You Say You Want A Revolution?

On Thursday, the Supreme Court handed down one of their biggest decisions in decades. With a vote of 5-4, the court struck down the campaign finance reform bill known as McCain-Fiengold. The challenge resulted from a documentary about Hillary Clinton that was produced for the 2008 election, but was never shown because McCain-Fiengold classified the film as a political ad.

The ruling continues the court's push to grant rights to corporations. Now, campaign finance will resemble the Wild West, with no limits at all on what corporations can spend to endorse (or destroy) a candidate.

For their part, the authors of the law had mixed reactions. Democratic Senator Russ Fiengold was angry, "Their decision was a terrible mistake." McCain seemed more disheartened, if not disconnected, "I am disappointed by the decision of the Supreme Court... " President Obama was also upset, "The Supreme Court has given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics." Not every lawmaker in Washington felt the same, however. Senator Mitch McConnell was almost jubilant, "For too long, some in this country have been deprived of full participation in the political process." Yes, Mitch. It is about time that somebody stood up for Exxon and Goldman Sachs!

In truth, corporations have always had too much sway over the political process. Most citizens can't take their senator out to lunch for a wonky discussion on health policy, and even fewer can afford to fly their favorite congressman to Scotland for a little golf outing. This decision just levels out the playing field a little less.