Citizens United Debate

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” sums up most peoples’ understanding of the First Amendment. Many were dumbfounded when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a conservative organization named Citizens United, in the case of Citizens United versus the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The 2010 ruling has further undermined democracy. Political campaigns are now flooded with dark money, untraceable funds that often determine the outcomes of ballot initiatives and elections. And unsurprisingly the electorate recognizes the advantage dark money gives the rich and powerful and opposes the Supreme Court’s far-reaching decision, as do many members of Congress, and the current President.