An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — It is hard to argue that what the American political process needs is more money from the wealthy and special interests.
But the Supreme Court has made sure that is what we are going to get.
In 2010, the court’s decision on Citizens United vs. FEC lifted restrictions on independent spending by corporations and labor unions. That opened the floodgates to these third party, out-of-state groups running the nightly stream of negative ads, slamming one candidate or another with misleading exaggerations.
Spending by outside interests for the 2014 off-year election already was running about three times the 2010 level in January, The Washington Post reported, and the campaign season has barely gotten started.
Then this week, the court lifted the overall federal limit on individuals’ contributions. Donors are still limited to gifts of $2,600 to each candidate for president or Congress, per election. But donors are no longer limited to a combined total of $123,200. They can make gifts to every candidate in every race if they wish.
Both of these rulings were hailed as victories for free speech…
