From: Leahy for Senate
February 1, 2012
Securities and Exchange Commission
Dear Commission,
Right now, Super PACs don't have to disclose their unlimited corporate donations. That means they can keep the public in the dark about who's funding the attack ads that bombard their TV screens daily.
That's why I'm joining with the 14 United States senators who formally asked you to use your regulatory authority to require that corporations disclose their spending in elections.
SEC: Exercise your regulatory authority to require public disclosure of corporate political contributions.
The concept of money equal to free speech is only Republican messaging and cannot stand up to critical analysis. If corporations are using the machinery of Citizens United by infusing enormous sums of cash into political advertising without divulging themselves as the entity behind the message: it can only be said the corporation is seeking to manipulate-NOT PARTICIPATE, in the democratic process. This has nothing to do with "free speech" and everything to do with purchasing access to power. It is absurd on it's face to argue the struggling citizenry has the financial wherewithal for equal voice to maintain pace with corporate spending addicts. Lastly, with regard to current language of 'Citizens United', it is designed to subvert representative government by allowing ads containing false information to bombard public airwaves designed to confuse or obfuscate the actual position of the corporation's opponent. Citizens United is the super highway toward full blown plutocracy. This MUST be STOPPED.
Sincerely,
Dan Murphy