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Will special interests abuse campaign contributions?
By Lauren | January 25, 2010
The Supreme Court stunned the nation last week with its decision to allow corporations to exercise free speech rights by running election campaign ads. Suddenly, huge companies and unions with millions to spend will be able to innundate voters with a tidal wave of attack ads targeting candidates who oppose their interests. Less wealthy non-profits and individuals are rightly concerned that their voices will be drowned out altogether.
But maybe things aren’t quite as bleak as they seem.
This situation presents a singular opportunity for businesses, politicians and voters to step up and do a more ethical job of navigating the nation’s political processes. Yes, corporations could take this opening to promote candidates whose integrity is for sale, but they would do so at some risk. After all, a politician who can be bought once can be bought again and again, so there’s no guarantee that money spent to elect such a rogue would reap any lasting benefit. Besides, corruption always becomes public sooner or later, and a company that supported a slimy politician would take a blow to its own image with consumers. Politicians could choose to sell their votes to the highest bidder but, eventually, they’ll still have to answer to the voters in their districts. Corporate money might get them elected, but it won’t necessarily keep them in office. And voters could choose to be lazy and vote for the candidate with the most name recognition … or they could recognize that their votes are being purchased, tune out the slurs, and reject dishonest candidates who are clearly in the pockets of greedy special interests.
Like many people who follow the news, I’m deeply concerned about the ramifications of the Supreme Court’s decision. We’re stuck with it now, though, so it’s up to America’s voters to ensure that this brave new world of corporate campaigning doesn’t produce a bumper crop of mindless marionettes. It’s our government, folks. If we vote for the good guys no matter how much money the special interests spend on their opponents, corporate America may eventually take the hint.
Topics: Business Ethics, Corporate Governance, Social Ethics, business communications, corporate responsibility, ethics |