The First Amendment refers to "people".  Corporations are not people.   
It's nice to know Sierra Club supports campaign finance reform.  We  
need it for Iowa politics, too.

Donna



On Jan 21, 2010, at 10:25 AM, Neila Seaman wrote:

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2010
> CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
> High Court Unleashes Tsunami of
> Corporate Cash with Citizens United Ruling
>
> Washington, D.C.--The U.S. Supreme Court today, in its ruling in the  
> case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, struck down  
> significant portions of campaign finance laws.  In particular, the  
> case removed restrictions in place for decades that have limited  
> campaign spending from corporations.  The Sierra Club offered the  
> following comments in response.
>
> The High Court's ruling can be viewed here:
> http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-205.pdf
>
> Statement of Cathy Duvall, Political Director of Sierra Club
>
> "We are extremely troubled and dismayed by today's decision.  It  
> appears that the High Court confirmed our worst fears with its  
> sweeping ruling that cast aside the laws that protected us from  
> unlimited corporate campaign spending.
>
> "Congress is already awash in a sea of special interest money; this  
> decision will launch a tsunami of corporate cash whose purpose is to  
> overrun the public's interests.  Big Oil, Dirty Coal, and other  
> special interests have a stranglehold on the Congress and today's  
> ruling will further endanger the ability of citizens to influence  
> the political process.  This ruling could put today's "pay-to-play"  
> political culture on steroids.
>
> "We already have very clear indications of the dangers that lie  
> ahead. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has been involved in  
> today's case, reported just yesterday that it spent a record- 
> breaking $71 million on lobbying last quarter.  Even before today's  
> decision, it has already been laundering hundreds of millions of  
> dollars in corporate cash, most notably for the health insurance  
> industry and polluters, and has pledged to spend tens of millions of  
> dollars in this year's elections.  Now it and the special interests  
> that fund it will be allowed to spend limitless amounts not only in  
> the legislative process, but to support or oppose individual  
> candidates.
>
> "Now only Congress can stem the tidal wave of special interest cash  
> and influence peddling that is about to overwhelm the electoral  
> process.  The Sierra Club has long supported campaign finance reform  
> and we now urge Congress to find a solution to help candidates  
> combat the expected increase in spending on independent  
> expenditures.  In particular, we support passage of the Fair  
> Elections Now Act."
>
> # # #
>
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