Citizens United

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The real scandal behind 'IRS-gate'

Crain's ran my op-ed on the recent controversy over IRS investigation of non-profit applicants with "conservative sounding" names. For reasons beyond my comprehension, I can't comment on my own op-ed, so I'm reposting it here, where the comments thread might be more accessible.



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Editorial: Election spending shows change is needed

April 1, 2013
Green Bay Press-Gazette

Every so often you hear a complaint about how the Citizens United decision has changed politics. It certainly feels more divisive since the 2010 Supreme Court decision.

But there’s one tangible result that’s particularly shocking. Campaign spending in the 2010 and 2012 election cycles tripled in Wisconsin compared to the previous two major elections.

Tripled.

A Wisconsin Democracy Campaign report shows that $392 million was spent on state and federal races in 2010 and 2012 compared to $124 million in 2006 and 2008.

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Supreme Court to consider limits on individual political contributions

February 19, 2013
Washinton Post

By Robert Barnes

The Supreme Court reentered the controversial field of campaign finance Tuesday, agreeing to consider a Republican challenge to decades-old limits on the total amount a person can contribute to candidates, political parties and political action committees.

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How the FEC can stop the tidal wave of secret political cash

November 16, 2012
the Washington Post

By Trevor Potter, Published: November 16

Trevor Potter was a Republican FEC commissioner from 1991 to 1995, serving as chairman in 1994. A Washington-based lawyer, he has represented Stephen Colbert and appeared on “The Colbert Report” to discuss election law and Colbert’s super PAC.

Don’t blame Citizens United for the worst excesses of this year’s election.

Instead, look to the failures of the Federal Election Commission.

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After Brutal Election, GOP Congressman Open to Campaign Finance Limits

November 19, 2012
WUIS-FM

After a blistering campaign in which millions of dollars were spent on television ads, some of the targets of the attacks are reconsidering how elections are funded. Brian Mackey spoke to one of Illinois’ incoming Congressmen.

Rodney Davis is the only Republican among the six men and women who will soon be Illinois’ newest Congressmen.

http://wuisnews.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/after-brutal-election-gop-congr... target="_blank">Read More...



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Dark Money in Montana

October 28, 2012
the New York Times (Editorial)

October 28, 2012
Dark Money in Montana
In 2010, a group now called American Tradition Partnership brought a lawsuit against Montana, seeking to throw out the state’s anticorruption law. It argued that the law, which barred corporate spending on candidates’ campaigns, was unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling. In June, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority obliged and handed the group a big victory by blocking the state law.

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New SuperPAC Brings Anonymous Money to Illinois Legislative Races

A new SuperPAC formed in Illinois on Wednesday of this week and on Friday reported having a quarter of a million dollars to shower on two state House races. The PAC is the Republican State Leadership Committee – Independent Committee and all of its money came from the Republican State Leadership Committee, Inc, which lists an address in DC and has similar PACs in other states.

 

 



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How Much Has Citizens United Changed the Political Game?

July 17, 2012
New York Times
By MATT BAI
 
 
A hundred million dollars is nothing,?

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