There was a condescending saying when I was growing up, and since I was usually the one "walking" (or riding my bike to and from school each day) I heard it a lot:
"Money Talks -- BS Walks."
Never really understood it until later, when I was thrown into the deep end of the grown-up pool -- called
"Getting a Life!"
Money makes the world go round; both the "world at large," and each individual "personal world." Unusual "condescending" things start happening again -- at the "intersection" of those two spheres.
When a person decides to run for office. When a person realizes the mountain of money it takes to compete in that arena -- "Money starts Talking again ... The bigger the pile, the louder the voice.
And thanks to the Supreme Court Citizens United decision -- Money has never been more important to getting the "Talker's" voice heard:
Are Corporations Claiming Tax Breaks for Super PAC Donations?
by Justin Elliott, ProPublica -- Mar 19, 2012
[...]
The most prominent of a new crop of the groups is the Karl Rove-affiliated Crossroads GPS -- which raised $43 million in the 2010 midterm elections and is expected to become an even bigger force this year after pledging to raise and spend $300 million with its sister super PAC, American Crossroads. Democrats are also expanding their use of the groups, led by pro-Obama Priorities USA, which raised $2 million last year.
Precisely because they offer anonymity, such groups may be attractive vehicles for companies that want to spend money electing a favored candidate or pushing an issue. In 2010, Target generated a national backlash after giving $100,000 to a Minnesota group that ran ads supporting a candidate who opposed gay marriage. Liberal activists seized on the donation after it was revealed in state filings. If Target -- or any other public or private corporation -- gave to Crossroads GPS or Priorities USA, the public would never know.
Companies may also be deducting from their taxes the undisclosed donations they give to these groups.
[...]
But tax experts say a company could argue that money given to "social welfare" groups isn't political spending at all and that the donations are instead "ordinary and necessary" business expenses.
(emphasis added)
Sounds "outrageously" familiar doesn't it? Going Tax-Free goes along with the common social good, like Patriotism and Tea Parties. In today's fast-paced world, Corporations should get to speak, first, last, and the most loudly ... That's in the Constitution, right? The uniquely American ideal that "Money Talks" ...
Kind of looks like may we need to update that old saying:
"Money Talks -- and Corporate Money can BS all they want.
Assuming they can find the right 'political mouthpiece' to invest in."
"It's only money" right? Corporations have a right to "express themselves" too right? You remember all those "corporate persons" that signed the Declaration, don't you?
Well, maybe not. BUT they certainly "are talking" now ... in this age of "Corporate-Rights 1st" ... (Citizens can take the political bus.)
The "best corporate thing" about the Supreme Speech ruling -- is that corporations can now invest their earnings anonymously in the political sphere. Hope they spend it wisely, you know on those "social welfare" issues ... that the IRS is supposed to keep track of ...
Notice how Billionaires can buy a seat too, at the Political Speech table in this age of Red, Green, and Blue. They aren't "walking" much either, to get their views "out there" at the intersection of Us and Them. They simply pay to be heard.
Notice those Islands of Blue in the Sea of Red. It's a wonder Dems even have a viable point of view anymore, given the avalanche of Green, currently betting on Red.
In this age of Anonymously-funded SuperPacs -- that can perform baseless character-destruction, without leaving an audit-trail in their wake,
-- the "scandal" at the IRS is the least of our worries, especially if you still believe in a country "of, by, and for the People" ... ALL the People -- and not just the Wealthy Few (those who can buy the loudest mouth-pieces.)
[Note: click on an image to go to its source.]