Law in Contemporary Society

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CitizensUnitedVFederalElectionCommission 7 - 03 Feb 2010 - Main.SamHershey
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 How do you guys feel about this decision? Although I haven't read the actual decision yet, I can only imagine how the holding is going to destroy any chance this country has of holding fair elections in the future. I don't really know too much about First Amendment law, but I am outraged that the Supreme Court has forfeited our democracy to uphold such an absurd principle. If anyone ever meets a corporation, please let me know.

-- NathanStopper - 23 Jan 2010

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 Of course, you might make the counter-argument that this could lead to the democratization of corporations. If consumers began to make choices on which product to buy based upon the election spending that the company would make, corporations might, you could argue, begin to spend only in ways that their consumer base would support. I would argue, however, that this is unlikely. Most consumers won't know about the ability of corporations to make political advertisements with the money given to the corporation from the consumer, and many consumers who do will probably not change their behavior substantially.

-- AndrewCascini - 03 Feb 2010

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Andrew, I appreciate your response, but on a fundamental level I really do not see how the issue you raise is a legislation-worthy problem. Some adults will fail to do their due diligence and will give money to companies that support causes they disagree with. Therefore Congress needs to step in and protect them from themselves?

-- SamHershey - 03 Feb 2010

Just to expand a little on what I just wrote, what I find troubling about your argument are its paternalistic implications. Remember that political contributions are all open and documented. Anyone can find out what causes companies support. Also keep in mind that boycotts occur all the time against companies that take controversial positions. (Note the ongoing boycott against Whole Foods since its CEO openly opposed universal health care.) It is true that some people will fail to do their homework and will embarrass themselves by supporting their opponents. But how much can those people claim really to care if they didn't even take the time to do their due diligence? And is it really the government's role to save us from embarrassment and frustration?

-- SamHershey - 03 Feb 2010

 
 
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Revision 7r7 - 03 Feb 2010 - 19:32:28 - SamHershey
Revision 6r6 - 03 Feb 2010 - 18:25:27 - AndrewCascini
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