Take a COOL Guess – the Fun Quiz on Clean Energy.  Today’s Topic: Corruption in U.S. Politics

Question:  How long has it been since the catastrophic U.S. Supreme Court decision “Citizens United,” that granted corporations the power to spend as much money as they wish to influence our elections?

Answer: Can be found at Clean Energy Answers.

Relevance:  The will of the American people is constantly frustrated by the fact that the interests of rank-and-file voters, i.e., those who do not make enormous campaign contributions, is routinely ignored.  Whether your personal favorite issues are in clean energy, universal healthcare, an improved justice system, sustainable agriculture, or anything else, you need to come to terms with the fact that, as long as Citizens United remains law of the land, your concerns make no difference whatsoever in the behavior of the elected leaders. 

If this sounds like an exaggeration read the article linked above, and ask yourself how it’s possible that 89% of Americans favor tighter background checks for would-be gun owners, but the subject is consistently ignored in the U.S. Congress.

The years since the decision have been tough ones indeed for those of us who care about American democracy, though they have inspired many millions of us of all political persuasions to raise our voices in anger.  In particular, as good a job as Obama has done in several different arenas, he could have over-ridden the impact of the decision with an Executive Order if he had wanted.  There is still time; let’s hope he makes the right call here before he leaves office.