Laws to be made by highest bidder

It seems the Supreme Court is discussed only when "Roe v. Wade" or "activist judges" are in the topic line. History may mark another ruling as a watershed moment that no one noticed.

The Supreme Court overturned a 1990 ruling that barred corporations and unions from spending on ads expressly urging a candidate's election or defeat! Corporations (as individual citizens) now have more power over our political system than any group of human citizens.

Corporations, with their proven ability and willingness to spend as much money as necessary to influence the legislation through lobbying, now have the ability to spend as much as necessary to fund the election of candidates sympathetic to their interests.

It may soon be more honest for our elected officials to dress like NASCAR drivers with corporate patches rather than pinstripes.

Corporations and their directors BY LAW must act in the best interests of their stockholders. Think of what the tobacco industry could have done with this power! Think of cost and carnage if cars without seat-belts, air-bags, gas tanks that don't explode were not required. Think of our ability to breath clean air if we didn't have a Clean Air Act. Think of our landscape if billboards weren't controlled. Think of our national parks and forests if corporations were permitted to drill, mine or harvest without restraint.

Our current financial crisis is arguably, in part, the result of repeal of Glass-Steagall Act. With corporations having the ability to influence the outcome of every election, how long will it be before our government is run by individuals whose allegiances are tied to the success of their corporate masters?

Are we witnesses of the birth of a government of, by, and for corporations and their stockholders?

Peter Sylvester

Vernon Hills