With A Stroke Of His Pen Obama Strikes Back At Citizens United

[L0oniX]

http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-citizens-united

<snip>On Wednesday it was reported that President Obama was drafting an executive order that would require companies pursuing federal contracts to disclose political contributions that have been secret under the Citizen’s United ruling. A senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, Hans A. von Spakovsky, lambasted the proposed executive order saying that, “The draft order tries to interfere with the First Amendment rights of contractors.” Mr. von Spakovsky dutifully made all the right-wing, neo-con arguments including bringing Planned Parenthood and unions into the discussion. The draft order did not exempt any entity from disclosure rules and presents a reasonable requirement on contractors seeking government contracts. Several states have similar “pay to play” laws to prevent businesses from using unlimited donations to buy lucrative state contracts from slimy legislators. Thus far the only legislator who has railed against the proposed order was Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). McConnell called the proposal an “outrageous and anti-Democratic abuse of executive branch authority,” and went on to say, “Just last year, the Senate rejected a cynical effort to muzzle critics of this administration and its allies in Congress.”

More:It's been leaked that President Obama is drafting an executive order to require companies pursuing federal contracts to disclose political contributions that have been secret under Citizen’s United. CONS are spinning that the EO would assault "free speech" -as only Fascists turning government into an appendage to the affairs of billionaires operating in the shadows of a "free & fair" electoral system can spin.


Yea ...well ...I suppose "free speech" can include being forced to reveal the truth ...about who contributed to what ever. Of course they want their cake and eat it too. I have something they can eat ...and it won't be anything like their right to give unlimited amounts of money to the campaigns of those who would do their dirty deeds.

BTW ...I won't hold my breath over this action by Obama since until it happens it might only be more meaningless lip service.

[villager]

1. so with a *potential* stroke of his pen, Obama *could* strike back..

...at Citizens United... but it hasn't happened yet...

[PurityOfEssence]

14. Yes, precisely: the inside straight President is soon to definitely strike again

More rewards for hypotheticals! He's a hero, and personally saved tens, nay HUNDREDS of thousands of innocent Libyans from certain torturous execution. He's going to lead us to the promised land yet, as soon as he finishes deceiving the reactionaries by constant accommodation.

That's right: he's gonna show 'em, just you wait.

[MilesColtrane]

2. Sooo...

Now we'll know some, not all, of the corporations who have bought their very own government representatives.

While this does nothing to actually stop the practice, I suppose it will have to do until Scalia, Thomas, or Alito retire or die.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. The reason von Spakovsky" dutifully made all the right-wing, neo-con arguments"

is because he is a long time Bush Bot...do you remember him???


"He was nominated to the FEC by President George W. Bush on December 15, 2005 and was appointed by recess appointment on January 4, 2006. When his recess appointment expired, he was renominated, but for two and a half years, Senate Democrats refused to approve his nomination. On May 15, 2008, he withdrew his nomination."

Wiki:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_A._von_Spakovsky

And Source Watch reminds us of his prior role in the Fla. 2002 stolen election:

Before that he was instrumental in all the "voting fraud" issues which were really voter purging issues, he was
a Republican appointee to the Fulton County Registration and Election Board, which runs elections in Atlanta. He belonged to the Federalist Society, a prominent organization of conservative lawyers, and had also joined the board of advisers of a lesser-known group called the Voting Integrity Project.

"During the thirty-six-day recount in Florida, von Spakovsky worked there as a volunteer for the Bush campaign. After the Inauguration, he was hired as an attorney in the Voting Section and was soon promoted to be counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, in what is known as the 'front office' of the Civil Rights Division. In that position, von Spakovsky, who is forty-five years old, has become an important voice in the Voting Section.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Hans_von_Spakovsky

Now he is a right wing think tank propagandist.

[Generic Other]

5. I Love how DUers turn on the flashlight and the cockroaches scurry!

Nice job spotting the vermin there!!

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. I remembered that slimeball from wayyyy back.

I remembered how many German sounding folks Shrub had in his admin, and how many Rove look alikes were infesting the
Just Us Dept.
Then found out so many of them had been indoctrinated at Regent University....yikes!!!!

It always made me think of:
" Play the Queen of Diamonds, Raymond".

[L0oniX]

8. ...and all this time I thought it was just all the repuke inbreeding.

[Kurovski]

4. "... I have something they can eat..."

:thumbsup:

I believe Dems will get something done on this, if only because CU ruling mostly threatens the jobs and power of Dems.

[Viking12]

6. They should add 'any company receiving tax credits' to that order

[Gregorian]

9. I'd like to hear how it "interfers with First Amendment rights".

That sounds like a bunch of whining loser talk to me. Comedy trombone to the rescue. Wah, wah, wahaaaah.

[Kurovski]

10. Because Corporations are people and money is speech.

You've heard the expression "money talks"? 'Ya big silly!

And to think "they" classified my man-dangler lovin' ways as crazy once upon a time, yet the powers that be accept that abstract delusion as a reality.

[Gregorian]

11. Haha.

Well that made my afternoon.

I forgot that money was the bottom line. I thought cottage cheese was the most important thing in life.

[Kurovski]

15. For me it was

Chocolate Mint Girl Scout Cookies. I was sold a bill of goods somewhere along the line.

[L0oniX]

13. You should hear my parrot use speech without money.

[Kurovski]

16. Parrots are way smarter than any two Koch brothers.

[socialist_n_TN]

12. As I said in the LBN OP on this...........

As a frequent critic of Obama, I WILL give credit where credit is due IF he goes ahead and signs this. There's a lot he CAN do with signing statements and executive orders. I hope he does so.