January 18, 2012
I am deeply concerned about the influence of corporate money on our electoral process.
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.
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's web site.
It is simply ridiculous that their isn't complete transparency regarding information that is put on the television airways, written media and internet. How is anyone supposed to make an informed decision when the information they are being given is being biased by various corporation's and well-funded individual's agendas? Elections should not be bought and the American legal system should not have legislation making it legal to do so.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my comment.
Jeannine WILMES
WA