Preview

The Campaign Boondoggle: Case Study

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1722 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Campaign Boondoggle: Case Study
The Campaign Boondoggle
Fred Krimmelbein
SOC 120
Cari Lynn Beecham-Bautista
Monday September 16th

Corporate America plays a significant role in elections from participating in political action committees to specifically targeting or supporting candidates through contributions and advertising. The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld law demonstrating that the rights of an individual and a corporation are the same when it comes to free speech (Barnes, 2013), which in this case applies to how and where people and corporations spend their money on elections.
Corporations function with the purpose of creating products or delivering services for profit (Mosser, 2010). As such they also need to pay attention to how the political arena impacts their profitability through legislation, regulation and taxation that could impede their ability to remain profitable.
When the industrial age hit America many political factions within our country wanted to determine the political path for businesses, unions came out strongly in support of Democrats and corporations came out strongly in support of Republicans. These practices are still in place today though they are not as evident as they once were.
…show more content…
There are a couple of quotes from President John Adams that state: “Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.” “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. ” (Brainyquote.com, 2013). Essentially Democracy is the giving over of government to the whims of the masses every action the government should take and neglects the rule of

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Debates about the Citizens United case have been ripe throughout the entire country. In the case, the majority of the Supreme Court ruled that company broadcasts could not be limited. In addition, they ruled that there was no cap on company funding on candidates, but that there had to be a middleman of a superpac. Setting dangerous future implications, this decisions greatly undermines the future democracy of the country through condoning skewed political power based on wealth and by giving first amendment right to a company (Citizens 1).…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This allows corporations to indirectly support political leaders, but ultimately they cannot voice their concerns. The essay also argues that corporations do in fact deserve to have the same protections since they are not technically able to vote, but must pay taxes. Without the ability to have free political speech, these corporations technically do not have any way to influence any decision that may affect their businesses or trades. The essay…

    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Fec vs. Citizens United

    • 1289 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The First Amendment has been one of the most controversial issues surrounding the Constitutions since its ratification in 1787. The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Many people disagree on the extent of power the First Amendment actually has on the right to free speech. One of the most controversial issues surrounding the First Amendment is how much influence a company can have over elections and campaigns. Huge corporations are known to pay billions of dollars to endorse certain politicians, and in turn the politicians pass legislation benefitting the corporation. Is this fair, or even legal? The Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission dove right into the issue. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was an important United States Supreme Court case in which it was decided that the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting political expenditures by corporations and unions. Citizens United, a nonprofit organization, produced a political controversial video on Senator Hillary Clinton prior to the 2008 primary elections, known as Hillary: The Movie. The documentary covered Hillary Clinton's life while in the Senate, the White House as First Lady and during her bid for presidential Democratic nominee. However, the documentary falls within the definition of "electioneering communications" under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 ("BCRA")-a federal enactment designed to prevent "big money" from unfairly influencing federal elections. In a 5–4 decision, the Court held that BCRA violated the First Amendment.…

    • 1289 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ever since the Citizens United decision made by the Supreme court, an unlimited amount of money has been poured into supporting candidates for president. We need to enact a new amendment to stop major corporations from limitlessly funding candidates to heavily influence the American system and regulate the amount of money given to presidential candidates.…

    • 555 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Campaign finance reform is the issue of our lifetime. While we may point to climate change, gun control, economic inequality, the underlying problem is the influence of money in politics. Our representatives are focused on winning elections, instead of addressing constituent concerns. They have to specifically focus on spending the majority of their working time calling donors, and raising money for their campaigns, that this puts their real job on hold. Time spent calling people and asking for donations is estimated to be around ⅓ to ½ of their work day. Just this fact itself proves that the insane influence of money in politics is detrimental to democracy and disallows politicians to focus on what really matters: the voices…

    • 296 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In a democracy, people choose their leaders by voting, and everyone is treated equally. Democracy revolves around rule by the majority. In my opinion, colonial America was on its way to democracy, but far from being a true democratic society. Only a small portion of the people were able to make the decisions, so government did not revolve around the majority.…

    • 294 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Democracy, also known as democratic government, is essentially a government by the people. It is a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but sometimes exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed during elections.…

    • 387 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    How Democratic Is the Uk?

    • 1763 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Democracy is a difficult concept to define, but as a simplification and a conventional definition, it is the people's right to choose and the right to say how the country is run. Democracy falls into many categories and comes in various different forms. One form is when power is in the hands of the population as a whole and political decisions are made themselves, this is known as direct democracy. An example of a direct democracy currently present in the UK is a referendum. Another form is representative democracy; in this case citizens will vote for representatives to create decisions for them and the responsibility is handed over to the representative to make decisions for the country. The representatives are also accountable to the electorate.…

    • 1763 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Campaign Finance Reform

    • 3014 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Each year billions of dollars are spent on getting candidates of various offices of government elected. Many candidates have had tremendous success through the efforts of much needed monetary contributions to their campaign. Contributors range from unions, religious leaders, organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), the National Rifle Association (NRA), and senior citizens groups. When these groups, known as special interest groups, donate to candidate’s campaign, they expect the candidate to respond to their issues. Because special interest groups, as well as private citizens donate more and more money to campaigns, there is some concern that there is a great need for campaign finance reform.…

    • 3014 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Citizens United

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Almost a century ago, back to the time when the modern corporation was created, sprung the Progressive era that flourished with political reforms and social activism. Along with the corporations also came laws that have always prohibited or limited the use of corporate money in elections as a result of Progressive reform’s efforts to eliminate social and political problems, especially corruption. These specific laws have been in place up until January 21, 2010 during the landmark case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, when the Supreme Court ruled with a 5-4 majority that the government may not ban political spending by corporations in candidate elections. As a result, the court also overruled its 1990 case Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which upheld restrictions on corporate spending to support or oppose political candidates, and partially overruled the 2003 case McConnell v. Federal Election Commission, which upheld the part of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 that restricted campaign spending by corporations and unions. The case formed when prior to the 2008 primary elections, Citizens United, a nonprofit corporation produced a 90 minute documentary entitled Hillary: The Movie. The movie conveyed opinions about whether Hillary Clinton, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, was fit for the presidency. However, The Movie falls within the definition of "electioneering communications" under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, a federal act designed to prevent "big money" from wrongly influencing federal elections-which, as well as other things, prohibits corporate financing of "electioneering communications" and enforces “mandatory disclosure and disclaimer requirements on such communications.” The District Court for the District of Columbia denied Citizens United's preliminary injunction motion to enjoin the Federal Election Commission ("FEC") from enforcing these provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign…

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A democracy is the type of system of government that the United States is run on. Under a democracy, the population and the people who are eligible to do so, vote to elect representatives for our state and country. As American citizens, we are extremely privileged to live in a country where we are free to be who we want and basically do what we want. Yes, under a democracy we still have laws we have to abide by, but overall, we have the most freedom out of any other country in this world. According to ait.org, a democratic government exists to serve the people, but citizens in democracies must also agree to abide by the rules and obligations by which they are governed(what is democracy).…

    • 1771 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Voter Fraud

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The ultimate source of political power in the United States of America lies in the people as we carry out our civic responsibilities. By voting, Americans have the right to choose who they feel will be a trustworthy candidate and national leader. Unfortunately, the candidates are not able to select the voter that would choose them. For many years, from scholars to politicians to the average American have believed that individuals are illegally meddling with the elections by either increasing or decreasing the votes of a favored candidate. Despite the theory, if such a crime exists in America, why is it difficult to find evidence of these accusations when there are so many ways of doing so?…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Are campaign contributions threatening democracy here in the United States? Many believe contributions to campaigns should not only be regulated but limited to prevent the abuse of fiscal power. Others adamantly disagree and proclaim supporting their candidate financially is a civil liberty granted to them by the constitution. However you stand on this issue, we must all accept the fact that the flood gates are now open.…

    • 453 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Campaign Finance Reform

    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Effective election campaigns have always relied on the candidates’ ability to raise money. Even in the days before television, radio and the internet, it still took money to get the word out to the people in a far-flung land. However, today’s candidates are faced with raising larger and larger amounts of money with each new election that comes along.…

    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “It's exciting; I don't know whether I'm going to win or not. I think I am. I do know I'm ready for the job. And, if not, that's just the way it goes.”…

    • 823 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays