The Supreme Court's decision in the case of Citizen's United vs. FEC (Federal Election Commission) has had a significant impact on how money factors into our elections.  It is important because it changed the rules on who could contribute money to political campaigns and how much money they can give.  Before this decision politicians were only allowed to receive a limited amount of money from private donors and none from corporations or unions. In the aftermath of this decision huge amount of corporate money flooded in to our campaigns. According to, the Los Angeles Times, in 2010 over $468 million dollars came into the presidential election, with over $288 million spent on ad attacking President Obama. These  Super Pac’s, set up to help solicit donations from unions, groups, organizations, and corporations, were the source of the majority of this money. Super Pac ‘s can’t support a candidate individually and what’s important  about Super Pac’s is that the law requires them to have a “quite loose”, which means that  the  donors don’t have to identify themselves or how much they donated.  This court decision made cooperation’s play the same role as an individual would in our political system. 

Most conservatives believe that this decision was a good thing and that corporations should be able to contribute as much money as they want.  They believe that this is just an exercise in free speech.  They believe that corporations are the same as people.  It should not matter who gives the money.  Supporters feel as though the Super PACs are good for the democracy because they believe that in a free and fair election anybody or anything should be able to bring as much influence as they want. This goes along with their general belief that government should be involved as little as possible in the decisions that people make.

Most liberals believe that this is a dangerous thing.  If corporations can spend as much money as they want on campaigns then they can drown out the voices of the people and buy the elections for their candidates.  People who see decision as dangerous fear that once this large amount of money gets into the system elected official will become so depended on it that they will stop listening to the regular voter.  Opponents also believe that corporations will always fund the “Pro-business” candidates.  Another point that opponents make is that this will make it very easy for the airwaves to be flooded with negative advertising.  Rather than president voters with fact, they will just hit us with 30-second commercials telling us why the candidate they oppose is evil.

In my opinion corporations can spend as much money as they want on campaigns.  However, these big companies should not expect that if the candidate they supported wins that, they are entitled for any favors back.  Now that they got the candidate in office, the politicians should see that the cooperation’s are taxed fairly.  I fall into the category of people that don’t have the money to support a campaign, but in my opinion, my vote should count as well. Just because the rich people have, the money to support a campaign they feel as though they should have control over the office holder.  If that is the case the rich would be in control of whoever is in office and the decisions that they make.  There should be rules and they should be clear “YOU CAN DONATE MONEY BUT DON’T EXPECT ANY FAVORS BACK”. 

Interview With John Lavery

Hi, my name is Shacora Perkins, and I interviewed John Lavery of Melrose MA.  Lavery’s political values were formed somewhat from what he learned from his parents, as well as what he has witnessed over a lifetime. By being interested in the world around him he has come to a clearer understanding of what he believes the role of government should be in our society. Lavery considers himself an Independent. Lavery believes that we need to have a clearer and fairer system of taxation. As the wealthiest nation in the history of the planet, he believes we have the ability to provide our citizens with a minimum level of services, such as health care, education etc.  This would help maintain our nation’s economic advantage. He states we should be able to provide the same services that less prosperous nations furnish their citizens with.

Lavery also shared that he voted for President Obama’s re-election because the issues that he had prioritized during his first term, such as universal health care, were much closer to his priorities than those put forth by Governor Romney. Who he will vote for depends upon the positions of those who decide to run.  He can see himself voting for Vice President Biden (whom he supported when he ran for President in 2008). Seeing as that he is not registered in either party he would not have to switch although, Lavery most often supports Democratic candidates and he is not supportive of the stands many Republicans seem to be adopting lately. HE believe the president was justified in authorizing the operation that led to the death of Osama bin Laden. Because of his actions bin Laden was no different than any soldier on the battlefield. If you are engaged in a military battle you become a legitimate target.

Especially as the parent of three children currently with college loans, He was pleased by the president’s actions. Lavery believe one of the benefits of our prosperity should be that the education necessary to maintain that economic advantage be reasonably available to those who seek it. He States that you have to absorb any information you receive from the media through a filter. And he says we need to be able to separate what is pure fact from the opinions and agenda of the source providing the information.
and if  an individual secure his vote or a public office based upon their pledge to pursue specific policies and they either are not effective in that effort, or worse, Lavery would pursue a completely different agenda, he would certainly attempt to have them voted out of office.

What led me to form a political identity would be based on what I believe should be my rights as a woman.  What influences this is the government trying to pass a bill saying I shouldn’t have the right to have an abortion. I feel is thought it is my body and I should be the only one making decision about it. I haven’t had to experience what this would feel like because this kind of bill has not yet been passed. However, I feel we as people should have a say so when it comes to our bodies and how we use them. What I’m looking for in leadership is fairness from our leader. A leader who understands all parties and has understands why we all fit in different categories which benefit us all in one way or another.

What I learned from this experience is that as much as you think that you and someone else have the same views about life, most often you don’t. What it comes down to is whoever become our leaders can’t please everyone and I’m happy with that, because when it comes down to all this political stuff I feel like who I am doesn’t matter. I can’t speak for everyone but the reason I voted is to have a voice. What drives the voter are concerns about cutbacks, increases and bills passing. As a Democrat my views are challenged not by these experiences, but by everything that’s been going on around me sense 9/11.


7. Do you agree or disagree with the president killing Bin Laden?

 

8. Are you happy with the decision the president made to lower student loans?

9. Do you believe everything you hear and see on the news?

10. Will you change party if they weren’t doing what they said they were going to do while in office?
                                                                                                                               shacoraerkins@blogspot.com

Hi, my name is Shacora Perkins.  I was born and raised in Boston MA.  I am 30 years old and currently living in Dorchester MA.  I am a full time student at Bunker Hill Community College.  I am studying Human Services as my major.  I am 9 months pregnant now and I have a 6-year-old son name Duane Williams Jr.  I chose to study Human Services because I feel the need to help people no matter what their situation.  In addition, if I cannot I would try to point them in the direction in order to get the help they need.

My interests are to learn about as many things as I can because it is a big world out there and there are lots of things to learn about.  I love shopping for shoes and clothes.  I really like bright colors I feel like bright colors bring your skin color out more.  I like going to the movies, hiking, walking and going out to dinner as well as cooking.  I’m really just an outgoing person who likes to explore different things. If it is positive and will do no harm to my body, I will try it.

I have a 7-year goal to graduate college with a Master’s degree in Human Services and to get a job in a homeless shelter.  The reason for this is because I have been homeless before and just to have one-person help you means a lot.  The plan is to give back and help those people who lost their way in the world. 

By Shacora Perkins