Is coporate speech really equivalent to free speech?

     In 2008 a group called Citizen's United, a non profit, conservative media company, won a supreme court case against the FEC (Federal Election Commission). The supreme court ruled that corporations have the right to free speech and to speak about political campaigns that they support. This ruling opened what most call a floodgate. This gave corporations the ability to form SuperPAC's. A SuperPAC is a "committee" set up to help solicit donations form unions, groups, and corporations. This issue is so important because, as a Democracy, it heavily influences our ways of appointing any type of government official.
     There are many people on both sides of the spectrum for this issue. Those who support the Citizen's United group say that they are good for our Democracy. Many believe that they are increasing the number of voices in campaigns and educating voters. Also, some say that they "ensure a stronger competitive balance in elections".
     Those who oppose the CU group are afraid that corporate money will manipulate the political process and ultimately lead to the purchase of elections. Many feel that all the big corporations will support the "pro business" candidate so they can gain if they win and thus, giving them too much power in the process. Even one of the supreme court justice's said, "A democracy cannot function effectively when it's constituent members believe laws are being bought and sold."

     I personally don't agree with the ruling on this case. I think that the freedom of speech was meant for people and corporations are not people, they are businesses. I think that if we are willing to give them power, why are we even voting, why don't we just let them choose the president. These corporations are taking away so much of our power that it is hard to consider ourselves a Democracy when the elections are pretty much ruled by money. I also feel that if there are going to be SuperPAC's, they shouldn't be run by former political employees.

     This week I thought alot about who I interviewed. I sometimes find it hard to talk politics with people because it is usually a sensitive subject. The first person that popped into my head as a person I admire and whom I knew would be open to talking to me was my boyfriend's sister, Tina. We get along really well and I admire her for her hard work and her knowledge. She is 25 years old and already owns her own house and has a great marketing job. I know some of their family history so I knew that one of her life experiences that shaped her political identity would be moving to this country from Europe when she was 15. What she told me was that when she came here, "Bill Clinton was president and that he was so influential". Something that she was not used to because, in the country she is from they have a president but the citizens don't have the opportunity to vote him in. She values her right to vote and feels that it is a big part "of being an American".
     Tina considers herself a liberal. The issues she cares about most are healthcare and the economy. She told me that she is worried about the future because, "there is alot of corruption among politicians who are greedy and only want more income. I am not always sure that policies are put into place to help those in the middle class."
     I can't pinpoint any particular experiences that have shaped my political identity. Unfortunately I am a very undecided person with everything so that doesnt help. In terms of which side I am on, I would have to say I'm an independent. In reading through the list off differing opinions on the key issues I am on the fence with a lot of them. I remember when I was younger talking to my grandmother about politics because my grandfather would never tell us who he voted for. Nothing has really shaped my outlook other than me making a choice of what I would want on certain issues. I greatly agree with people being ably to make their own choices about some things and I do feel like our country is being far too controlling while still calling it a "free country". In leadership I am looking for someone who comes from a family of "regular" people. Who knows what it's like to go through things in life that are not easy. But I also feel like one person cannot possibly make decisions for everyone in this country while taking into account everyones view.
     From this experience I've learned that everyone has different views and cares about different issues for different reasons. I think that no matter what you consider yourself in terms of political party, you should vote for whoever you agree with more, that's why I never associated with one party. I think that by politicians talking about an issue that a lot of people are talking about peaks peoples interests. My views have been pretty much confirmed by this assignment, everyone has a different standpoint, you might are about one issue for some reason and someone else might are about it for a different reason.



My Questions:

6.) Do you think there are any faults in our government? If so, what are they?

7.) Why are these key issues important to you?

8.) While growing up, did your parents/family shape your politial views?

9.) Do you vote regularly or only during presidential elections?

10.) Do you vote just to input your choice, or do you actively follow the candidates campaigns?    

About Me

   My name is Jessica Reinert. I am almost 24 years old, although sometimes I feel much older. When I think about my life, I think about my family, my friends and all of the opportunities I've had, while a lot of people my age are stuck thinking about the things they don't have. There is much truth in the saying "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". Unfortunately the only way to learn that is through loss.

     At 15 I was a freshman in high school, I had a close knit group of friends and was adjusting well. Until one day, it was the day we got out for christmas vacation, I got home to find a couple of my aunts and uncles at my house. They were there to tell me that my mom had passed away. For a while I didn't believe it. I still went around doing everything I would usually do because I only saw my mom once a month, which made it harder to believe. I had just seen my mom the day before, she was in the hospital with pneumonia, it couldn't be possible, she was fine. But it was. And for a long time I would sit in my room and cry because I didn't want to talk to anyone about it. But now, almost 9 years later, alhtough not a day goes by that I don't think about her and wish she was here, everything I do in my life is to make her proud, including going back to school.

    Since losing my mom, I have realized how important it is to keep the people you love close to you. And me and my dad have become so much closer since. You see, my dad was born with a hole in his heart and he is on oxygen and takes a cocktail of pills every day. Through a tragedy in my life I relized that I couldn't ignore my dads condition by thinking that he is always going to be here, because he's not, no one is. I now see him once a week, and we go to lunch and go shopping and have fun. I am so glad that we have a new relationship and that we can share time with each other, because time is precious.

   That is just a little taste of my life. It hasn't been easy, but no one ever told me it would be. I just try to remember that it always gets better eventually.