Unfortunately, this is something the framers of our constitution did not anticipate, as the concern was primarily to avoid becoming a monarchy.
Now that corporations are legally people, it is only logical that they be given freedom of speech to affect matters that concern them. What citizens need to do is come up with a system that balances their own viewpoints with those of corporations, otherwise our voice will be drowned out. There are signs that the internet has already made this possible. I don't have a source(long forgotten), but despite all the money put into the last election, especially after the Citizens United decision, the outcome of the election did not reflect the amount of money put into the candidates. By and large, Romney should've won if it came to special interests alone. This can largely be attributed to the youth that do not consume media the same way as the older generation. Obama won because he won the youth vote.
This is a problem that citizens face in the modern era. There are many, many institutions that have more "buying power" and hence more influence. We are a society of institutions and corporations that servive independent of individuals.
Well, unfortunately that last election was just post “Citizen’s United” and the “McCutcheon” decision hadn’t been passed yet.
Now that it has…I really do think the people’s vote will be drowned out now…I guess we shall see.
And they are already using their “free speech” rights to discriminate against groups that the owners have a dislike for.
I think it’s awfully clear that Justices Alito, Roberts, Scalia, and Thomas are DEEP in the pockets of special interests and we need to stand united and have them impeached.
You can do that here:
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/impeach-the-rats-roberts-1
When are people going to wake up? Our lives could be so much better if people would only stand up and use their numbers to affect some basic changes.
No more lobbyists for private industry on the floor of congress.
No more corporate welfare.
The progressive tax rate returns to post-New Deal rates.
The banks and investment houses are once again separate entities.
Capital gains are taxed at a progressive rate.
The minimum wage is raised to at least $15 with existing wages tied to the increase.
Universal single-payer healthcare.
Education prices rolled back pre-privatization.
Unionize.
Investments in clean energy and no more oil subsidies…(especially during the summer when they gouge everyone).
I’m sure I may be forgetting something, but I didn’t sleep well last night…ugh…
Anyhow…my point is, these are common-sense things that we
KNOW will work to change things for the better.