Begich warns legislators
of corporate boogie man

A recent decision by the Supreme Court allowing corporations to spend money on national campaigns has Democrats all in a dither for fear the same corporations they have been lambasting for last few decades may have words - or dollars - to throw into the political mix.

Democratic Sen. Mark Begich is among those now anxious.  He’s urging state lawmakers to act “quickly” to institute new campaign finance laws to control corporations that might get into the election fray.

Begich warned Alaska’s Legislature about the consequences of letting corporations have a say in elections.

"Allowing corporate special interests to exercise too much influence over American political campaigns is a shameful step backwards," Begich said. "This change in campaign finance law could give the appearance politicians are subject to the whims of the highest bidder."

Odd. We wonder if he has forgotten that politicians already are influenced greatly by corporations. Organizations such the National Rifle Association, Planned Parenthood, moveon.org, Defenders of Wildlife and PETA all have a say in elections. Large corporations would just be another special interest.

In fact, corporations were in the business of influencing elections even after the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law was passed in 2002. These corporations include: McClatchy, the Gannet Co., The New York Times Co., the Washington Post Co., the Chicago and a few thousand other newspapers and periodicals.

These companies have been unfettered in their ability to influence politics since the first shot was fired at Concord. In elections, why should they be treated as special entities. The recent Supreme Court ruling simply puts all corporations on the same footing.

State lawmakers should only concern themselves with disclosure requirements and not let the Begichs of the world stampede them into a political frenzy.

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