Demon-Crazy: case study of rise of dark money in politics in the name of free speech in USA

How can demonic forces control future of democracy is evident in Citizens United v. FEC, a landmark 2010 Supreme Court case that significantly impacted election campaign finance laws in the United States. So the wealthy can skew the direction a country (in this case the USA) in a direction they want to take by unlimited spending by corporations and unions on elections through independent groups, like Super PACs(political action committee). Court struggles to balance free speech with preventing political corruption, the Court's decisions have consistently leaned toward free speech.

Srila Prabhupada called democracy as government of the shudras, by the shudras, and for the shudras. What is needed is government of Krishna (God's Name) and for Krishna. As Krishna is root of all existence, pleasing Krishna takes care of everyone's needs. As everything in creation belongs to Krishna, so everything must be utilized for His satisfaction.

Here's a breakdown of the case and its implications:

Background:

• Citizens United, a conservative nonprofit, wanted to air a film critical of then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton close to the election.
• The Federal Election Commission (FEC) blocked the film, citing a law prohibiting corporations from making independent expenditures influencing elections.
• Citizens United sued the FEC, arguing the law violated their First Amendment right to free speech.

Decision:

• The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, struck down the law prohibiting corporations and unions from making independent expenditures on elections.
• The majority, led by Justice Anthony Kennedy, argued that corporations have the same free speech rights as individuals and cannot be restricted based on their corporate form.
• The Court upheld disclosure and disclaimer requirements for independent expenditures.

Impact:

• The ruling opened the door for unlimited spending by corporations and unions on elections through independent groups, like Super PACs.
• Critics argue it has led to increased influence of special interests and the drowning out of individual voices in elections.
• Supporters claim it empowers free speech and allows groups to express their views without government interference.
• The decision remains highly controversial, with ongoing debate about its impact on democracy and campaign finance.
• Critics argue it has led to a rise in dark money (donations with undisclosed sources) and increased polarization in politics.
• Supporters believe it protects free speech and empowers citizen groups to advocate for their interests.

Building on past decisions, the Supreme Court of Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr., 17th Chief Justice of the United States, maintains its course on campaign finance. In the landmark 2014 case McCutcheon v. FEC, the Court's conservative majority dismantled key regulations, deeming individual contribution limits to infringe on free speech.

Srila Prabhupada's views and quotes:

When a Vai??ava king like Dhruva Mahārāja is the head of the government of the entire world, the world is so happy that it is not possible to imagine or describe. Even now, if people would all become K???a conscious, the democratic government of the present day would be exactly like the kingdom of heaven. If all people became K???a conscious they would vote for persons of the category of Dhruva Mahārāja. If the post of chief executive were occupied by such a Vai??ava, all the problems of satanic government would be solved. (?rīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.9.66)

In the present age, the king or president forgets that he is the servant of God and thinks of himself as servant of the people. The present democratic government is proclaimed to be a people's government, a government by the people and for the people, but this type of government is not sanctioned by the Vedas. The Vedas maintain that a kingdom should be governed for the purpose of satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead and should therefore be ruled by a representative of the Lord. (?rīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.22.45)

Every state and its administrators, regardless of the nature of the administration—monarchy or democracy, oligarchy or dictatorship or autocracy—have the prime responsibility to lead the citizens toward God realization. This is essential for all human beings, and it is the duty of the father, spiritual master, and ultimately the state to take up the responsibility of leading the citizens towards this end. The whole creation of material existence is made for this purpose, just to give a chance to the fallen souls who rebelled against the will of the Supreme Father. (?rīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.7.22)

Unfortunately, in the present age of Kali, the head of government does not follow the instructions given by the saintly persons; therefore neither the citizens nor the men of government are very happy. Their duration of life is shortened, and almost everyone is wretched and bereft of bodily strength and spiritual power. If citizens want to be happy and prosperous in this democratic age, they should not elect rascals and fools who have no respect for saintly persons. (?rīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.14.14)

Leaders of the government must be very honest and religious because otherwise all the affairs of the state will suffer. Unfortunately, in the name of democracy, rogues and thieves are electing other rogues and thieves to the most important posts in the government. Recently this has been proven in America, where the president had to be condemned and dragged down from his post by the citizens. This is only one case, but there are many others. Because of the importance of the K???a consciousness movement, people should be K???a conscious and should not vote for anyone who is not K???a conscious. (?rīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.2.3)

Conclusion:

We are trying to build prisons while we are in the prison of material world. Rectification of our consciousness to God(Krishna) consciousness is important.

References:

• Oyez website: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/21-12
• The Brennan Center for Justice offers a good explanation of the decision and its implications: https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/reform-money-politics/campaign-finance-courts/citizens-united