On the recordApril 2, 2014
this morning the Supreme Court announced its decision in the McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, the latest in a series of rulings that have done away with any meaningful limits on money in politics. Since the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Citizens United in 2010, we have witnessed the systematic unraveling of our Nation's campaign finance laws. I am sure this is a cause for celebration for some--the superwealthy and well-funded corporate interests--because, after all, these rulings give them more influence, more access, and more power, as if they need it. Then there is everybody else--the everyday folks in Minnesota and around the country who don't have the luxury of pouring millions of dollars into political campaigns. There is the senior on a fixed income who gives $25 to a candidate she likes--maybe someone fighting to contain the cost of prescription drugs. That $25 donation is real money for that senior, but it is nothing compared to the $25 million the pharmaceutical industry can now spend to elect the other candidate. There is the middle-class mom who has just enough money to buy her kids' school clothes, but surely doesn't have enough money left over to buy an election too. There is the small business owner in the suburbs who is so concerned about making payroll that she cannot even begin to think about making a huge campaign contribution.…
