May 8, 2013
Dear members of the Securities and Exchange Commission:
The Supreme Court has ruled that corporations may spend their money as they like to effect the political outcomes they desire. There are three important points related to this decision that must be made.
1) Money affects politics. If it didn't, all those lobbyists infesting Washington would have to find honest work
2) Corporations have more money to spend than the vast majority of individuals. Everyone has a voice, but those with the money get heard.
3) When publicly traded companies spend money, it is not their money. It ultimately belongs to the stockholders. The stockholders have a right to know how their money is being spent, and if it is being spent in a manner consistent with their interests.
For these three reasons, I urge you to require political expenditures by corporations be made public. Stockholders have the right to know how much of their money is being spent on which political causes.
Thank you,
Hugh Brown