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January 21, 2010

SCOTUS on McCain-Feingold: DENIED

Posted by The MaryHunter at January 21, 2010 11:15 AM

Key elements of that First Amendment-crushing McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform law have just been struck down by the Supreme Court:

In a broad 5-4 decision in Citizens United vs. FEC, the Court found unconstitutional provisions in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act that prevented corporate and labor union money from funding some kinds of political communication. Under the ruling these groups may now fund political advertisements out of their general treasuries.

The decision overturns Austin vs. Michigan Chamber of Commerce and part of McConnell vs. FEC, which separated individual and collective campaign contributions into two legal classes and restricted the latter. But it upholds restrictions on direct contributions by corporate bodies to candidates, as well as requirements that the funding sources of political advertisements be disclosed to the public.

SCOTUS wonks can find the decision here.

Senator Chuck-U Schumer is foaming at the mouth about this.

"I think it's an un-American decision," Schumer said at a press conference Thursday. "I think when the American people understand what this radical decision has meant they will be even more furious and concerned about special interest influence in politics than they are today."

Just as furious, I suppose, as we were from the last 8 years of Bush-Cheney, that caused them to vote Scott Brown into office in Massachusetts. As Rush said, "You know it's a great decision if Chuck-U Schumer hates it."

Meanwhile...