Rick Santorum recently stated that if he had Mitt Romney's money he would be much further ahead than he is now. This seems like a cop out since most exit polls have shown voters concerned with the economy are more likely to vote for Mitt Romney. This comes as little surprise because Santorum has made it clear his top priorities are focused around social issues.
Super PACs have been extremely influential ever since the Supreme Court declared that money is speech under Citizens United. This is because back in 1886 the Supreme Court declared corporations were people, when in fact they are not. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
Now, due to these two rulings that have clearly overstepped the bounds of the Supreme Court, Super PACs can funnel money from the richest Americans and the wealthy corporations -- some of which have parent companies overseas -- directly into ad campaigns to ensure their political will is heard, drowning out others' voices. This is clearly in opposition of wishes of the founding fathers.
As Thomas Jefferson said, "I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country."
Money has played a huge role in the GOP primaries. Not in the race between Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney, but in the the different campaign strategies of Mitt Romney and Buddy Roemer.
Ask most Americans who Buddy Roemer is and they likely won't know he is the former GOP candidate that wanted to get rid of Super PACs or that he is only accepting $100 donations from individuals. Although he may not have the best ideas on social issues, he is as qualified as Romney in politics and business when it comes to fixing the economy.
With Super PAC money from the wealthy going toward exporting jobs to gain even greater wealth, the other candidates get all the exposure they need. As long as they support "free" trade over fair trade and the protectionism the founding fathers set up to keep this nation strong, it will not matter to them which of the candidates wins -- as long as fair traders that would rebuild the American economy and the middle class are kept in obscurity.
This is why an amendment is needed to stop this country's decline from a wealth producing democratic Republic to a debtor plutocracy/oligarchy living on debt. Americans cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Every able bodied citizen must stand up against this injustice. The best way to stop Super PACs is for citizens to contact their representatives in Washington and demand they cosign bills that would put an end Citizens United and corporate personhood.
