There was a lot to absorb in the talk about money in politics, but some of the key points are:
- In the vast majority of cases, the candidate who spends the most money wins.
- A very small percentage of Americans contribute to political campaigns.
- In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that money spent in elections is protected free speech. Congress and states are no longer allowed to set limits on how much corporations, unions, special interest groups, and wealthy individuals can spend to influence an election.
- Who is spending the money has become increasingly opaque.
- An amendment to overturn the Citizens United ruling is supported by 75% of all Americans, including 66% of Republicans and 70% of Independents.
- There have been six times in our history when amendments have overturned a ruling by the Supreme Court, including prohibition and women’s suffrage.
- Twenty states have already called on Congress to pass the 28th amendment; 38 states are needed to ratify.