First, what we want is probably pie in the sky right now, particularly with how obstructionist the Republicans have become. But what I would love to see is at least a partial removal of the concept of ‘corporation as a person’. I’m all ok with people speaking out, even anonymously. But the instant you begin creating a shell game of corporations and hiding the money trail, then you run into all sorts of problems.

Individuals speaking out, anonymously is a cornerstone of free speech. The Citizens United decision wasn’t wrongly decided, based on the current concept of corporations as people. remove that concept, and that aspect of the problem goes away.

Do people with money have more opportunity to have their voice heard? yes. and that’s something that will never change. But what needs to change is the ability to lie and obfuscate. Certain speech is not protected. Yelling fire in a crowded theater, *when there is not a fire* is not protected. Speech that leads directly to injury or death is not protected. (I promise, I’m getting to a point here LOL) even corporations as people should be held to that standard. And I think that the instant a corporation crosses the line into behavior like that, the corporate veil should be pierced and the individuals behind the activities should be held responsible.

At what point do mouth pieces like the Heartland institute cross from being a honest dissenting scientific opinion (if they ever were, which I doubt), into actively causing harm, injury, and death to people because of their speech? It may be a stretch, but it’s a thought.

Can the same concept be applied to political speech? I don’t know, after all America has a history of some spectacularly appalling and nasty campaigns. It doesn’t mean it’s right. But I’m torn, because what I personally don’t approve of doesn’t mean it should be illegal. But what has to change is the idea of corporations giving a shield to lie.

To give a further analogy, you have the right to travel in the US, but you don’t have a constitutional right to use a car to do your traveling, or fly, those are all privileges that are granted. I think that similar thread of logic can be applied to speech and individuals/corporations.

Sorry about the meandering nature of the post. I hope there’s a point somewhere in here.