Comments on: Justice Thomas Defends Citizens Ruling

By: T. CHRISTOPHER

T. CHRISTOPHER — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:21:28 +0000

I certainly understand your argument WhoDat and congrats on the big win last night btw, but I think you may be overlooking a fundamental matter of choice. A corporation does have an obligation to serve the best interest of its shareholders but admittedly that universe is vast in most cases. That is where the issue of choice comes into play. If the “little guy” feels as though his voice is not being heard among the crowd he can take his money and leave – and so can the rest of the shareholders if the message is so offensive as to lead to such a situation. I fail to see how 10 or 10 million alter the variables in this equation. The issue is the right to associate and the right to free speech. I don’t know any two people similarly situated who can agree on every position in the world of politics but I DO KNOW that when they choose to share their voice 50/50 with another human being in a group, union, corporation, association, cooperative, etic…they do so with the freedom to leave said partnership at any moment of their choosing and according lose nothing by it being a group of ten or ten million.

Congrats again WhoDat. I hope you are just waking up from the celebration and ready to start anew as we speak.

By: WhoDat

WhoDat — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:02:47 +0000

His statement is good in theory - a corporation is a group of beneficial owners. One could argue that this group should be able to speak its mind and act in its own best interest. However, in the real world, a corporation does not represent its owners as effectively as the smaller groups that Justice Thomas referenced. A major cause for this is the inefficient corporate proxy voting system. As many, many, many people have reminded us, it does not facilitate the feedback loop from beneficial owners that is necessary for successful corporate governance. These problems do not exist with groups of 10.

By: T. CHRISTOPHER

T. CHRISTOPHER — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:56:33 +0000

I thought the twelve steps for us was booze? Where did I get this so terribly wrong?

By: Thatsright

Thatsright — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:16:07 +0000

Seton Hall here. It’s bad. It’s really bad. We need to get in at Landmark or FIRE. I don’t know how to get my resume’ through the door over there though.

The phrase I like best is “recovering attorney”.

Screw twelve steps for booze; we need one for us.

By: T. CHRISTOPHER

T. CHRISTOPHER — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:09:45 +0000

Ha. I think that’s putting it lightly my friend. I’m a St John’s grad so I know the climate in those parts all too well. The words “alternative career” never meant more to me than the day I put on the cap and gown.

By: Thatsright

Thatsright — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:29:11 +0000

“I am an attorney”

I knew it.

Dude, you ever feel like a pilgrim in an unholy land in this profession? I do on a daily basis. Here in NJ, it’s me and like 3 other guys. It’s a lonely feeling.

By: T. CHRISTOPHER

T. CHRISTOPHER — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:30:25 +0000

I don’t think the decision went quite that far from my reading of it. It only addressed corporations being able to fund their own efforts – ie. commercials, ads, etc. I doesn’t give them free reign to dump millions into the piggy banks of campaigns as many have been led to believe it does. I am an attorney but I have not completely torn the decision apart to date, but that is my general understanding. Some of the opinions critics – and as you know they are many – griped bc the limits placed on individuals was not overturned or even addressed. That could be extended to corporations as well since they are essentially seen as one person under the law.

By: LD Jackson

LD Jackson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:26:15 +0000

Thanks for sharing this article with us. It is very interesting to hear and to learn how the judges came to make their decision on this case.

Concerning the actual decision, let me ask a question. Does the decision free up corporations to contribute directly to a candidate of their choice or will they be required to operate similar to a 527 group?

By: That's Right

That's Right — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:40:13 +0000

Clarence Thomas is an Honorable Man…

Which ……