Sanders: US campaign finance 'a national disgrace'

[Jefferson23]

June 30, 2015

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is doubling down on his push to undo a Supreme Court decision on campaign spending, suggesting that the fallout from the Citizens United case is "a national disgrace."

“Elections should be determined by who has the best ideas, not who can hustle the most money from the rich and powerful,” Sanders, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, said in a statement Tuesday. “Unless we end this disastrous campaign finance system, our government will continue to represent the interests of the few at the expense of the many.”

The Supreme Court struck down limits on third-party spending on campaigns and candidates in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission in 2010.

Sanders supports a constitutional amendment to undo the ruling. He's also pledged, if elected, to only nominate judges that would back overturning the decision.

Sanders called it "a national disgrace that billionaires and other extremely wealthy people are able to heavily influence the political process."

"The Koch brothers alone will spend more than the Democratic and Republican parties to influence the outcome of next year’s elections. That's not democracy, that's oligarchy," Sanders added.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/246552-sanders-increased-campaign-spending-a-national-disgrace

[aspirant]

1. These dirty Capitalists are ruining this country

[JDPriestly]

8. And the clean Capitalists need to save it.

I'm waiting to see how many clean Capitalists line up to support Bernie Sanders and his plan to provide free education for the future employees of the Capitalists' and to improve the infrastructure that helps provide transportation and speeds delivery to the markets of the Capitalists.

I'm waiting to see how many clean Capitalists will support efforts to impose environmentally friendly standards on all businesses so that the clean ones don't lose out to the dirty ones.

We shall see. I know there are clean Capitalists out there. They just need to step forward.

It's their environment and their country too. I hope they are listening to Bernie because if they want to save the capitalist system that has been so good to them and to many Americans, they need to wake up.

[99Forever]

2. Yeah but Hillary Promised...

...to pull that ladder up behind her after she's reaped her bounty.

[morningfog]

4. After reaping the bounty and exploiting (or even breaking) the reform laws.

See Correct the Record coordination with Hillary's campaign.

[Snotcicles]

7. I think some have that on Speed Bookmark. nt

[bunnies]

3. Spot on as usual.

Truth!!

[NCTraveler]

5. He is spot on.

So who has been leading the charge in this area for the last five years and what progress has been made? Five years is a long time.

[Jefferson23]

6. Not many people here ask about that, but glad you did. It is actually pretty damn bleak.

This article is well written, from 2014. You can see why Sanders and Clinton have both
said they would only nominate someone as justice if they are emphatically opposed to
CU.



Why It's Delusional to Think a Campaign for a Constitutional Amendment Can End Citizens United
Citizens United has delivered our democracy to billionaires. But there's a danger in pushing reform that won't work.
http://www.alternet.org/activism/why-its-delusional-think-campaign-constitutional-amendment-can-end-citizens-united

[Nay]

9. He's calling them out BY NAME!! I love it. nt

[fbc]

10. I look forward to seeing this message echoed by Hillary if it polls well.

[nikto]

11. Hillary Clinton's statement on Campaign Finance (for comparison)

Hillary:
"The American people need a champion. I want to be that Champion".




Plenty of substance there.

[Jefferson23]

12. To be fair, she did say she would only look for future justices who are against CU.

With that said, I do not support Clinton in the primary race..not at all.

[nikto]

13. "The American people need a Champion"

Hillary intends to be that Champion.

[Jefferson23]

14. Well, like I said, she will not get my vote in the primary race.

It comes down to policies, past performance, trust.

[nikto]

15. But, did you hear ...

"The American people need a champion, and Hillay wants to be that champion".







That's all she's got.

[Jefferson23]

16. I heard her.