Americans: Supreme Court got it wrong! 80 Percent oppose ruling!

Thank God people realize this is wrong!!!!!!!!!!

“I hope we shall... crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and to bid defiance to the laws of our country.” ~ Thomas Jefferson, letter to George Logan. November 12, 1816

Left and right united in opposition to controversial SCOTUS decision

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that the vast majority of Americans are vehemently opposed to a recent Supreme Court ruling that opens the door for corporations, labor unions, and other organizations to spend money directly from their general funds to influence campaigns. As noted by the Post's Dan Eggen, the poll's findings show "remarkably strong agreement" across the board, with roughly 80% of Americans saying that they're against the Court's 5-4 decision. Even more remarkable may be that opposition by Republicans, Democrats, and Independents were all near the same 80% opposition range. Specifically, 85% of Democrats, 81% of Independents, and 76% of Republicans opposed it. In short, "everyone hates" the ruling.

news.yahoo.com...
As noted by the Post's Dan Eggen, the poll's findings show "remarkably strong agreement" across the board, with roughly 80% of Americans saying that they're against the Court's 5-4 decision. Even more remarkable may be that opposition by Republicans, Democrats, and Independents were all near the same 80% opposition range. Specifically, 85% of Democrats, 81% of Independents, and 76% of Republicans opposed it. In short, "everyone hates" the ruling.

YES. People are realizing what corporations and the power they obtain through money in destroying our democracy and our country. I wouldn't have thought this was true with the some of the posts on ATS...but it seems to be correct. I find it hard to believe that corporations would put out a poll that so strongly shows criticism.

This goes against all parties lines and political ideologies!!

This gives me hope!!!! Now we just need TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!!!!

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. WE HAVE TO HAVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take our country back from Wall Street and Trans-national corporations who don't care ABOUT US!!!!

I know it's just a poll...but it's something to be positive about in an ocean full of despair. With numbers this lopsided it can be tough to see how this could have any "spin" to it.



EDiT TO ADD:

People are stating in this thread...what can we do?

*Snip*


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[edit on 2/19/2010 by semperfortis]

Good catch. S&F

...I just KNEW there was a good reason I have faith in people.

Yeah us.

YES, thank God, I really don't want to see that Doritos commercial during the next Presidential Race. Haha

The only problem I have with this is that it does set a dangerous precident if we have judgement via popular opinion in this country. While I agree that this SCOTUS ruling didn't seem right, it was at least a justifiable ruling based on the COnstitution and existing law. Unlike the Roe vs Wade ruling (for example) which was purely an example of lawmaking from the bench rather than their stated job of law interpretation and was based much more on public opinion than on any tangible legal precident. Likewise, if our Supreme Court ruled based on public opinion, most all of our past civil rights cases would have been decided oppositely because the prevailing public attitudes at that time were strongly in favor of maintaining status quo.

reply to post by David9176


Im glad folks decided to see this for what it was. I am pleasantly surprised.

Originally posted by burdman30ott6
The only problem I have with this is that it does set a dangerous precident if we have judgement via popular opinion in this country. ...most all of our past civil rights cases would have been decided oppositely because the prevailing public attitudes at that time were strongly in favor of maintaining status quo.

And most judgments reflect insider pressure rather than popular opinion. Is that really better?

Not that I don't think your point is valid - it's an important one.

But moving along - the SCOTUS judgment is based on the fact that corporations are legally "persons" - a development that doubtless had the founding fathers turning in their graves. The Constitution and Bill of Rights were written to ensure that individuals had real power in the face of the economic powers held by entities like monarchies and corporations. Big ouch, that one.

whether or not they got it right depends on the constitution and the standing of croporation (whether they have rights, whether they should be seen as citizens, etc.)

it could be very well that they got it wrong, but they could have gotten it right. either way it has NOTHING to do with popular vote or opinion or public sentiment!

reply to post by David9176


Finally some good news in the politics forum!
I'm delighted to hear this.

Let me guess, the 20% that supported the decision were corporations, because they are allowed to vote too now.

The Supreme Court judges are pretty lucky that they don't have to worry about what the People think or we would have their gavels and rip their robes off.

reply to post by Southern Guardian

Im glad folks decided to see this for what it was. I am pleasantly surprised.

I'm just extremely happy in the fact that those who consider themselves conservatives "get it", which contradicts what elected Republicans in Washington were stating as they were jumping for joy on this ruling.

There is some hope SG!!! What makes this even better is that people are realizing this without the corporate media telling them this is not good...as the corporate media stands to get HUGE HUGE paydays from the advertising done by corporations.

Bottom line:

The middle class had better start standing up for itself while we can still consider ourselves middle class. This country didn't become the powerhouse that it became because of corporations and big business...it became strong because it had a STRONG MIDDLE CLASS!!!!

[edit on 17-2-2010 by David9176]

Some good news for a change. Why does the public disagree with this decision? Maybe its because our Judicial Branch is starting to resemble the other two branches; corrupt and inefficient.

*****GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Questioning the Supreme Court and other government branches needs to stay within the range of fair criticism or "run the risk in our society of undermining institutions that we need to preserve our liberties," Justice Clarence Thomas said Thursday.

Thomas also told an audience at the University of Florida law school that some comments he hears about the court "border on being irresponsible." ********

Out of your blow hole comes what? We need a couple of judges to retire.

People seem to forget that the SCOTUS ruling does not say that we could never institute the law that they recently struck down.

The ruling was that congress did not have the power to pass such laws, and as such, the law was unconstitutional.

If 80% of the people want such a law to exist, there is a fairly straight forward path to take to get the law reinstated. A constitutional amendment.

Constitutional amendments by definition can not be found to be unconstitutional, and therefore not subject to being struck down by SCOTUS.

There you go, problem solved.

I do not know why people get into such a tizzy about SCOTUS like they hold ultimate power. They are supposed to be nothing but the arbiters of the law, not law makers themselves.

reply to post by sadwolf

Out of your blow hole comes what? We need a couple of judges to retire.

The problem is none of them are going to retire anytime soon...at least none of the judges that voted in favor of this decision. Washington could try to impeach the judges...but that won't happen.

With public opinion this strong though...it's actually possible to get a new constitutional amendment passed. It's the only way to beat the courts and this ruling.....unfortunately consitutional amendments are extremely difficult to ratify.

This ruling ensured that we will have mostly corporate sponsored candidates in both parties...with only small states having a chance for legitimate candidates as they a candidate can meet/greet with people quite easily. They don't necessarily need the campaign money. Most states do though.

We need middle class Americans in Washington. No more millionares...no more formers CEO's...no more former lobbyists....we need REAL, working class Americans.

We need to come together..and stick together folks!!!

reply to post by David9176


The Supreme Court doesn't run around with their finger in the air
taking polls in order to decide a case.

reply to post by Eurisko2012

The Supreme Court doesn't run around with their finger in the air taking polls in order to decide a case.

And people are rejecting it...just like they are rejecting SARAH PALIN and your beloved Republicans...and most every other Millionare/corporate bought politician who doesn't care for the little guy.

People have had it Eurisko. It doesn't matter how hard you shake your pom poms for the GOP...people are finally seeing WHY government is corrupt. Someone has to be corrupting it...it just doesn't happen....and it goes far beyond "liberals" you despise.

MOST Americans don't want war, most americans don't want exploding deficits, most americans don't give a flying F about the GOP or Democrats....they want their country back.

They want their jobs back.
They want their good wages back.
They want their education system back.
They want foreign influence out of their government.
They want the government to work for the people as it once did.

I simply cannot stand to watch the nonstop BS coming out of the corporate media...the same media you seem to love...who does nothing but whine and cry about the wealthy paying more taxes WHILE EVERYONE ELSE LOSES THEIR ASSES.

Where are the stories of people struggling on television? 1 in 5 men in this country are unemployed.

1 IN 5.

Yet all I hear are cries of Socialism which is nothing but a ruse because the wealthy don't want to be taxed when in reality they are paying FAR LESS in taxes THAN THEY DID UNDER REAGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cut taxes for the middle class...HELL YES. Cut taxes for corporations? NO NO NO.

Profit does not create jobs. DEMAND creates jobs.

American wages are no longer protected because our trade policies suck. Our terrible 2 percent tariff on imports only encourages companies to leave the country...yet they are now allowed to STILL INFLUENCE OUR GOVERNMENT.

The same corporations that said F U to American workers. The same corporations that said F U to American families. The same corporations that are saying F U to the future of this country and our children.

So what do you propose be done about it?

Take away the judicial branch's equal power under the constitution and let the executive legislate away SC rulings when they don't agree? Seriously?

Should other entities like the NRA not be allowed to donate to political campaigns? From what I understand about the case, the SC decided that donating to political campaigns is free speech, and they cannot rule against free speech. I know people want to look at this in an emotional way, but look at it logically. Do you want the SC to have the power to decide whom can have free speech and who cannot?

Even if there were enforced laws against corporations donating to campaigns right now, we all know the corporations would just use that money to lobby our elected representatives anyways. If not through lobbying, some other way. After-all, if we want to get down to brass tacks, these contributions are businesses paying the piper else they be legislated off the face of the earth, or swallowed by the mother corporation all-together.

How about instead of restricting what the SC considers free speech, or letting one branch lord over the other outside the realm of it's constitutional power, let the American people amend the constitution, if they really feel corporations should not be donating to representatives. How about Americans stop voting for politicians that take money from corporations if they fear it so? If 80% cannot hold their representatives accountable, then we have bigger problems.

EDIT: To preserve our freedoms against evil businesses, how about we create a campaign finance CZAR with unlimited powers and no accountability to the people whatsoever? Could we all sleep safer then?

[edit on 17-2-2010 by METACOMET]

reply to post by David9176


So what's the percentage breakdown for "Roe vs Wade"?

reply to post by METACOMET


Yeah, he is missing the big picture.
You can change all the rules, laws and regulations you want to.
The richest 1% will simply adapt.


[edit on 17-2-2010 by Eurisko2012]

reply to post by Eurisko2012

So what's the percentage breakdown for "Roe vs Wade"?

You tell me.

Is this the best argument you have? Another one line post?

You can change all the rules, laws and regulations you want to. The richest 1% will simply adapt.

Ok Eurisko. Why even have laws. Why even have a Constitution. It's all pointless right. I'm glad that most people have more fight and common sense in them than you do.

I won't go any further...you aren't worth the time. You are better served making another Sarh Palin love fest thread with a link and 3 lines of comments.

[edit on 17-2-2010 by David9176]

reply to post by David9176


The Supreme Court made the right choice.
You need to read the entire decision. Don't feel bad.
Obama got it wrong also.