State and Local Government Essay

State and Local Government Essay

On average, 7 out of 10 American voters are convinced that the super PACs are illegal (Cillizza and Blake 1). Super PACs are independent expenditure-only communities created after the Supreme Court’s Citizens United landmark ruling to allow the rich community to donate large sums of money to their preferred candidate. Undeniably, super PACs are not responsible for the problems plaguing the US democracy. However, they act as trouble amplifiers, prompting the middle-income earners and average Americans to rally against them.

The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the first amendment was backwards and ill-informed. It is unfortunate that Americans cannot introduce legislations to abolish the super PACs. Still, there are several simple steps that all the government levels can review to limit their impact in future elections.

The law allows super PACs to raise an unlimited amount of funds from a particular source. Consequently, ultra-wealthy individuals and large corporations can translate their economic and personal successes into political power. In the 2016 presidential election campaign, up to 95% of all super PAC finances came in donations of 10, 000 US dollars or more from only 1, 200 sources. Ironically, the political elite makes up 0.0004% of the national population.

The American democracy is anchored on one-man-one-vote philosophy. The principal is important because it applies during all the electoral process moments, at the same time, financial resources are critical to the success of a contenders’ campaign especially in getting their message out to their voters and winning the seat. Fundamentally, it is undemocratic for one person to have an advantage in the process than low-income earning majority due to the size of their pockets. The government can correct this by introducing a campaign finance system with limits on the contributions. Irrespective, the super PACs make that impossible.

For decades, American companies have wielded undue influence in the political process. They participate in filling of campaign coffers, hiring lobbyists, and sponsoring official events of republicans and democrats (McIntire and Luo 1). By contributing significantly to the campaigns, they ensure that the elected officials will prioritize their interests during their terms in office. For instance, many corporations can push for assurances of immunity before they can release the money.

Transparency is fundamental to any healthy Western democracy. In fact, the corporate disclosure is a logic that resulted in Citizens United landmark ruling. Arguably, transparency enables the voter to make informed decisions and to weigh the politician’s message or ideology. Nonetheless, the power of Super PACs dilutes this electorate capability, especially when there is a hidden motive behind the obscene contributions. The Supreme Court’s decision allows secret money from foreign donors to interfere with the affairs of a sovereign country. For example, article 501c (4) of the constitution allows the super PACs to receive donations from dubious sources that do not necessarily reveal their associates. They include non-profit corporations, the Chamber of Commerce, and trade associations. Sources such as these can influence the outcomes of their own elections hence rendering the democratic process obsolete.

In summary, the federal government should ban the super PACs because it not only dents the American democratic process but also violates the rights of an average voter. In an era where millions of American citizens are worried about job security and the economic situation, a leadership centered on lies and hidden agendas should be the last thing they need.

References

Cillizza, Chris, and Aaron Blake. "Poll: Voters Want Super PACs to Be Illegal." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2012. Web. 02 Nov. 2013.< http://www. washingtonpost. com/blogs/the-fix/post/poll-voters-want-super-pacs-to-be-illegal/2012/03/12/gIQA6skT8R_blog. html (2012): 1. Print.

McIntire, Mike, and Michael Luo. "Fine Line between ‘Super PACs’ and Campaigns." New York Times (2012): 1. Print.