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stuartsdesk1

(85 posts)

110. Are the Justices Able to Read English? You Could Have Fooled Me....

Wed Apr 2, 2014, 01:58 PM

Apr 2014

The 1st amendment to the constitution says -

"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."

Everyone is guaranteed the right to speak their mind and to print their message in a newspaper.

But, is everyone guaranteed the right to be heard? If I have enough money, can I deluge the
public with unlimited propaganda? Can I shout down my opponents? Can I buy up more advertising
space in all of the newspapers? Buy up more air time? Buy 30 seconds of Superbowl time? Or buy up all
the advertising time during a Superbowl telecast?

There is no such guarantee in the 1st amendment. Reasonable laws limiting the right to be heard, having
the goal of insuring fairness, preserving the rights of disenfranchised and the poor to express their views are
not in violation of the constitution.

The Justices apparently are unable to read simple English. I thought this was a requirement
for entering law school? Evidently not.

For a lighter take on campaign finance, "Citizens United" and money in politics
please go to www.stuartsdesk.com

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BREAKING: Caps on Total Campaign Giving Struck Down by U.S. Supreme Court [View all] Hissyspit Apr 2014 OP

I had a feeling they would go for broke! CJCRANE Apr 2014 #1

So they have actually completely destroyed even the smallest thread of the campaign finance reform. lostincalifornia Apr 2014 #2

Citizens United was their surprise for the 2010 mid-terms. CJCRANE Apr 2014 #6

Harldly anything wasn't left before, now even that is gone. lostincalifornia Apr 2014 #11

Sadly, some morons still try to spin CU like it was a positive thing Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #68

The only thing "positive" is that these rich MF'ers will make fools of themselves spending so much Dustlawyer Apr 2014 #117

Rich liberal interests... IkeRepublican Apr 2014 #132

Glenn Greenwald loves the CU ruling. Ikonoklast Apr 2014 #122

All I could think of when I heard the news today was Romney's voice. redwitch Apr 2014 #134

We no longer have a "balance of power" in our government. The SCOTUS has taken rhett o rick Apr 2014 #13

It sure seems that way lostincalifornia Apr 2014 #16

Call this what it really is-Fascism ... aggiesal Apr 2014 #100

Well, if we're too stupid or lazy or inept RiverNoord Apr 2014 #115

If you are trying to stir us on to greater things, you are failing. nm rhett o rick Apr 2014 #116

Nope, I'm just tired of the 'hero/villian' nonsense of RiverNoord Apr 2014 #126

Deliberate. How anyone can use reason to come to the conclusion that this is just or fair is beyond gtar100 Apr 2014 #3

The day democracy died. Jackpine Radical Apr 2014 #4

22NOV1963. nt awoke_in_2003 Apr 2014 #51

Maybe so, but it wasn't obvious at the time. Jackpine Radical Apr 2014 #61

they are not even awoke_in_2003 Apr 2014 #79

No they are not, because they know Americans are too supine to do a damn thing about it villager Apr 2014 #94

The Koch brothers and their ilk will soon be buying every single election now. LonePirate Apr 2014 #5

There is a movement to boycott Koch brothers goods and products. Read post under "Politics 2014." Cal33 Apr 2014 #80

Right down to the smallest school board and city council member. CanonRay Apr 2014 #93

Quiet Roy Rolling Apr 2014 #7

don't hold your breath! mikeysnot Apr 2014 #44

bastard people florida08 Apr 2014 #8

And the (almost complete) corporate dotymed Apr 2014 #9

. BumRushDaShow Apr 2014 #10

I'm not exactly surprised, but this is a horribly bad decision. ananda Apr 2014 #12

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OnyxCollie Apr 2014 #14

K&R Solly Mack Apr 2014 #15

Yep, that'll do it. malthaussen Apr 2014 #17

GOTV bpj62 Apr 2014 #18

I will not surprise me if the opposite effect will be seen 2banon Apr 2014 #101

Read more: Link to source DJ13 Apr 2014 #19

Ruling here: joshcryer Apr 2014 #25

Thank you DJ13 Apr 2014 #47

oh fucking no. BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2014 #20

Corporations are people, and corporations can by votes. Thank you supreme court for destroying the lostincalifornia Apr 2014 #21

Roberts' Court is our downfall mehrrh Apr 2014 #22

We have a lot of rich Democrats also. juajen Apr 2014 #135

Christ, read the dissent, they basically redefined corruption: joshcryer Apr 2014 #23

Caps on Total Campaign Giving Voided by U.S. Supreme Court - link enclosed OKNancy Apr 2014 #24

Throwing cash at politicians is not "the most fundamental First Amendment activity.” It is bribery. SunSeeker Apr 2014 #37

yup, Roberts' opinion says right there, "Campaign giving is free speech" wordpix Apr 2014 #63

... Scuba Apr 2014 #26

Exactly toby jo Apr 2014 #46

+1000 mountain grammy Apr 2014 #66

+1 Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #69

Until the revolt theHandpuppet Apr 2014 #77

That's my question. What will be that final straw? n/t 2banon Apr 2014 #92

None, for Americans. Climate change spasms will eventually force a break-up into smaller polities villager Apr 2014 #95

This is so often in my mind... we need to rise up. nt JudyM Apr 2014 #98

+1 Enthusiast Apr 2014 #104

April Foo-- Tommy_Carcetti Apr 2014 #27

USA Today- Supreme Court lifts ban on aggregate campaign donations PoliticAverse Apr 2014 #28

This proves it. baldguy Apr 2014 #29

well rtracey Apr 2014 #30

.... handmade34 Apr 2014 #38

thank you rtracey Apr 2014 #113

sometimes handmade34 Apr 2014 #119

The cap stands on individual contests. earthside Apr 2014 #31

Correct - USA Today link underpants Apr 2014 #40

Until someone sues to raise that cap. joshcryer Apr 2014 #49

Exactly. If it interferes with free speech to have a general cap, it interferes Nay Apr 2014 #87

Maybe a bit longer but definitely before 2016. joshcryer Apr 2014 #123

I call it lancer78 Apr 2014 #56

This will bite the Repugs on the rear MosheFeingold Apr 2014 #86

Even if that's true, Dems don't seem to know how to spend the money. We have Nay Apr 2014 #90

This I didn't know mostlyconfused Apr 2014 #103

No, the Kochs are small players, just effective MosheFeingold Apr 2014 #128

They've been turned into boogie men mostlyconfused Apr 2014 #141

The Kochs ARE boogiemen MosheFeingold Apr 2014 #142

I'm sick to my stomach Politicub Apr 2014 #32

Me too underpants Apr 2014 #34

It's already hear. zeemike Apr 2014 #50

I'm just speechless. myrna minx Apr 2014 #88

Welcome to the United States of Koch-Adelson. Orrex Apr 2014 #33

I think it's safe to say Ichingcarpenter Apr 2014 #35

And the flood gates have been open fasttense Apr 2014 #36

Oh good. vi5 Apr 2014 #39

They'd better remember JFK's words: Brigid Apr 2014 #41

Progressivism is not compatible with corporate rule Politicub Apr 2014 #45

The really big money will still go in via dodgy 501(c)(3) and (4)s muriel_volestrangler Apr 2014 #42

I have mixed feelings about this... brooklynite Apr 2014 #43

No surprise by your feelings on the matter Ichingcarpenter Apr 2014 #64

Well, I'll admit that I don't believe in unilaterally disarming... brooklynite Apr 2014 #84

I notice there is a patterns with Supreme Court decisions... TRoN33 Apr 2014 #48

we have Fascists on the Supreme Court! VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #52

Three Cheers for the Plutocrats! Jeff In Milwaukee Apr 2014 #53

It's official, we have a plutocracy spinbaby Apr 2014 #54

"What the Supreme Court Got Right" by Glenn Greenwald--- msanthrope Apr 2014 #55

I have no admiration for war monger Glenn Greenwald. Dawson Leery Apr 2014 #109

Government for Sale. NT Adrahil Apr 2014 #57

I think you can take down the For Sale sign--it's sold. lastlib Apr 2014 #76

somebody needs to ask if they believe in one person one vote or one billionaire one vote yurbud Apr 2014 #58

Thanks for the links, everyone. I got interrupted. Hissyspit Apr 2014 #59

Another gift from bush v Gore .... Botany Apr 2014 #60

Welcome to America.... Oakenshield Apr 2014 #62

but but but DonCoquixote Apr 2014 #65

Impeach the Corporate Owned Supreme Court aintitfunny Apr 2014 #67

A sobering wake up call to the Sanders/Warren crowd....... Trust Buster Apr 2014 #70

Love your phraseology...skew farther to the left. CANDO Apr 2014 #75

I never mentioned the middle class and poverty..... Trust Buster Apr 2014 #81

Based on the issues and polling, Sanders and Warren are as centrist as they come. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #106

I didn't say you did. CANDO Apr 2014 #140

Yeah, it goes with "no time to put on your 'purist' swagger" ... Nihil Apr 2014 #137

We're doomed. SoapBox Apr 2014 #71

This is an open admission by the court that our democracy is up for sale jimlup Apr 2014 #72

disgraceful……n/t dhill926 Apr 2014 #73

Call this what it really is-Fascism ... aggiesal Apr 2014 #74

Queue GOP removing donation limits. Evasporque Apr 2014 #78

What else are corporations supposed to do with all that cash? raouldukelives Apr 2014 #82

I thought april fools day was yesterday. nt littlewolf Apr 2014 #83

How is this different than that horror Citizens United? Whisp Apr 2014 #85

C U applied to corporations, associations, & labor unions. progressoid Apr 2014 #89

sounds like a coup! Whisp Apr 2014 #96

Well, we always have our choco rations and our victory gin to fall back upon, right? Javaman Apr 2014 #91

The chocolate ration has been increased. Brigid Apr 2014 #97

double plus good! nt Javaman Apr 2014 #112

R moneybags now have no excuse to limit donations!! give! give! open bars, resorts & 'clubs' cost$$$ Sunlei Apr 2014 #99

Senate Confirmation. The Stranger Apr 2014 #102

He did indeed. historylovr Apr 2014 #121

Could this be the end of astroturf? They_Live Apr 2014 #105

When I've given to candidates directly it's not tax free or anonymous, like the Slush 501c(3)&Dark4 stuffmatters Apr 2014 #130

Nail ... GeorgeGist Apr 2014 #107

FUUUUUUU~! sakabatou Apr 2014 #108

Are the Justices Able to Read English? You Could Have Fooled Me.... stuartsdesk1 Apr 2014 #110

the ruling today can be boiled down to one simple phrase... Javaman Apr 2014 #114

Boooooooo! Dopers_Greed Apr 2014 #111

I still don't get the point greymattermom Apr 2014 #118

Your Congressman now allowed to wear sponsors' logos on his clothing in the Capitol building. tclambert Apr 2014 #120

Depressing.......... Beacool Apr 2014 #124

I'm predicting Illinois will get a republican governor. mucifer Apr 2014 #125

Corrupt scum. blackspade Apr 2014 #127

America, R.I.P. blkmusclmachine Apr 2014 #129

Time to post George Carlin's rant on "The Owners" IkeRepublican Apr 2014 #131

Too many people on this thread are... icarusxat Apr 2014 #133

Unbelievably corrupt ruling. blackspade Apr 2014 #136

I know I should not have been, but I was kind of shocked by the ruling. pam4water Apr 2014 #138

And now, more killings at Ft. Hood, allegedly a guy back from the wars Ned Fenwick Apr 2014 #139

We have to recognize we are dealing with some real intellectual lightweights, especially Roberts. greatlaurel Apr 2014 #143

It was a republic. Orsino Apr 2014 #144