Overturn Citizens United

According to a recent article on CNBC entitled “Corporations find a friend in the Supreme Court,” the U.S. Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts has allowed business to spend freely because of its decision in the Citizens United case, and has ruled against class actions, human rights issues and made arbitration the most likely way to resolve legal issues.

Close to three-quarters of all friend-of-the-court briefs were filed by pro-business and anti-regulation groups during the last three years. The Chamber of Commerce had 32 percent accepted by the court, while all other groups averaged one out of a hundred being accepted.

Now, in another article called “Judge asks enviros for ideas to punish gas company,” the Supreme Court struck down an $18 million penalty, saying it was too excessive, so limiting the lower court judge to fining the company $500 or the equivalent in community service. On the question of community service, it is unclear whether the judge can force the chief executive officers and other higher-ups to do community service, and has asked environmentalists for ideas.

More than 350 cities and 11 states have called on Congress to overturn Citizens United. It’s time we do the same thing.

Lawrence Schuchart

Spokane