us all: We must crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to bid defiance to the laws of our country.
My country has been kidnapped by pirates and I refuse to stand for it.
James A. Mischke is professor emeritus of psychology, sociology, and social work at Dine College. He lives in Cortez.
