If it weren’t for the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling 2 years ago, it is unlikely Newt Gingrich would be in the position he is in today. In a post on New York magazine’s website, Jonathan Chait outlined how Newt Gingrich’s campaign has been propped up almost single handedly by one wealthy individual. Gingrich is far from the only politician to be beholden to wealthy donors, but his stature and pursuit of the highest office in the land nicely highlights the problem created by Citizens United. Chait summed up the problem with Citizens United very nicely with one quote: “Imagine a sitting President trying to make a fair judgment about a policy decision impacting the businessman who single-handedly financed his entire election.”

Our politicians have always been influenced by those that donate to their campaigns.  Prior to Citizens United, wealthy donors had some influence, but the wide pool from which candidates had to draw to finance their campaigns ensured that no single interest group would hold all of the influence with any one politician. Politicians are still dependent on a wide group of donors to fund the part of their campaigns that they coordinate, but Super PACs can be funded by a handful of individuals, or less. In many cases what is good for one industry is not good for the entire country, but with this system of political funding those industries may triumph.

Our free trade agreements have been propagated for the benefit of a privileged few. These agreements generally do not even benefit whole industries, but rather the owners and the executives profit at the expense of workers It is these privileged few at the top who can strongly influence our elections. It is true that our citizens still have the power of the vote, but Citizens United helps to ensure that the average person does not get to choose who becomes a viable candidate. Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer is running for president and has ideas that many Americans can connect with, but those ideas have been overshadowed by the immense spending by his Super PAC-backed opponents. With candidates like Governor Roemer relegated to the sidelines, America is on the path to more free trade agreements.

Money should not equal speech in this country because money is not a universal right. Allowing unbridled spending ensures that our leaders choose policies that help them get reelected, not the policies that are best for America.

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