My first diary!
While answering Paul Hogarth's plea for letters to our senators in support of a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, it occurred to me that beyond the obvious reasons, there is also the argument that we are creating a new "sector of the economy". Just like the finance sector and the weapons industry, this has economic repercussions, and will soon also become "too big to fail." Rather than rewrite it all, here is my letter. If anyone wishes to steal my arguments you are more than welcome! My senators in Michigan are on it, but I also sent a version to Mary Landrieu, mentioning that I'm a Democratic contributor even if I'm not her constituent.
Dear Senators, I am sure we can count on your YES vote for this resolution aimed at restoring sanity and democracy to our electoral process. With no limits on money in politics,it will soon become another "sector" of the economy that seems "too big to fail". These pernicious effects are well documented: giving overwhelming weight and unfair advantage to the wealthy, making it difficult or impossible for lawmakers to then regulate their enterprises in a meaningful way, and requiring lawmakers to spend inordinate amounts of time and resources in fundraising and spending races. In addition, we are turning fundraising and political ads into a growth sector. Like the weapons industry, it will become an addictive source of wealth. The more money pours into it the harder it will be to change course.
As a constituent who expends considerable time and effort responding to campaigns for social justice as well as for protection of civil liberties, I feel that much of my effort is wasted as long as this situation is not remedied. Please, dear Senators! Once more into the breach! This may well be one of your most significant accomplishments.