Departing Dem Congressman: SCOTUS Citizens United Decision Promotes Fascism
- Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:32pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Congressman John Hall, D-N.Y., has some parting wisdom to bestow on America as his time as a U.S. Representative winds down: beware of fascism.
Rep. John Hall, D-N.Y.
“I learned when I was in social studies class in school that corporate ownership or corporate control of government is called Fascism,” Rep. Hall said, referring to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision earlier this year which overturned limits on corporate political donations on First Amendment grounds. “So that’s really the question,” he continued, “is that the destination if this court decision goes unchecked?”
Hall, like man congressional Democrats and President Obama, believes First Amendment rights which protect individuals’ right to donate to political campaigns do not comparatively apply to corporations and other interest groups. But not many opponents of the court’s Citizens United decision have claimed that the ruling amounts to creeping fascism.
It’s the flow of corporate cash, Hall says, which led to Republicans’ resurgence during the midterm congressional elections in November. “The country was bought,” he says. “The extremist, most recent two appointees to the Supreme Court, who claimed in their confirmation hearings before the Senate that they would not be activist judges, made a very activist decision in that it overturned more than a century of precedent. And as a result there were millions of extra dollars thrown into this race,” Hall said, acknowledging his own re-election defeat.
Hall also repeated Democrats’ claims that Republican campaigns accepted help from foreign corporations, a clear violation of U.S. election laws. “We are talking about supposedly wholesome names like Revere America, American Crossroads, Americans for Apple Pie and Motherhood—if somebody hasn’t trademarked that one I probably should. The fact is you can call it anything and the money could be coming from BP or Aramco or any corporation domestic or foreign,” Congressman Hall told the New York Observer.
Hall was elected to Congress in 2006, ousting incumbent Republican Sue Kelly in a district that has come to be seen as one of the nation’s quintessential swing districts. Kelly was first elected in 1994, when Republicans took control of the House. Hall, a former front man for the rock bank Orleans, lost this year to Nan Hayworth, a wealthy ophthalmologist. He rebuffed the idea that Democrats over-reached, noting that his Republican colleagues were frequent lunch guests of the White House, but he and his Democratic counterparts seldom were. And he defended the health care vote which many pundits saw as dooming Democratic chances.
“[Congressman] Hank Johnson of Georgia told our caucus before the [health care] vote that we should be willing to lose our seats over this vote. And I think he was right about that. I don’t think that is the only reason why I lost but if it is I am ok with it.”
Hall declined to comment on his future plans. Rumors have been floating around that he is up for a job in the Obama administration or with soon-to-be Governor Andrew Cuomo, possibly as head of the Department of Environmental Conversation. Hall said that he had been contacted by the Cuomo transition team, but that no offer had been made and that he had not decided what to do next.
According to Hall, the Democratic Party has already approached him about running again in 2012, but he offered no hint at his future plans.
“I am not saying I am done but I am also not saying I am not done. It would depend on the situation,” he said. “It’s too soon to tell at this point.”
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Comments (112)
spendthrift
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:50pmAnother socialist bites the dust. One more down a couple of hundred to go.
Report Post »Nigel2
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:43pmDidn’t they show a phone bank in Qutar where they were soliciting donations for Ohdumbo?
Report Post »kandeman
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:42pmThe soon to be ex-congressman has it back asswards.Fascism is government control of corporations.
Report Post »This may be a distinction without much of a difference as our government controls or is in bed with auto companies, financial institutions, insurance companies, health care providers, defense contractors but the Federal Reserve has got us all by the short hairs.
C. Schwehr
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:40pmAs usual, the fascist progressive has it completely backwards. The control of business by government (while maintaining the illusion of private enterprize) is the true definition of fascism. But of course, if you are a member of the party which is attempting to force fascism on the rest of the country then you might want to confuse the public and blame such things on conservatives instead…..too bad the attempt didn’t work.
Report Post »CommonSensor
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:40pmThe propaganda machine continues….”It’s not my fault, They did it”. These guys are a joke.
Report Post »stinkybisquit
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:39pmWho is warning us about fascism? Is it this John Hall, for whom George Soros throw a fundraiser? http://www.observer.com/2007/hall-and-soros
Report Post »tonguetied5
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:37pmCongressman Hall, we stuck a fork in ya sweetheart, and you’re done!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »GraniteGirl
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:36pmBP?? What a freaking NUT! Has he even checked Obama’s donors?! Maybe the payoff of Al Megrahi‘s release was worth it so it doesn’t count! Good grief! Unbelievable.
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:34pmHall either didn’t listen to his social studies teacher or the teacher was wrong. Fascism did sort of operate on a corporate model but more referred to forced edicts handed down from a strongly nationalist, top heavy state (without benefit of representation). It did not mean corporations controlling the state but rather the other way around.
Report Post »Of course we need to have more control over campaign contributions but, not at the expense of free speech. McCain and Feingold should have immediately launched an effort to rewrite the law once it had been struck down.
benoverplease
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:29pmDID HE READ ANY OF THE BILLS???????? SORE LOSER. They won’t let me play, so I m taking my ball and going home
Report Post »eteme
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:24pmAwww, dang it I got on here thinking this was one of Grayson’s wacko remarks…nevermind ;(
Report Post »stinkybisquit
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:56pmBy the way, did you know ALAN GRAYSON LOST!
Report Post »eteme
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:48pmWasn‘t these comments from a Departing Congressman and wouldn’t that also include Rep. Grayson whom was also present in the lame duck session??
Report Post »viperpsyche
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:23pmGee, I thought the government controlling business (i.e., GM, oil, media) was fascism. Silly me.
Report Post »GoingBeck
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:19pmWhich liberal Senator recently said “Just because you say it doesn’t make it so.”?
Report Post »John Kerry, I believe. Funny him making a statement that applies to himself.
orcainohio
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:18pmThis congressman reminds me of a new hire that didn’t complete his employers list of duties but brags about all the important things he did.
Report Post »dadsrootbeer
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:18pmAnd the overwelming support unions give democrats is called what???
Report Post »tobefreeinmt
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:02pmBribery!
Report Post »Cuthalu
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:10pmI wonder if this man has the same feelings about Obama recieving millions of dollars in foreign money through internet donations when he was running for president?
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:20pmOf course not… That’s different. That is ok for the dumbOcraps to do.
Report Post »Rn mom
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:04pmHall needs to go back to college. Fascism does not fit neatly on one side or another of the political spectrum- although Nazis were fascists, and leftists. Fascism means “strength through unity” and is generally condones violence to get what they want.
Report Post »johnny cretin
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:56pmDictionary.com
Report Post »fascism – a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
Rickfromillinois
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:02pmI didn’t lose in the last election because of the votes that I made. I lost because of nasty and evil businesses targeted me. Sounds like the whining of a sore loser to me.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:10pmi hope he cries like a baby and hopefully next election more just like him will be turned back out to pasture
Report Post »Mr.Nick
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:59pmHAHA, yeah…
What the hell do you call labor unions and lawyers being the leftists biggest contributors??
I call that SOCIALISM…
Report Post »NE12012
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:59pmBa-Bye.
Report Post »DeltaHawk
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:58pmHe shouold know about foriegn and illegal campaign monet, How much did George Soros give him??
Report Post »PatriotDaze
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:15pmSoros is a US Citizen, subject to the same campaign contribution limitations as any other billionaire, such as the Koch brothers, Meg Whitman, Rupert Murdoch, etc.
Report Post »luvtheright
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:34pm@patriotdaze: the difference is that the repubs you name are not working towards destroying the U.S. as “old spooky dude” and his paid goons are!!
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 30, 2010 at 12:02am@patriotdaze Thanks to the McCain-Feingold legislation, he (or anyone else) can funnel unlimited amounts of money into elections by creating hundreds of non-profit organizations. I am sure that corporations could do something similar–creating shell companies through which to funnel their cash.
Report Post ».
This is one of the many reasons I think that corporations–including Unions and Non-Profits–should be barred from process of governing entirely. Leave the governing to the PEOPLE.
guyperram
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:58pmHe should know all about fascism, or marxism for that matter. He and his cronies have been trying to do everything in their power to bring about the United Socialist States of America. They have done a good job of working towards their goal.
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:58pmI think you have it backwards. The problem is when government owns or controls business.
Report Post »MozarkDawg
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:03pmPrecisely right — it would be nice if these people who level charges all the time might learn the definitions, eh?
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:14pmWhat is the word for union owned and controlled government? Disaster!
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:17pmI asked a friend of mine if she could opt out of the union…which she detests…she said the ONLY reason she became a member is because the health ins. was so much cheaper. The unions dangle things like this, and coherse the employees to vote their way, or else they could be out of a job. Like others have said, this guy is a sore loser. I’d like to slap that fake smile off his face.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:52pmActually, it is COLLUSION between government and corporations (and Unions)–neither controls the other, but they are wrestling with one another for control. They are what I would call “fr-enemies” they work together when it is in their best interest, but will stab each other in the back whenever they get the chance.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on December 30, 2010 at 8:11amYou are right on target. This administration is going for a Nationalist Chinese type government. Through regulations the government will control all businesses. (that is why businesses are fleeing the U.S.) Then, what ever corporation or business you work for it will be working for the government because they will have total control.
Report Post »Beandawg
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:57pmRight and the unions spent nothing!
Report Post »what4
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:50pmThats right! All the Unions are worse than any one corperation!
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:47pmUnions ARE Corporations. Notice how the democrats huff and puff about corporate corruption, and yet do nothing to stop it? Notice how Obama simply let the subject drop after his famous State of the Union address? Neither side wants to end the collusion of Corp. and State because they would lose their main source of campaign finance.
Report Post »CYCLONE
Posted on December 30, 2010 at 4:39am.. LMFAO !!!. after living in NYC for 21 years …all I had to see was … (D-NY)…
…. and I just busted a Hillary-nut laughing so hard….DUDE… you have, by thievery , stolen over 1.87 million dollars from me in the last 21 years … FU…. FU…. FU … !!!!!!…
…. AND FU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Take Your Lyin’ , Thievin’ Whore A$$E$… AND GTFO !!!!!!…
…taking 57.8% of what I make in local,state and federal taxes is more tha a Chinese Communist pays in taxes YOU FOOL !!!!…
… You and I should go scuba-diving sometime soon….pppfffttttt…..GET BENT !!!!
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:57pmI think the supreme court did the right thing and it just leveled out an already corrupt playing field. Obama campaign got mucho buckolas from foreign donors and corporations and wall st. So please give me a break.
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:04pmYour right on. The Dems want to eat their cake and have it too. http://guerillatics.com
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:15pmhttp://weaselzippers.us/2010/12/29/defeated-house-democrat-warns-country-descending-into-fascism-because-of-bushs-extremist-supreme-court-justices/
gastorgrab says:
December 29, 2010 at 11:53 am
That ’100 year precedent’ that was reversed in the Citizens United case refers to the Tillman Act of 1907. It was created by a former Klansman, and designed to limit the political reach of (Republican) black business owners in the South.
—————–
Benjamin Tillman – Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Tillman
Benjamin Ryan Tillman (August 11, 1847 – July 3, 1918) was an American politician who served as the 84th Governor of South Carolina, from 1890 to 1894, and as a United States Senator, from 1895 until his death in office. Combative, vitriolic, and openly racist, Tillman’s views were a matter of national controversy.
Tillman was a member of the Democratic Party. Tillman also served on the first Board of Trustees at Clemson University after assisting with its founding.[1]
———————
So perfect and too the point… But, we all knew about this, right?
Report Post »No1YaKnow
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:23pmI find it odd not one of these idiots ever dares to mention where Obama’s money came from. It was clear that a lot of it came from foreign sources. No one dares to investigate that, and when questioned, it has been swept under the carpet. No one seems to want to go any further on the fact that ACORN was clearly doing his campaign work. (they were ON THE PAYROLL) Geez, this guy is a sore loser who only cares about corruption when he thinks it’s being used against HIM.
Report Post »bulletsinthegun
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:24pmjust another sore loser , this is the type of rep we need to be worried about, keep an eye on this idiot,
Report Post »Kaen
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:54pmSooooo…Everything, to include money, that the socialist/marxist liberal Democrats get from Soros and such is ok because we’re heading down the road to socialism…but whoa…don’t let money come from the opposition to socialism and fund opponents to stop the destruction of The United States of America…thats facism…what a moron.
Report Post »StMichelob
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:07pmI think they failed us constitutionally, but I haven‘t read the whole case so i couldn’t say for sure. From what I know, giving corporations the same contributive rights as individuals for a campaign seems an aweful lot like giving them the abitily to lobby without paying lobbyists. it just smells like poo to me, and this last election….the first after this decision was handed down, showed us that perfectly. So many stories of “where did it come from” money going to repubs (in the news…the same amount weht to dems) that it almost tarnished the election. I don’t like that, and i want it to end, on BO)TH sides. No ambiguuity, no question of results. Can we make this happen?
Report Post »GEW
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:13pmwhat about all the credit card donations made over the internet that where questionable as where foreign monies.
Report Post »Dems cant talk…but I hate foreign monies and I believe they flowed in during OB’s run for the gold.
pamela kay
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:53pmCHIEFGEORGE, You are so right. Another example of the progressives accusing the conservatives of exactly what they do themselves.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:21pmWhat a moron. Did he totally miss the Tea-Party movement or was he sleeping that day?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:30pmUntil they stop those CHIEFGEORGE sited AND the UNIONS … then it is just being “fair” … I thought the Dems wanted everything “fair”. … sounds a LITTLE bitter to me …. go away just go away.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:31pm@thepatriotdave …. They still think if they ignore the TEA Party it will go away … not going to happen!
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:39pmI believe that the Citizens United case did indeed “open the floodgates” for special interest money to flow into campaigns–both directly and indirectly.
Report Post ».
Directly because advertising accounts for a large portion of campaign costs, and allowing corporate entities (including UNIONS) the power to spend unlimited sums in this area would give them an undue level of influence over elections. And don’t try to feed me that line of bull that “campaign ads aren’t all that effective…” NEGATIVE attack ads WORK. And YES IT IS in the best interest of a company’s bottom line to control who gets elected; the tax breaks, bailouts, and pork contracts far outweigh any negative goodwill the company may incur.
.
Indirectly because the Supreme Court ruled on the grounds of Corporate Personhood–meaning that they have solidified the notion that Corporations are people, and thus have the same Constitutional Rights as THE PEOPLE. This opens the door for Corporations to seek other rights as well–possibly even the right to bear arms, vote, or run for office. If you think this is ludicrous–so did people 100 years ago when corporations started claiming to be PEOPLE.
.
Corporations (and UNIONS) are NOT people. They are not even assemblies of people–read any business text and it will tell you so. A Corporation is an entity separate and distinct from its owners, executives, and employees. It is an entity endowed with some of the legal characteristics of a person.
.
The Founding Fathers were as leery of corporate power as they were of government, and gave the states power to regulate them. Today we have removed these protections, and allowed industry to collude with our government–Big Business (and Big Labor) is fighting for control of Big Government and together they are trampling the PEOPLE underfoot. It is time we cut them all down to size.
JKN
Posted on December 30, 2010 at 7:25amBarack Obama received plenty of foreign donations and support from the unions… Unions support the Democrats while corporations support the Republicans… Where do We the People fit in?
Report Post »taskmaster78
Posted on December 30, 2010 at 9:10amAnd on top of this, if Mr Hall really cares about free speech and defines it as people not corporations or special interest, the halls of congress should be emptied of the trash of lobbyist (the name defines them for being in the lobbies of congress) who manipulate laws and rules to suite their own interest. This is such a bunch of bs, Now they should not be allowed in the congress, they don’t speak for me or the majority of our populist, yet the have a “1st amendment right” to lobby congress.
Report Post »darkloch
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 12:07amso true, its the pot calling the kettel black…
Report Post »*************************
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 3:16am“Congressman John Hall, D-N.Y.”
Congressman … Democrat … New York. That just about says it all. :P
“Where’s my froggy?” -Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles
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