Money Trumps Free Speech

One reason free speech in our country has worked as well as it has over more than 200 years is the fact everyone's voice carries the same weight. A poor person's voice has carried the same humph as a wealthy person's. The clout of a voice of a young, inexperienced person with limited knowledge has equaled those of one who is older, more experienced an with greater understanding of facts. Granted, this has created some level of frustration at times, but overall it is  a concept that proved to be timeless and, more to the point, workable. Additionally, it has defined our country and been, in many ways, our most core value.




Over the past four years, however, the United States Supreme Court has made several decisions that are contributing to an erosion of that principle and, on a larger scale, compromising the premise that equality of voice reigns in our nation. In 2010, in what is called the Citizens United Case, the Supreme Court ruled eliminated caps on what corporations can give candidates in political campaigns. Most recently, in 2014, as a follow-up that majority decision, the Supreme Court in the McCutcheon Case eliminated caps on what individuals can give to political campaigns. Together, the two decisions give a significant advantage to those who are wealthy to have greater say or influence over the political process. The Supreme Court has driven a dagger into the concept that all voices in America are equal.


With these decisions, people may still communicate when it comes to campaigns. The difference is there will be some that have greater sway that others. At the same time, some voices will not be listened to at all. The ability of one to donate greater amounts of money than another should not mean they have a louder voice than any one else. Tragically, these blows free speech do just that. Thanks to the Supreme Court, money now trumps free speech in our country. Unless these unfortunate decisions are overturned, they will continue having far-reaching, negative ramifications on the U.S. and its citizen's ability to communicate.