Campaign Fairness

By Brandon Milster

The United States Supreme Court recently issued a lengthy opinion in Citizens v. Federal Election Commission, which is already being viewed as a landmark constitutional law analysis in the areas of free speech and political campaigning. With mid-term congressional elections right around the corner, all potential candidates are reading this decision with great interest and speculation as to its far-reaching implications. In short, the Court held that corporate entities are no longer limited in the amount they can spend to finance political campaigns.

In today’s society, campaigns are already largely influenced by the national and local media, special interest groups, educational institutions, and private spending. Why should the ability of corporate America be limited? This is a major victory for the free speech rights of not only businesses but the American public as a whole. Washington should not be allowed to dictate how a campaign is funded. If the support and financing are available, then the political ideals represented by that individual’s campaign should be the beneficiary, regardless of whose stationary the check is written on.