Jim Rubens: Confronting corruption

The Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision has unleashed a campaign money system dominated by billions in spending controlled by tiny fraction of voters. Central to its ruling, the court conjured from thin air and against massive evidence to the contrary its assertion as “fact” that these concentrated billions have not corrupted American politics:

“Independent expenditures, including those made by corporations, do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption … The fact that speakers may have influence over or access to elected officials does not mean that these officials are corrupt … The appearance of influence or access … will not cause the electorate to lose faith in our democracy.”