David v. Goliath: The One-Year Anniversary of Citizens United
by David BossieOne year ago today, on January 21, the Supreme Court released its landmark decision in Citizens United v. FEC. The decision corrected an anomaly in campaign finance law, and in doing so was a tremendous victory for the First Amendment and Americans who wish to participate in our political process.
The case found its origins in 2007 when my group, Citizens United, a membership organization, sought to promote, distribute, and broadcast via video-on-demand a film critical of then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. If Citizens United would have done so, we were told by the FEC that it would have been a willful violation of the provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 (better known as “McCain-Feingold”) which prohibited corporations from making independent expenditures and electioneering communications. This violation was not merely subject to a civil fine, but rather a criminal penalty – I personally would have been sent to jail for promoting the film. Citizens United filed a lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission to defend our right to promote and broadcast the film. It took more than two years, but the First Amendment protection of political speech was restored by the Supreme Court in this landmark ruling.
In the year since Citizens United was decided, it has been the subject of countless unwarranted attacks and harsh rhetoric. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) claimed, “Citizens United was an incredible act of judicial activism. It turned back a century of federal law, and it nullified Minnesota’s twenty-year-old ban on corporate spending in elections.” Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), in his farewell addressed, alleged that Citizens United “effectively undermin[ed] the basic democratic principle of the power of one person/one vote.” Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) argued that “if we don’t act quickly to confront this ruling, we will have let the Supreme Court predetermine the outcome of next November’s elections. It won’t be Republicans or Democrats; it will be Corporate America and other special interests.” All twisted the decision beyond recognition in an attempt to demonize the ruling and further their own political agenda.
In response to these crocodile tears, Citizens United released a short video today entitled David v. Goliath: The One Year Anniversary of Citizens United v. FEC. Featuring Speaker Newt Gingrich, Ed Gillespie, Ted Olson, and others, the short video highlights the impact of the case and the leveling of the political speech playing field in America. Please take a moment to view this video, and see how Citizens United forever changed the political landscape in American politics and restored our vital free speech rights.
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Senator Al Franken (D-MN) claimed……………
Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) alleged………………….
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) argued………………….
Just seeing this triumvirate of liberal lunacy squawking is enough to prove that the Supreme Court did the right thing.
Thank you, Mr. Bossie, for not rolling over and playing dead. Your victory is ours, too.
Thankfully we have good patriots like Mr. Bossie.
It's a damn shame that we have to fight…….in court everything the Liberals do, just to maintain our rights.
"…Senator Al Franken (D-MN) claimed, “Citizens United was an incredible act of judicial activism. It turned back a century of federal law …"
- That would be a century of mostly progressive-oriented law then. Wouldn't it Senator?
Liberals (Communists) state that only Unions should be allowed to spend big bucks in Campaigns for Public Office.
Yes it is. But I kind of like the approach Idaho is taking, They're ready to pass a nullification of obamacare. This article is typical liberal pap, but the comments are pretty interesting to read. The vast majority of People are ready for just this sort of thing.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110121/ap_on_re_us/u...
That's my take on it. Occasionally the SCOTUS gets one right.
Thank you Citizens United. It's the first step in the correct direction for all of us.
It sure appears that way.
I love that print.
One of Rockwells "Four Freedoms" series.
A picture is indeed worth a thousand words.
Off topic: Today the house is voting on a resolution that would repeal Obamacare. While we appreciate the gesture, it is clear that this bill will not become law. Obama will never accept repealing his signature piece of legislation and we don’t have the votes to override a veto in the Senate.
It may seem like the 2012 elections are something that remains in the distant future, but nothing could be further from the truth. We have been monitoring the liberal media including liberal talk radio and liberal shows like the daily show with Jon Stewart. It is clear that Obama and his drones in the media are ramping up the campaign machine that defeated both Hillary Clinton and John McCain in 2008. Are you ready for the stories about people fainting at the mere sight of Obama? Are you ready for the giant crowds that explode into applause every time Obama’s teleprompter tells him to pause?
Obama plans to raise a BILLION dollars for his reelection. What does a BILLION dollars worth of propaganda look like? We are going to start finding out. While we must focus on removing Obama there are also critical Senate races in Maine, Missouri, Florida, Nebraska, Louisiana, Virginia, Nevada, and others. We must not rest, we must BUILD on the success of 2010 with an even bigger victory in 2012.
"The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves."
George Washington
Al Franken should be reminded of the "lost" votes found to get him into the senate.
Yep, only the progs and the toddler 'n thief spoke out. They want only unions and foreign interests to be able to contribute to the dim cause.
We can not discount any race in 2012. Whether it be at the local, town, city, county, state or federal level, each is very important if we wish our country to change direction. Please register, get out the vote, and stay focused on what it is we need to accomplish. We must get rid of the progressives within government in 2012.
I trust myself to determine which political information is relevant much more than I would ever trust a politician to make that decision.
It's about time corporations could have the advantage of the same playing field the liberals enjoy. What this really means is that the unbridled manipulation of public fiscal policy to benefit the campaign coffers of liberal politicians will now come to an end and without being able to use public tax monies in a deceitful game of ring-around-the-rosy the liberals cannot win elections.
Now we come to the execution of the law. The question is whether or not Corporate America realizes it can play now or not.
Great start! Keep on fighting, statist Washington is in protect mode.
The Liberal/ Progressive Credo:
I have the right to be stupid,
I have the right to be ignorant of all the facts,
I have the right to demand you give me your money,
I have the right to abuse you,
I have the right to break all laws and claim injustice if I am caught,
I have the right to play the race card at the drop of a hat,
I have the right to steal what is not mine, so life is fair,
I have the right to use narcotics whenever I want,
I have the right to have you pay for my health care,
I have the right to have you pay for my bling,
I have the right to steal your property,
I have the right to say anything I want,
I have the right to control you,
I have the right to ignore the constitution,
I have the right to protest with violence (you do not),
I have the right to impose my views on you (you do not),
I have the right to any perversion I please,
I have the right to buy votes and elections as I please,
I have the right to take your life and blame it on mental illness,
I have the right to ride a camel naked thru your church,
I have the right to berate America,
I have the right to burn your flag,
I have the right impose my religious views on you if I have any,
I have the right to degrade your women and children,
I have the right to tell you what to eat,
I have the right to tell you what to wear,
I have the right to tell you what to think, say, and do.
I think that pretty much sums it up.
Viva La Tea Party
"The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves."
George Washington
McCain/Feingold was just one more reason I knew McCain was toast on '08. I was furious that Bush signed it, knowing it was unconstitutional. And RINOs wonder why we were, and still are targeting (oops!) them along with the socialist democrats. So glad these guys fought the good fight, and won. Viva liberty!
The only thing Al Franken brought to the senate, was that people of Minnesota were just as stupid as he.
CL I've always loved Rockwell's work but never followed names of prints
So I looked them up and I think they were all based on Progressive writings
Here is the link ?? http://www.best-norman-rockwell-art.com/four-free...
Feds Threatened Citizens United President with Criminal Prosecution Prior to Court Challenge http://www.mrc.org/bmi/articles/2010/Feds_Threate...
"The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves."
George Washington
Progressives got used to being a small minority with all the campaign money. Boo Hoo for them and their having to play on a level field now. They were fine with limiting laws when it gave them the advantage and more power than their numbers deserved.
I believe corporations are not citizens! Having said that, in the light of current realities, I agree with the supreme court on this issue. Newt Gingrich was not allowed to run for president in 2008 because of his affiliation with his political action committee. This decision allows Newt Gingrich his right to speak out as a candidate for office.
I can only vote for candidates who are running for my representative offices. I cannot vote for my neighbor's candidate, or a candidate for a senator of the next state over. There is no reason I should be able to contribute money to a candidate other than candidates running for my representative offices. Corporations are not citizens and therefore will not participate in the election process and shall not contribute to any political campaign at all. That goes as well for non-citizens living in this country.
True campaign finance reform will reconsider corporate personhood as a component.
"………..Senator Al Franken (D-MN) ……. It turned back a century of federal law, and it nullified …………elections.”…….."
I sure hope he is paying his aides well.
When did Franken learn about,……."a century of,……." anything,….????
It certainly wasn't on SNL.
Good post Wash…
Great example of careful thinking done by the supremes on this one. Especially the Chief.
Although freedom of speech should never be prohibited, I don't think I agree with the whole corp personhood thing. Corps should not be treated as people as they are not people. The arguements I hear are such that the shareholder's must have a voice and the likes. Well, the shareholder's DO have a voice, in their private forum as citizens. When we give corps personhood, we also give shareholders two voices, one as a private citizen and one as the corp. They don't need the corp to speak for them, they have their own voice and should use it.
"The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision that serves to allow judges to void the Constitution in their courtrooms. The decision was issued on January 18, 2011, and the Court did not even explain the decision (Docket No. 10-632, 10-633, and 10-690). One word decisions: DENIED."
The Marxist have taken over, our freedoms are now at risk as never before. And no one is doing anything about it, when did Americans become such pawns to the likes of the current Democrats goals of destroying the nation? They have taken UN mandates and made them our laws,Marxist-oriented Democratic Socialists of America.”
we have already heard how the Obamaommunist plan to accept and implement the acceptance of UN mandates kept from the Population is not new. The Administration has already signed on to the Small arms treaty, removing a section of the Constitution, our right to bear arms is now under the control of the UN. And why there has been no outrage on the part of the Obamaommunist towards firearms in the news. And the new UN mandates for modesty The obvious out come that American Women will be made to become modest according to the UN mandated requirements. Our religious views will be relegated to be criminal if they are offensive to others. Our freedom of speech will be made subservient to the UN demands, the Internet will be made to adhere to the UN standards. Our current standard of earnings will be limited on several areas till every one earns the same amount no matter what their skills or abilities spread the wealth from those that have it to those that do not. Now the to the rights of indigenous peoples "have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used and acquired." is to get “all their ancestral lands back. he scientist that started the unfounded rumor of global warming were lying and that has already been proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be just that a lie? But still the Obamaommunist play on to build cap and trade, CO2 limits to ruin American Industry and ignore the truth of the facts. Taking our industrial level back to the 1920 levels to match the carbon levels. All in keeping with the UN mandates, it is as if our Constitution does not exist The climate scam is being pushed through the EPA and the Homeland Security both to achieve a goal that was set by outsiders. The secret agendas of this administration are designed to make us less than a third world power to ruin the Nation from behind closed doors till we have no rights as granted under the Constitution but only those given us under the UN.
“The truth is more important than the facts." – Frank Lloyd Wright
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” — Ronald Reagan
YEAH democrats don't believe corporations are PEOPLE! put them on the BALCKBOARD
they're probably george soros
Add to it the denial of cert for the cat who dared declare his firearm in checked baggage, be diverted mid flight, end up in New Jersey only to be arrested for not having the proper "permits" to exercise his Second Amendment rights. It is UGLY and folks had better wake the hell up.
If corporations are not citizens, then why must they pay taxes?
Isn't it amazing how validation of Righteousness (Being Right) comes "A day late and a dollar short"… Maybe the correct term would be, a year late and classified as old news/irrelevant information, by the old news (Information beyond/above reproach) outlets (Which holds the bully pulpit of the official source, for anything that matters/relevant/irrelevant)!!!! If they are not talking about it, it isn't important/happening!!!!
Congratulations
It can all be summed up as:
I am smarter than you. I have the right to rule. Shut up and don't bother me.
After all they are the elite. They graduated from Haaaaaaavard (or some other elite school). They have the RIGHT.
What a stupid statement. Not all the citizens of MN voted for him. Mostly, he got elected by election fraud. Less than 50% of the voters voted for him. George Soros recruited and paid him to run in MN. He didn't even live here anymore.
I'm sure George Soros paid for his liberal education and probably some of his friends in Hollywood as well. Just like they paid for and stole the election and "found" votes for him later, etc, etc.
Or they could be a union. Unions were free to support their candidates using member dues to pay, bribe, lie, cheat, steal, elections and anyone who wanted to win bad enough to do their bidding.
Now at least we'll have a more level playing field.
A Soros education,…..???
that explains everything.
Stupid, my a$$…I agree with the fraud.
However, right, wrong or indifferent, Franken was elected by Minnesotans, he has a senate seat, PERIOD.
http://saveamericaconvention.com/
United we stand, divided we fall.
Aesop
Greek slave & fable author (620 BC – 560 BC)
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