Invitation to Buy American Politic$
Posted: 03/04/2014 | Author: The Political Idealist | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Citizens United, democracy, democrats, equality, justice, liberty, news, Politics, republicans, society, US, us politics |Leave a commentAmerican political parties burn through campaign funds at an astounding rate. A nuclear arms race of rallies, aircraft and (above all) advertising between Republicans and Democrats and their associated political action committees has turned election campaigns into a multibillion dollar business. All that money has to come from somewhere, and it could hardly be raised from the general public. Corporations, lobby groups and the uber-rich are courted by both main parties as their money is essential to winning elections.
In the 1970s, Congress voted through legislation to curb the worst excesses of this system, which gives formidable political influence to a small group of people. The logic was, if both parties had to raise funds from a broad coalition of donors, they would be impossible to buy. I’m sure some of the organisations and individuals who write seven figure cheques to political parties have no ulterior motive. But most do not give that kind of money without expectation of some benefit in return. Why else would Democrats and Republicans alike be so feeble in their defence of the American people against corporate excesses?
Yesterday, the US Supreme Court struck down one of the last planks of the 1970s legislation. The overall cap on donations to political parties at $3,000,000 per year has gone, as judges voted 5-4 that the law breached the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech. Following the Citizens United case, in which limits on spending by political action committees were lifted, this marks the descent of American politics into “one dollar, one vote”.
Freedom of speech is a noble idea, one that could not be further from the shady, corrupting nature of big money politics.
If the Establishment wanted to, they could impose a European-style party funding system tommorow. Tight limits on campaign expenditure and individual donations would be introduced, whilst political action committees would be regulated too. The multibillion race for advertising slots would be replaced with a balanced allocation of free party election broadcasts. Both parties would continue to have equal exposure, but with the difference that they both spend in the tens of millions rather than the billions. If the establishment were determined to clean up politics, they could do this. If the law violates some right-wing judges’ interpretation of the Constitution, then it could be amended- with cross party support, that can be done easily.
But the truth is, the parties do not sell themselves to the highest bidder reluctantly, as an unpleasant necessity of staying in the electoral game. The majority of America’s high level politicians are content with the status quo, and will allow their country to drift further under undemocratic influence if left unchecked. It’s not a plot, but it’s a trend that we’re all vaguely aware of.
Vague concern won’t solve it, though.
