Liberty
Americans love liberty. Political, economic, or religious liberty motivated most settlers to come to America in the 17th and 18th centuries. Even today, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are the cornerstones of our “American Dream”. So Americans love liberty. Or do we? According to William Hazlitt in his Political Essays, “the love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves”. As I observe the actions of our government on the local, state, and national levels, I have to ask myself—Do their actions demonstrate a love of liberty or a love of power?
Consider the recent US Supreme Court ruling Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. In this historical 5-4 decision, the high court overturned precedent to grant corporations the same power as individuals to influence elections. The case originated during the 2008 Presidential campaign when Citizens United, a conservative group funded by corporations, attempted to show a film in theaters and on-demand cable channels critical of Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The group wanted to use corporate funds to broadcast and promote the film. The FEC ruled that only disclosed contributions, which are limited by campaign law, could be used in the promotion of the film. This ruling significantly limited the influence of corporate America from using its enormous financial resources to influence voters and the political process. A lower federal court upheld that ruling. The US Supreme Court this week overturned the lower court ruling. Why? If you listen to Justice Anthony Kennedy, the author of the court’s majority opinion, the decision is rooted in liberty. He states, “No governmental interest justifies limits on the political speech of non-profit or for profit corporations.” In other words, to the conservative majority of the court, this case is about liberty—precisely the First Amendment. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), Senate minority leader concurs by adding, “For too long, some in this country have been deprived of full participation in the political process. With today’s ruling, the Supreme Court took an important step in restoring the First Amendment rights of these groups by ruling that the Constitution protects their right to express themselves about political candidates and issues until Election Day.” This ruling doesn’t restore the Constitutional rights to groups to express themselves. Rather it further increases the power of corporate America over the ordinary American citizens. Corporations do not necessarily have the interests of America at the heart of their decisions. In fact many corporations are multinational. The corporation is most concerned about profit. They pursue an agenda that best promotes their “bottom line”. Giving that group additional influence over the electorate process seriously jeopardizes American democracy. Corporations are made up by private citizens. Their voices should be heard only when they are speaking as citizens, loyal to American democracy. I am not concerned about limiting corporate America rights—because I am not sure the First Amendment applies to such bodies. Treating corporations as individuals, who have Constitutional rights like freedom of speech, will result in a loss of influence and power of the people. That loss of liberty does concern me. Conservatives and liberals should all agree on that. In fact John McCain stated that he was, “disappointed by the decision”. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) called it a “terrible mistake”.
Those who support this ruling “love power”. This decision will allow corporations to use the power of its money to influence public opinion and public policy. Corporations are motivated by profit—self-interest or William Hazlitt said, the “love of self”. If Americans truly cherish liberty we will show our “love for others” by demanding Congress limit the encroaching power of corporate America. Any politician ,who supports this recent Supreme Court ruling, cannot love LIBERTY.
Americans love liberty. Political, economic, or religious liberty motivated most settlers to come to America in the 17th and 18th centuries. Even today, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are the cornerstones of our “American Dream”. So Americans love liberty. Or do we? According to William Hazlitt in his Political Essays, “the love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves”. As I observe the actions of our government on the local, state, and national levels, I have to ask myself—Do their actions demonstrate a love of liberty or a love of power?
Consider the recent US Supreme Court ruling Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. In this historical 5-4 decision, the high court overturned precedent to grant corporations the same power as individuals to influence elections. The case originated during the 2008 Presidential campaign when Citizens United, a conservative group funded by corporations, attempted to show a film in theaters and on-demand cable channels critical of Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The group wanted to use corporate funds to broadcast and promote the film. The FEC ruled that only disclosed contributions, which are limited by campaign law, could be used in the promotion of the film. This ruling significantly limited the influence of corporate America from using its enormous financial resources to influence voters and the political process. A lower federal court upheld that ruling. The US Supreme Court this week overturned the lower court ruling. Why? If you listen to Justice Anthony Kennedy, the author of the court’s majority opinion, the decision is rooted in liberty. He states, “No governmental interest justifies limits on the political speech of non-profit or for profit corporations.” In other words, to the conservative majority of the court, this case is about liberty—precisely the First Amendment. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), Senate minority leader concurs by adding, “For too long, some in this country have been deprived of full participation in the political process. With today’s ruling, the Supreme Court took an important step in restoring the First Amendment rights of these groups by ruling that the Constitution protects their right to express themselves about political candidates and issues until Election Day.” This ruling doesn’t restore the Constitutional rights to groups to express themselves. Rather it further increases the power of corporate America over the ordinary American citizens. Corporations do not necessarily have the interests of America at the heart of their decisions. In fact many corporations are multinational. The corporation is most concerned about profit. They pursue an agenda that best promotes their “bottom line”. Giving that group additional influence over the electorate process seriously jeopardizes American democracy. Corporations are made up by private citizens. Their voices should be heard only when they are speaking as citizens, loyal to American democracy. I am not concerned about limiting corporate America rights—because I am not sure the First Amendment applies to such bodies. Treating corporations as individuals, who have Constitutional rights like freedom of speech, will result in a loss of influence and power of the people. That loss of liberty does concern me. Conservatives and liberals should all agree on that. In fact John McCain stated that he was, “disappointed by the decision”. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) called it a “terrible mistake”.
Those who support this ruling “love power”. This decision will allow corporations to use the power of its money to influence public opinion and public policy. Corporations are motivated by profit—self-interest or William Hazlitt said, the “love of self”. If Americans truly cherish liberty we will show our “love for others” by demanding Congress limit the encroaching power of corporate America. Any politician ,who supports this recent Supreme Court ruling, cannot love LIBERTY.
