Washington D.C. – It is a day that will forever go down in infamy. January 21st, 2010, the day that the U.S. Supreme Court made our democracy great again by allowing big businesses and labor unions to dominate our government with their unlimited funds. It was a day of celebration for those who believe that money is speech, and the more money you have, the more speech you get.
The ruling in the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was a massive win for the free market and the corrupt politicians who serve them. The decision opened the floodgates for corporations and powerful unions to pour unlimited amounts of cash into our elections, essentially buying the outcomes they desired. Finally, they could put their millions of dollars in their own pockets and give even more of a voice to people who already have everything, while the rest of us were silenced.
Thanks to this landmark ruling, corporations and unions no longer had to hide behind super PACs or dark money groups. They could now spend their riches directly, ensuring that their chosen candidates would be elected. Who needs an informed electorate when you have unlimited cash?
Critics of the decision called it a travesty, a slap in the face of democracy. They argued that it would create an even more unbalanced playing field and that the wealthiest Americans would now have an even greater advantage over the rest of us. But the Court would not be deterred by such trivial concerns. They knew that the only way to ensure democracy would be to ensure that the richest and most powerful voices were heard above all others.
The Supreme Court’s decision has had a profound impact on our nation’s politics. Since that fateful day in January, the floodgates have opened, and the money has poured in. Political ads now dominate our airwaves, and our mailboxes are stuffed with slick mailers funded by corporate interests and powerful unions.
During election season, the majority of political ads were funded by wealthy special interests, not the candidates themselves. Instead of hearing from the people who want to serve us, we get to hear from the people who want to influence them. How democratic!
The Citizens United ruling has done wonders for our country. In the 10 years since the decision, we have seen a rise in corruption, political polarization, and a government that is more responsive to the interests of its largest donors rather than its citizens. We have seen a rise in dark money groups, super PACs, and PACs disguised as “social welfare” organizations, all funded by wealthy donors hiding behind their wealth.
But let’s not forget the positives. We have seen that if you have enough money, you can swing an election in any direction you want. And isn’t that what democracy is all about? The freedom to buy an election and shape the world to your liking? Of course, it is.
On this 10th anniversary of the Citizens United ruling, we should all take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress we have made towards ensuring that the wealthiest among us dominate our political process. It is a proud moment for all of us, the .001%, who finally have the power and influence we always deserved. Let’s use it wisely.
