To the editor:

The old saying is: “You can’t fight city hall.” What are your odds fighting a multibillion dollar corporation? In their absolutely devastating ruling (Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, Jan. 21, 2010), the conservative U.S. Supreme Court gave huge international corporations the unlimited ability to financially back any candidate they want, for as much money as they want.

Let’s look at BP (British Petroleum), as just one of hundreds of examples. When the Republicans were in power they were REALLY good to BP and oil companies. Regulations? The Republicans let the oil companies write them. Inspections? The Republicans slashed the number of inspectors, and turned a blind eye toward oil companies throwing parties for the oil regulatory agencies (complete with prostitutes). Hey, what could happen?

Democrats, rightly, have held BP’s financial feet to the fire for the Gulf disaster (over Republican protest). For BP, would it not make financial sense for them to pour millions of dollars into hundreds of individual congressional races, electing Republicans, who would more likely vote that BP has already paid enough? This could save BP billions of dollars. What’s to stop them?

In races all over the country the reports are flooding in. Republican candidates are spending unprecedented amounts of money on advertising. This ruling by the conservative Supreme Court has the potential to absolutely destroy our democracy and make a mockery of what this country says it stands for. Wake up, America!

Daniel Patrick Schamle,

Lawrence