My initial response to the comments that have been posted is to note that I would not be in favor of this ruling if it just extended to labor unions. They, like corporations, are not people and I don't believe the First Amendment extends to them. However, I think the labor union question is something that people are using as a way of attacking the positions of individuals who disagree with the decision, while missing what I see as the essence of the issue. Labor unions are being raised up as a counterweight to corporations because people assume that they will take opposite positions, and will therefore cancel each other's money out. Aside from the obvious point that labor unions have a tiny percentage of the money that corporations do, it fails to address my main concern.

For me, this decision is not about corporations swinging elections towards Republicans or unions swinging them towards Democrats. It's about more money entering an already corrupt political system. It's about the dilusion of our democracy to an unacceptable point. Democracy is about people being able to contribute equally to a decision to elect candidates, and while this decision obviously doesn't change the principle of "one person, one vote," it is going to allow wealthy individuals, corporations, unions and other organizations to influence the electorate in ways that others cannot.

Things are what they do, not what they say they are. This decision will bring even more money and undue influence into our electoral system. It is rationalized as a victory for free speech, but do not deny that it will change politics in America. Our system is already deeply flawed, but I cannot see how this decision will do anything but make the problems even larger.

I've got to run off to class, so consider this a work in progress as I'd like to get back to it tonight.