A win for big business


To the Editor:


As most people are aware now, there has been a dramatic ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (FEC). The following comments on January 21 from President Michael Keegan of People For the American Way (PFAW) state it well:


“It is a long-established principle that the government can act in the interest of democracy to prevent corporations from pouring in billions of dollars to unduly influence elections. Congress and state legislatures across the nation have enacted legislation based on this principle for decades and with bipartisan backing. 


“But today the Roberts Court decided that it knew better. Given conservative rhetoric about deference to the democratically elected branches, today’s ruling is stunning. 


“The Roberts Court seems to be most concerned about Constitutional rights when they pertain to business, government, or other powerful interests. Today, not for the first time, the Court privileged corporations over individual Americans. This decision is proof positive that the Supreme Court has lurched dangerously to the right.”


I’m not sure if people realize that now big business, as in big banks and the insurance industry, can now buy Congress with little or no control by individuals. The ruling gives corporations the same rights as an individual. Special interests will hold power with money and access. It will be a travesty to our entire democratic process.


Partisan politics aside, we need to urge our elected officials to control this. Justice Roberts should be ashamed of himself. He’s set this country back 100 years and we are the ones who will suffer.


HEATHER REYLEK


SHELTER ISLAND