In his recent column, Alex Schiff claims that President Barack Obama’s attempt at reform has been stopped by “corporate lobbyists” and “right wing ideologues” (Supreme Court v. The People, 02/02/2010). Any political observer knows that it was Mr. Obama’s own party that has stopped any advancement of his agenda. The President’s party, in 2009, enjoyed an overwhelming majority in the House and a supermajority in the Senate. The Democrats could have passed anything, reform or otherwise, that they wanted to.

Second, the Supreme Court decision in question here, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, is characterized as being an example of judicial activism. Judicial activism occurs when a court decides to interpret the law, often the Constitution, with a complete disregard for its original intent in order to advance some political agenda. In this case, the Supreme Court defended the Constitution by ensuring that political speech is not stifled. Unions and corporations are simply a collection of people and as such have the right to political speech.

Finally, I would like to point out that we live in a country where money does play a role in all of life. Rich corporations are able to spend their money on large bonuses, corporate jets and fancy headquarters. Their wealth also allows them to play a larger role in politics. This is the reality of American life.

Braden Burgess
LSA freshman