In deference to the Charlton Heston classic Soylent Green, “ It’s people! Corporations are people!” And thus began our descent into madness…
There can’t be any greater of a symptom of political illness than this new role of money and the further estrangement of the citizenry. While the political machine has always been fueled by money, Citizens United and the rise of Super PACS have made the small donor the equivalent of a lemonade stand (if they are truly individuals, limit them to $2500 per election…you know…like individuals).
An elected official cannot listen to the needs of average constituents if they know that they could be run from office with millions of dollars being poured into attack ads from undisclosed sources. Even the “true believers,” politicians who began their journey to public life with visions of Atticus Finch and Mr. Smith, know that before they can save the world they have to save their seat. Elected representation is the only safeguard those without personal fortunes have in our system. To openly reject that notion makes every monument on the National Mall just hunks of concrete and steel, not nods to the greater notions of our extended and wildly successful experiment in governance.
