While many blame Citizens United for the massive influx of money in American elections, the true turning point was the 1976 Supreme Court case Buckley v. Valeo. By equating political spending with free speech, the ruling dismantled crucial campaign finance regulations. It paved the way for super PACs, dark money groups, and billionaire self-funders, permanently transforming the landscape of modern United States politics.
citizens united
Citizens United, the Court Ruling That Sold Our Democracy
With Citizens United, the Supreme Court essentially married the terrible idea that “money is speech” to the terrible idea that “corporations are people.” There’s a way out.
Whether It’s Romney or Obama, Democracy Is Losing Big
No wonder so many people don’t see the point in voting. While the rest of us play one man, one vote in democracy’s delusional sandbox, a bunch of donors who add up to a cocktail party’s guest list are sealing the campaign’s fate.
Secret Donors, Unlimited Contributions, Super-PAC Elections as FEC Stalemates
Nearly two years after a U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down key restrictions in campaign finance law, the Fderal Elections Commission still hasn’t begun the process of changing its regulations to comply with the ruling.