Written By The role of money in American elections has been a topic of debate for decades. In recent years, however, the issue has become increasingly prominent, with the rise of so-called “super PACs” and the increasing influence of wealthy donors in political campaigns. Critics argue that the influence of money is undermining the democratic process, while others argue that campaign finance laws limit free speech.
The issue of money in politics has come to the forefront of public debate following the Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United decision in 2010. The ruling struck down restrictions on corporate and union spending in political campaigns, arguing that such limits violated the First Amendment’s free speech protections. The decision paved the way for the creation of super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited sums of money to support or oppose candidates.
Since Citizens United, the amount of money flowing into American elections has skyrocketed. In the 2020 election cycle, outside spending on federal races totaled more than $6 billion, with nearly half of that coming from super PACs. Wealthy donors and corporations have been able to wield enormous influence over elections, pouring money into races to support candidates who align with their interests.
Critics argue that this influx of money is corrupting the democratic process, giving wealthy donors an outsized voice in politics and drowning out the voices of ordinary citizens. They argue that candidates who receive large sums of money from donors are more likely to be beholden to those donors once they are elected, making it more difficult for elected officials to represent the interests of their constituents.
Proponents of free speech protections argue that campaign finance laws limit political speech and unfairly restrict the ability of individuals and organizations to participate in the political process. They argue that wealthy donors and corporations should be allowed to spend as much money as they wish to support candidates and causes they believe in.
The impact of money on elections is a complex and multifaceted issue, with arguments on both sides. However, it is clear that the influence of big money in politics is a growing concern for many Americans. Some have called for stricter campaign finance laws to limit the influence of wealthy donors, while others argue that the solution is to overturn Citizens United and allow for more restrictions on campaign spending.
