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Poisoning democracy

The recent Supreme Court ruling permitting unlimited corporate funding in political campaigns completes the decline of America from a democracy to a corpocracy. Some, in underestimating the effect of this ruling, suggest that the millions of dollars that will flow against any candidate who threatens business interests will be countered by independent contributors and bloggers. This thinking is deeply flawed and the results toxic to our democracy.

The unlimited corporate monies directed here will command the most skilled campaign managers, polling specialists and media mercenaries to poison, drown out and effectively eliminate individual candidates. Unconnected citizens and true grassroots reformers cannot spend at these levels to get their independent voices heard. Many will withdraw or be silenced by this overwhelming financial power! This is why Sen. John McCain and progressive independents now say, "Campaign finance reform is dead" (Face the Nation, CBS, Jan. 24). All of us, regardless of political affiliation, should be deeply worried and moved to action.

Short of fighting for a constitutional amendment clarifying the difference between a corporation's identity and that of a human citizen, what are we to do? Let's get involved and pressure our legislators to require that the corporate sponsors of political ads and other campaign-influencing activities be clearly identified as well as to make collusion between corporations and their operatives illegal. How? By contacting regularly and demanding that our representatives stand up for campaign finance reform and pass legislation like H.R. 4433, the Ending Corporate Collusion Act, drafted by Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL).

This is an issue that citizens across the political spectrum can understand and see as central to restoring representative democracy. Let all voters find common ground in this most critical issue and come together for freedom and justice. This is the antidote to the poisoning of our democracy now under way.

Charles Perretti

Setauket

February 03, 2010

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1813: David Livingston, explorer found by Arthur Stanley in Africa.

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