Support the DISCLOSE Act

Support the DISCLOSE Act

To the editor:
    Recently, legislation dubbed the DISCLOSE Act passed through the Senate for the second time, and for a second time Sens. Collins and Snowe voted against it. This legislation has the potential to finally shed light on previously undisclosed funding of campaign advertising and special interest spending. 

    Other recent Supreme Court decisions (including the Citizens United decision) have opened the door for corporations to become involved in elections and more. It’s also been deemed appropriate for individuals to give as much as they want to groups that advertise for or against a candidate.
    Right now it is easy for individuals with enough funds to create organizational fronts and funnel millions of dollars into campaign ads while keeping the public completely in the dark. Dozens of fake organizations are funding attack ads on candidates. The real backers of these ads are private citizens.
    This begs the question, does this one individual’s right to speech supersede our right to know who is advocating for a position, and how they acquired the resources to do so? Should they have the power to influence elections in a way that no average citizen could?
    Change these secretive policies by supporting the DISCLOSE Act and demanding that Sens. Collins and Snowe support it too.