Buying the election with foreign money

[xoxoxoBruce]

The striking thing about this election is the sheer volume of attack ads on TV. Ads that slam candidates, without mention of supporting their opponents, and are not approved by any candidate. The little blurb at the end is some obscure committee or organization. Most of us predicted the Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United case, on January 21st, would lead to this.

Now, during the first election under the decision, Waldman says, "Citizens United has loosed a tide of massive—and alarmingly sneaky—spending. For all the Tea Party hubbub, this election's major factor could be cold, anonymous cash."

Much of that cash comes through front groups, cutouts, and nonprofits, without disclosing who is paying the bill. Money talks, but refuses to leave its name. Target routed its controversial funding [to an anti-gay group] through the blandly named MN Forward. In West Virginia, mining executives are setting up "527 groups" (which can delay disclosure until after November 2) to help elect coal-friendly candidates. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which does not disclose its backers, has pledged to spend $75 million in the midterm elections.

link

It seems some of the donations to the Chamber of Commerce partisan attack ads, are coming from overseas.

I think the Supreme Court ought to be summarily executed and replaced for this decision, and the Kelo v. City of New London decision.