"The Campaign Finance End Game"

I have written this piece for the NY Times' "Room for Debate" forum. There are also contributions from Joel Gora and Fred Wertheimer. [UPDATE: Michael Waldman's entry is now posted as well.]

My contribution concludes:

Even if the court restrains itself in Citizens United, the writing is on the wall: if the court's members remain the same, the corporate limits eventually will fall. After that, the court could strike down contribution limits to PACs and the ban on party soft money.

We are moving toward a deregulated federal campaign finance system, where money flows freely and perhaps only disclosure laws remain. It is a world in which those with more money use their considerable funds to elect candidates of their choice and to have disproportionate influence over public policy. The unlevel playing field awaits.

Posted by Rick Hasen at September 8, 2009 03:20 PM