January 18, 2012
I am deeply concerned about the influence of corporate money on our electoral process. It will definitely end any REAL viable participation in the electoral process in this country. It signals that every politician is up for sale to the highest bidder and will be the end of any REAL DEMOCRACY once" non-living entities" can be deemed a "person and "beat!" financial reporting. Corporations have absolutely no living or breathing existence....to be sure they are filled with humans who are living and breathing...but no stretch of imagination can one 'grant' they are the same as a "person!"
In particular, I am appalled that, because of the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, publicly traded corporations can spend investor's money on political activity in secret. This stupidity will take this country down for the count!
I am writing to urge the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue a rule requiring publicly traded corporations to publicly disclose all their political spending.
Both shareholders and the public must be fully informed as to how much the corporation spends on politics and which candidates are being promoted or attacked. Disclosures should be posted promptly on the SEC web site.
Thank you for considering my comment.
Linda Ray
Gresham, OR