SCOTUS

This is a big week at the Supreme Court -- it's final week for the year and several big decisions to be announced.

Today, two big ones:   Arizona immigration law and Montana's challenge to Citizens United.  Thursday, the health care law.

The Arizona immigration case was a split:   the Justices upheld the basic duty of authorities to stop suspects and ask for their papers, but they struck down other portions of the law that put state law above federal law.

Obama responded by pointing out the need for comprehensive immigration reform and federal laws that replace the impossible patchwork of varying state laws concerning what is a national issue.

The Montana case basically upheld the odious Citizens United by summarily overturning a Montana Supreme Court decision that upheld its century-old laws limiting corporate spending on political campaigns.

I'm all for free speech -- but I equally support some limits.   No false yelling of "Fire" in a crowded theater to create panic and possible deaths by trampling.    Some limits on "hate speech" that evokes violence against representatives of certain groups.

But it's quite obvious now that our democratic process is being seriously distorted by the obscene pouring of billions into political campaign-related SuperPACs.   A wealthy billionaire could literally buy himself a few Congressmen, enough to tip the balance of control and influence the direction of our economic policy, for example.

Because the same law applies to organizations like labor unions, it should be opposed by conservatives as well.    However, they know that this is no threat in practical terms, since no liberal, democratic groups are likely to amass the fortunes that super-rich Republicans are can easily spare.

So, the answer on campaign finance reform is in.   SCOTUS is not going to rethink Citizens United, at least not with the court's current conservative majority, led by the pro-business chief justice.   Only a legislative solution, probably a constitutional amendment, can change it now.

Ralph