ARE YOU READY? Introducing Your Topic

The Resolution Resolved: On balance, the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission harms the election process. Huh?

Definitions On balance: Overall; considering all the costs and benefits. The Supreme Court  The highest court in the United States. It consists of nine justices who have the final say on the constitutionality of laws in our country. Electorate: the voting public Constituents: the people a politician represents

Definitions Federal Election Commission (FEC) an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States. It was created in a provision of the 1975 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act.

The First Amendment Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

What is speech? Actual speech Written expression Music Video Body language $$ Money $$

Money and Politics “A fool and his money are soon elected.”  Will Rogers

Money and Politics: Things that cost money in politics: Campaign manager Campaign director Office manager Communications team Building and maintaining a good website Brochures, stickers, t-shirts, hats Office supplies (computers, phones, paper, pens, pencils, white boards, markers, staplers, etc) Food for staff late at night or on the road Transportation costs Advertisement

Money and Politics: A better campaign manager A better campaign director A better office manager More people on your communication team (also, better trained) A better website More and nicer brochures, stickers, t-shirts, etc. More supplies (and nicer) More and faster transportation (means you can talk to more people) MORE AND BETTER ADVERTISING So If You Have More $$$, You Most Likely Have:

Sources of Campaign Dollars Personal Wealth Contributions from supportive political party DONATIONS  If donations come in small amounts, a candidate will need A LOT of them, meaning he or she will need to support policies with broad popular appeal.  If donations come in large amounts, a candidate needs to please fewer people…

2012 Presidential Race How much did it cost?

Allowed Not Allowed Issue ads Non-profit organizations could run ads if they did not directly coordinate with any particular candidate Unions and corporations could not use company money finance ads Contributions to PACs were limited Before Citizens United v Federal Election Commission

Allowed Not Allowed Companies can use money from the general budget to finance ads Unlimited donation to outside organizations to run ads on their behalf SuperPacs Limits on direct campaign donations Still cannot coordinate directly with candidates After Citizens United v FEC

Look at it again: Resolved: On balance, the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission harms the election process. Pro: This change hurt the election process Con: This change has either not hurt, or has helped, the election process. Does it make more sense now?

What Makes A Good Electoral Process? Meaningful Choice Informed Participation Governmental Legitimacy

Meaningful Choice If there is no difference between candidates, the choice is meaningless. There will be some similarities, that’s a good thing.  Want a strong economy  Perceived strength abroad  Freedom! A wider field of candidates is a good thing.

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Primary Elections: And election begins Republican vs. Republican and Democrat vs. Democrat. Primary elections are held state by state to determine the official party candidate.

Questions for research-- Did changes in regulation of money change the primaries? How? Did it make them more diverse in ideas or less? If pro can prove there were fewer legitimate candidates: the election was process harmed. If the con can prove there were more legitimate candidates: the election process was helped.

Informed Participation Voters vote based on the information they have. If they are misinformed, their choice is not a true expression of their will. A blind choice is no choice at all. “The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.”  John F. Kennedy

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Effect on Resolution If the Citizens United decision has decreased the amount of reliable information available to voters: The election process was harmed. If the CU decision has increased the amount of reliable information available to voters: The election process is better. If the amount of reliable information available to voters has stayed the same: pro argument or con? Con!

Governmental Legitimacy Will the elected government be perceived to be legitimate? We are more likely to obey laws, pay taxes, etc., if we think our government has the legitimate right to make these laws and levy these taxes. We vote=we chose=we are obligated to follow gov’t. Perception matters. How has the Citizens United decision affected how people view the election process?

Top Spending by Outside Groups: Restore Our Future, Inc. American Crossroads Republican National Committee Americans for Prosperity National Rifle Association of America Political Victory Fund $88.6m--Against Obama $84.6m—Against Obama $41.1m—Against Obama $33.5m—Against Obama $9.8m—Against Obama Super Pac Spending in the last election:

Top Spending by Outside Groups: Priorities USA Action Restore Our Future, Inc. American Crossroads Ending Spending Action Fund SEIU COPE $64.8m--Against Romney $12.8m—For Romney $6.5m—For Romney $4.7m—For Romney $3.6m—Against Romney Super Pac Spending in the last election: