The 2010 Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United vs FEC case effectively blocked the ability to enact limits on campaign spending. The Citizens United decision opened the floodgates to the billions of dollars that have since poured into the election system, enabling those with access to concentrated wealth to have vastly more influence over our political system than the average American.
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The 2010 Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission reshaped the landscape of American politics by allowing special interests and unions to make unlimited independent political expenditures. This ruling struck down anti-corruption laws that had been in place for decades, and the consequences have been both profound and far-reaching.
Influx of Dark Money. The ruling opened the floodgates to anonymous dark money contributions influencing elections, calling into question accountability and transparency.
Big Money Dominating the Political Process. Super PACs now raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on ads and political activities. This has created a shift in political power where a few wealthy donors and special interests can bend the political landscape to their interests.
Polarized Politics. This bloated spending on both sides of the political aisle has contributed to further polarization in American politics. Donors often expect candidates to represent their interests, or risk losing their financial backing, allowing those with the most money to dominate political discourse. Money also impacts media coverage, with interest groups purchasing ads that push their own narratives, skewing public perception. This dynamic contributes to a system where politicians face pressures that make political compromise and bipartisanship more difficult.
Undermined Public Trust. Since spending has skyrocketed, the public no longer trusts the electoral system. People feel their voices are diminished and their votes are less meaningful.
This decision remains one of the most controversial Supreme Court rulings in history, with consequences continuing to shape the way money impacts politics in the United States. At American Promise, we believe in restoring power to citizens by allowing them to decide whether and how to regulate the influence of money in our elections through the passage of the For Our Freedom Amendment.
The path to overrule the Supreme Court and end Citizens United lies in the hands of the American people and the constitutional amendment process. As a cross-partisan, citizen-driven organization, American Promise is working with Americans across the country to advance the For Our Freedom Amendment and ensure an equal voice for every American. The For Our Freedom Amendment is supported by more than 75% of Americans of every political persuasion.
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