LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | Thinking money is speech

At last Monday’s meeting of the Board of Island County Commissioners, various audience members commented concerning a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at overruling the Supreme Court’s decision (Citizens United v. FEC) that corporations should enjoy the same rights as flesh-and-blood people. This ruling means that corporate money is accorded the status of free speech under the First Amendment.

August 3, 2012 5:24 pm

To the editor:

At last Monday’s meeting of the Board of Island County Commissioners, various audience members commented concerning a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at overruling the Supreme Court’s decision (Citizens United v. FEC) that corporations should enjoy the same rights as flesh-and-blood people. This ruling means that corporate money is accorded the status of free speech under the First Amendment.

Jeff Lauderdale, Republican candidate for Island County commissioner, stood up in support of the Citizens United decision, agreeing that “money is speech.”  What Lauderdale left unsaid: More money means louder speech; more money overwhelms individual campaign contributions; more money spawns more lobbyists; more money buys more politicians.

This is a nonpartisan issue. Average Americans, regardless of their political views, lose when big money corrupts our elections.  Mr. Lauderdale and his political ally Kelly Emerson need to listen to what a growing number of citizens are saying: Corporations are not people, and money is not speech.  Helen Price Johnson and Angie Homola voted to support the amendment, and I congratulate them on doing what is right to maintain our democracy!

Beware self-serving politicians who support this very dangerous ruling by a politicized, activist Supreme Court.

Paulette Becker

Langley