The landmark ruling that sought to define the place of freedom of speech in the political landscape of The United States of America could spell the greatest danger to the democratic process in this great nation. This ruling is no doubt a blow to the increasing influence of corporate entities in the general elections. In the United v Federal Elections Board, which case’s ruling was delivered on the 21st of January, 2010, it was held that electioneering broadcasting was illegal if done within 60 days of the general elections, or 30 days in the case of primary elections. Although according to Justice Kennedy, the ruling was meant to suppress political speech that may stir unwanted political emotions, usually channeled through newspapers, television, and other electronic and print media, this should not be the case. Firstly, Journalist have their professional code of conduct that informs their choice of stories. It is therefore improper to argue that the media can stir political emotions.
The ruling formed an integral part of many other benchmark rulings designed to alter the provisions for limits to various corporate bodies’ rights. This in itself raises questions why the united case was not handled on the basis of its own unique facts and instead subjected to a broader approach that culminated in the creation of completely new legislations reversing the major provisions of the First amendment as to corporate personhood. Judges in making their ruling effectively disposed of the previous court decisions that had limited corporate rights to ownership of property as well as their rights to speech. This has raised fears that wealthy business empires may move in to control, or at least influence, the Nation’s politics. What is more, the Supreme Court decision further gives much room for foreign companies to join the race for political control in this great nation, having failed to set clear guidelines in party findings. It is clear that such foreign corporate bodies, if they so attempt to influence the American politics would greatly compromise the leadership of one of the world’s greatest nations.
The United States as it is does not need a puppet president who would dance to the music of their sponsors. And worse still the sponsor in question could be some foreign multi-billion companies with vast egocentric interests in our precious God-given resources. The New York post, reporting on the same issue, questions the wisdom in the decision by the Supreme Court. In a clear gesture of warning, it states categorically that the founders of this great Nation knew just what they were doing when they drew a line between legally created economic entities and breathing human beings. To me, nothing captures more clearly the possible impacts of the infiltration of these foreign financial powerhouses into our country.
It is therefore important that we all come out fighting to eradicate forces bent on destroying the age old American system. The system that has seen some of the greatest elements of economic, social and political prosperity of modern times. One such force is bad laws.
