In Wis., Feingold feels impact of court ruling
Washington Post
[Page 4 of 5]
[Justice] Kennedy said there were safeguards in place for worries about unfettered political activity by corporations and unions: Disclosure.
"The court has explained that disclosure is a less restrictive alternative to more comprehensive regulations of speech," he wrote.
And he said it was easier now than at the time McCain-Feingold was passed.
"With the advent of the Internet, prompt disclosure of expenditures can provide shareholders and citizens with the information needed to hold corporations and elected officials accountable," Kennedy continued, saying such "transparency" allows voters to evaluate the speech and the messenger.
But real life has revealed problems with that approach.
That's what Kennedy said to defend his Vote for 'Citizens United' --
I think he and his Voting Block, owe the American People, an apology ...
Or maybe, some actual Disclosure ???
[continuing with the WaPo article ...]
But real life has revealed problems with that approach.
Critics of the ruling said Kennedy and the majority did not address rulings by the FEC and IRS, which govern the myriad political groups and nonprofit organizations active in elections, that they need not always disclose their donors.
Fred Wertheimer, the longtime campaign finance watchdog who is now president of Democracy 21, estimates that groups will spend as much as $200 million during the midterm elections without disclosing the source of the money.
And after the ruling, with unanimous opposition from Republicans, including McCain, the Senate did not toughen disclosure requirements .
To McCain and Feingold, the court's actions on campaign finance reflect both naivete and judicial activism.
Even John McCain called the 'Citizen United' decision "Naive and Judicial Activism".
Hmmm? Why wasn't this big news? ... Bueller? Bueller?
Even the Wall Street Journal, is conceding the 'Citizen United' decision, may have helped to oust Russ Feingold ... (among many others) ...
One Man Feeling the Effects of ‘Citizens United’: Russ Feingold
WSJ - Law Blog -- Nov 2, 2010
Is the Roberts Court responsible for Russ Feingold’s troubles?
To a degree, yes, writes Barnes. According to the story, Johnson has invested more than $8 million of his money in the race, and although the two campaigns are competitive with each other financially, outside groups have spent nearly $3 million on Johnson’s behalf.
A WaPo analysis shows 92 percent of the outside spending has supported the Republican. The impact has been obvious: The Wesleyan Media Project said there have been more commercials about the Senate race in Wisconsin than in any state outside Nevada.
"I’ve always been a target in this stuff," Feingold said during a recent campaign stop. "And this year, I’m getting the full dose: over $2 million in these ads (criticizing him) that used to not be legal."
Nice, Untraceable Money, paying for Unfactual Ads, to Unelect Public Officials --
Representatives who fight for real People, instead of the Corporate variety.
But wait, Justice Kennedy, has another Happy Camper, in his Corporate Free Speech camp -- who's willing to defend their selling of Democracy to the highest (unknown) Bidder:
In Wis., Feingold feels impact of court ruling
By Robert Barnes, Washington Post Staff Writer -- Nov 1, 2010
[Page 2 of 5]
Justice John Paul Stevens, now retired, made Citizens United the last great dissent of many he wrote in 35 years on the court.
"While American democracy is imperfect," Stevens wrote in his 90-page opinion, "few outside the majority of this court would have thought its flaws included a dearth of corporate money in politics."
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, but colleague Antonin Scalia took up his pen to specifically answer Stevens.
"To exclude or impede corporate speech is to muzzle the principal agents of the modern free economy," he wrote. "We should celebrate rather than condemn the addition of this speech to the public debate."
We should celebrate the addition of Unaccountable Corporate Speech, to the Public Debate ???
Woo Hoo! Let's have a Party. Maybe Christine O'Donnell still has a that Convention Hall rented out? (it wasn't her Money, afterall.)
Well I wonder if Citizen Patriot, Russ Feingold feels 'like celebrating' -- after being painted as "Job Outsourcer," by all that Citizens United outside money? (Because Russ voted for the Stimulus Bill.)
Millions, to fund a False Message. A few thousand times ...
AND Not a signature to be found in the bunch ... to take the blame (or the credit ?)
In Wis., Feingold feels impact of court ruling
By Robert Barnes, Washington Post Staff Writer -- Nov 1, 2010
[Page 1 of 5]
It's not surprising, Feingold told a small group of supporters recently on the windswept campus of the University of Wisconsin at River Falls, that outside groups are gunning for him. He pointed to a recent piece in Washingtonian magazine that divided the Senate into categories.
"I wasn't fourth, third, second: I was the number one enemy of Washington lobbyists," he said, adding, "A Senate seat can't be bought; it has to be earned. We will never let the special interests drown out the voices of the people."
[...] outside groups have spent nearly $3 million on [Ron] Johnson's behalf.
And Ron Johnson WON bought Russ Feingold's Senate seat.
Woo hoo, let's party!
Corporate Speech sure has 'added' to our "Public Debate" -- Hasn't it !?
Those Roberts Supremes, are SO Wise --
NOT!
Those Roberts Supremes, are SO Active -- yes indeed!
Despite their confirmation promises to the contrary, to let historical precedent stand --
And NOT to Legislate from the Bench.
Except for when it comes to Corporate Legislating ... it seems John Roberts, had his "fingers crossed" during his Senate Confirmation.
Darn it! No take backs, ya all!