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How the Citizens United Decision Changed U.S. Political Campaigns (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

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  • Published on Jun 7, 2023 veröffentlicht
  • How did the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision change political campaigns in America? In 2012, FRONTLINE and APM’s Marketplace investigated how the controversial ruling was playing out in Montana, an epicenter of the campaign finance debate. (Aired 2012)
    This journalism is made possible by viewers like you. Support your local PBS station here: www.pbs.org/donate​.
    As this documentary, “Big Sky, Big Money,” explored, the Citizens United decision held that political spending is a form of protected speech, and let corporations and unions spend unlimited amounts of money in campaigns. But to avoid corruption, the court said the money can't go directly to candidates; it has to go to independent outside groups.
    What did that mean in reality? As the 2012 election loomed, correspondent Kai Ryssdal traveled to Montana, then a battleground over campaign finance, and uncovered startling new evidence of outside interest groups’ influence on local campaigns. The documentary raised questions about how secret “dark money” was transforming U.S. politics, looked at a boom in ads made by tax-exempt nonprofits known as 501(c)(4)s - which generally weren’t required to disclose their donors publicly - and probed evidence that appeared to show possible coordination with campaigns.
    “Big Sky, Big Money” is a FRONTLINE production with American Public Media’s Marketplace in association with American University’s School of Communications Investigative Reporting Workshop. The writer, producer and director is Rick Young. The correspondent is Kai Ryssdal.
    Explore additional reporting on "Big Sky, Big Money" on our website: www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/do...
    #Documentary #CitizensUnited #CampaignFinance
    Subscribe on Clip-Share: bit.ly/1BycsJW​
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    FRONTLINE is produced at GBH in Boston and is broadcast nationwide on PBS. Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional support for FRONTLINE is provided by the Abrams Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Park Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund, with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, and additional support from Koo and Patricia Yuen.
    CHAPTERS:
    Prologue - 00:00
    After Citizens United, a Boom in Campaign Spending by Outside Groups - 1:20
    A Rare Look Inside a Super PAC - 08:57
    ‘The Father of Citizens United’ on Secrecy in Campaign Spending - 19:43
    Montana Takes on the Supreme Court Over Citizens United - 27:56
    Did a 501(c)(4) Group Break the Law? - 39:41
    Credits - 51:58

Comments • 1 040

  • Memory Foam
    Memory Foam 4 months ago +162

    It’s kind of wild that we are able to see through this documentary in hindsight just how awful this judicial decision has been for America. We have nearly completely lost our representation, which was already severely limited. Corporate corruption rules America today, with absolute authority.

    • Yaad
      Yaad 4 months ago

      yo mama saw this??

    • Yaad
      Yaad 4 months ago

      @FaceTatt Philosophy does yo mama know that???

    • Yaad
      Yaad 4 months ago

      @ZMAN 420 yo mama said that??

  • Adam Marshall
    Adam Marshall 4 months ago +148

    The sad part is, this aired 9 years ago and it's only gotten worse, no one can stop it.

    • Slappy
      Slappy 4 months ago +10

      Nobody wants to stop it, because everybody likes it when it benefits their team.

    • 波得天
      波得天 4 months ago +13

      It will only stop if/when a critical mass American t decide that representation, transparency, and corruption mitigation are more salient and important than the culture war. It to difficult.
      This is hard to imagine happening within the two party state. For both parties, legitimacy has been linked to these culture war issues and thus untethered from good governance.

    • Paul Ohlstein
      Paul Ohlstein 4 months ago +5

      Not 9 years, but 11 years. 2023 minus 2012 = 11

  • Daniel Mikula
    Daniel Mikula 4 months ago +61

    Is it any wonder why the Supreme Court's approval rating is so low ten years on? It's heartbreaking.

  • Tony Wilson
    Tony Wilson 4 months ago +177

    *LET'S NOT FORGET THIS WAS FIRST AIRED IN OCTOBER 2012.*
    That's 10 years ago and look at what has happened in American politics in that time.
    Thom Hartman was recently pointed out that America's 465 Billionaires spent over $900 million on the 2022 midterm election campaigns that over $800 million of that came from about 25 of them.
    Notable among big money doners Barre Seid the Chicago billionaire donated a company to the Federalist Society who then sold that company for $1.6 Billion. If Barre Seid had sold the company first he would have had to pay something of the order of $400 million in state taxes. Instead the Federalist Society got all of it.

    • Alice Estrada
      Alice Estrada 3 months ago +9

      Wow! What else can I say, just disgusting.

    • Deboraha Watson
      Deboraha Watson 3 months ago +4

      Wow what are we being fed…. So wrong!

  • Bennett Lewis
    Bennett Lewis 4 months ago +37

    But this isn’t anonymity for citizens, it’s anonymity for corporations!

    • Samuel Spencer
      Samuel Spencer 4 months ago +1

      There should be no anonymity for anyone except at the ballot box. All money in politics even if it comes from private citizens should be tracked because as FTX has proven people play both sides if they feel there is an advantage to be gained.

  • Lettuce Salad
    Lettuce Salad 4 months ago +242

    If corporations get the right of "free speech" then their corporate boards and executives should also personally be responsible for liability for the corporation's behaviors. Including the death penalty for intentional homicides..

    • T D
      T D 4 months ago +8

      It doesn’t have to be like this.

    • James Hamilton
      James Hamilton 4 months ago +10

      Agree 100%!

  • Laura Powers
    Laura Powers 4 months ago +161

    Not knowing who funds a campaign means not knowing where corruption is happening.

    • Grace Kim
      Grace Kim 4 months ago +8

      Exactly but those who give money have no clue about this simple logic. They don’t even know what they are lied about. They just worship wrong information

    • B Bodziak
      B Bodziak 4 months ago +10

      @Grace Kim There's a huge difference between an individual's donations and a corporation's donations -- even worse is an individual who fronts as a corporation.

    • Chuck Guo Esq
      Chuck Guo Esq 3 months ago +6

      Also not knowing when foreign interference in elections

    • Alink
      Alink 3 months ago +2

      @Chuck Guo Esq This this and more this. Russia and China have had more influence on what laws get passed and who gets elected in America more than the American people for the last 10 years easy.

  • Loretta Padgett
    Loretta Padgett 4 months ago +13

    Bopp was absolutely right that most people do not know who their representatives are. He is wrong that they don't care that they are being exploited by negative ads paid for by outside moneyed interests.

  • jz117
    jz117 4 months ago +61

    The Supreme Court is also responsible for giving corporations "personhood," in its interpretation of the 14th Amendment.

    • Jeff
      Jeff 4 months ago +12

      AND the right to free exercise of religion, as if corporations can sing hymns, genuflect, pray, and opt to convert to a different religion.
      I'm dying for Hobby Lobby to convert to Islam.

    • Paul Robinson
      Paul Robinson Month ago

      Why not? If corporations don't have "personhood" then they legally don't exist, and you could not sue them for damages, you would have to sue each individual stockholder. You can sue a city when its officials do wrong. How do you do that if you don't have a corporate entity to sue?

  • ichaukan
    ichaukan 4 months ago +81

    Citizens United™ is the politically correct way to say "Know your place, peasants."

    • B Bodziak
      B Bodziak 4 months ago

      True enough

    • B Bodziak
      B Bodziak 4 months ago +4

      @frank g Because the Bill of Rights references individuals not corporations when providing free speech. When you reference the NYT, that is a different right. It's Freedom of the Press. Editorials in the NYT is free speech. We also know who is behind what is published in newsprint. With dark money, we do not. I think that is an enormous difference.

    • The bold and the beautiful
      The bold and the beautiful 4 months ago

      @B Bodziak 🙌 exactly!

    • The bold and the beautiful
      The bold and the beautiful 4 months ago +1

      @frank g because its dark money, we don't know where the money IS coming from. That matters a lot!

  • Robert M
    Robert M 4 months ago +26

    I certainly do appreciate the freedom of speech so that we can have outstanding investigative reporting like Frontline !!! We seriously need to take our country back and I'm not referring to ANY political parties either !! Thank You Frontline.

    • B Bodziak
      B Bodziak 4 months ago +4

      Freedom of the Press is one of the most important foundations of US-styled democracy

    • Erin Mac
      Erin Mac 3 months ago +1

      Freedom of the Press is critically important. We need anti-trust enforcement to stop the consolidation of media companies. I just found out, way late-2 years ago, that Fix/Rupert Murdoch acquired Disney! I knew about the Wall Street Journal buy, how did I miss the Disney one?! Mergers/conglomerates that huge shouldn't be allowed. FYI for US audience, Murdoch owns all the channels in Australia. How do you have free press in an environment like that? It's difficult. For example check out Friendly Jordies channel, his experiences being an investigative journalist there. (He's a comedian, as well. But honestly, his journalist work hits harder 😎).

    • Robert M
      Robert M 3 months ago

      @Erin Mac Your DAMN RIGHT that shouldn't be allowed !! Especially when it comes to media organizations we MUST have VERY strict monopoly laws for sure !! Its a " no brainer " if u ask me.

    • Dave Pinkston
      Dave Pinkston 3 months ago

      @Erin Mac Funny, I watch Australian news a bit and I find it refreshing. They don't hold back on anyone. I wish our press was that way.

  • Crocodile Whispers
    Crocodile Whispers 4 months ago +11

    How can anyone say the argument “the people don’t care about the source of money” but also “you’re patronizing the voter? You ignorant voter you SHOULD know this” is this guy psychotic???

  • Denys Vowell
    Denys Vowell 4 months ago +73

    Excellent demonstration of how "hidden money" changes the potential of state voter initiatives and representation in the political process. This is how democracy is subverted to the will of hidden agenda initiatives and how they change state voter's representatives.

    • B Bodziak
      B Bodziak 4 months ago +4

      @frank g You obviously don't understand how dark money influences US politics. Do you think Congress should be making decisions based upon the needs of corporations or upon the needs of the citizens? Should our tax code be based upon the needs of citizens or upon the needs of corporations? It's really as simple as that.

    • The bold and the beautiful
      The bold and the beautiful 4 months ago

      @frank g that's not politics whi are making laws

    • Leftys R2stupid
      Leftys R2stupid 4 months ago +1

      @B Bodziak like George Soros right?

  • ModernValkyrieNOLA
    ModernValkyrieNOLA 3 months ago +22

    Yes, campaign finance laws should not allow outside groups to donate to nonprofits that aren’t required to disclose donors. That green lights large corporations with nearly unlimited funding to basically “buy” their chosen candidate. Usually that choice is made by the benefits that candidate will commit to producing 😊

    • Neel Matches
      Neel Matches 2 months ago

      As long as you include union money, NGO money, and charitable trust money (FordFdntn) union, ngo and government employees working on their "job clock" on behalf of campaigns, then I'm with you. Actually no, I'm not with you. It would be selectively enforced. While we're at it, the SVB debacle where now they are openly looking at KNOWN campaign contributions there - are they examining the giant deposits and whether the reason these were protected is because some large amounts (billions) were stuffed there for campaign? Again, with selective enforcement we will never know.

    • CLANDESTINE
      CLANDESTINE 2 months ago

      Where’s the accountability from the citizens? Simply because someone funds a politician doesn’t force you to vote for him/her in the ballot. Choose on policies & not by who’s on your tv & radio the most.

    • James Burge
      James Burge 2 months ago

      @CLANDESTINE You are correct. However voters need accurate data to make an accurate decision. While we can say these things, the reality remains that when outside groups present policies on behalf of politicians, it skews the data. Which is their intention.

  • Gary Trees
    Gary Trees 4 months ago +19

    This from 10 years , seems so long ago ... Senator Jon Tester is still the most humble hero that ever drove a tractor in Butte's St. Patricks parade

  • A B
    A B 4 months ago +194

    One of the most important disasters of our lifetime

    • Yaad
      Yaad 4 months ago

      yo mama know about it??

    • beavis408
      beavis408 4 months ago

      FREE SPEECH IS NOT A DISASTER

    • ZMAN 420
      ZMAN 420 4 months ago +17

      @beavis408 REALY? HAVING CORPORATIONS BE CONSIDERED A PERSON WITH FREE SPEECH IS HORRIBLE FOR OUR COUNTRY? IT SCREWS 95% OF AMERICANS. WHO COULD LIKE THAT?

    • Randy Foss
      Randy Foss 4 months ago

      @beavis408 IT IS WHEN THEY CENSOR WHO'S TALKING!!!!!! ARE YOU FOR CENSORSHIP TOO?????? THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING!!!!! AT LEAST BEFORE USING ALL CAPS!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHEESH!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

    • Old Man Black Socks
      Old Man Black Socks 4 months ago

      Not that it matters. Democrat or Republican, there's little to actually differentiate between the two when it comes down to it.

  • tragicrhythm
    tragicrhythm 3 months ago +3

    On a national level, they took away one of the ways voters could determine how a Congressional candidate would legislate.

  • ronkirk50
    ronkirk50 4 months ago +44

    With the Citizens United SCOTUS decision, the obscenely rich 1% and corporations have finally found a way to buy and pay for our political system and politicians. It is now up to us to tune out all the media blitz that this flood of money produces during the campaign season and make our own decisions from our own factual research about who we vote for during elections. We need to make this flood of money irrelevant to making our political choices.

    • Tony Wilson
      Tony Wilson 4 months ago +7

      Thom Hartman recently reported that America's 460+ billionaires spent over $900 million on the recent mid-terms. Of that money around 25 of those billionaires spent over $800 million.
      So its not really a matter of 1% its actually less than 0.000008% are the real power brokers.

    • Jane Johnson
      Jane Johnson 4 months ago +4

      We need Citizens United resended. Gone..

  • Price
    Price 3 months ago +4

    Why are we surprised that the Supreme Court shows it’s true colors when it comes down to Rich versus poor

  • Jesse Alexander
    Jesse Alexander 3 months ago +8

    Cant believe this came out in 2012. Explains a lot about today’s society

  • geek mee
    geek mee 3 months ago +5

    “We already know enough.
    It’s not knowledge that we lack
    It’s the courage to understand what we know.”
    - Sven Lindqvist

  • Big Hat Logan
    Big Hat Logan 4 months ago +40

    That Popper guy is a true villain of US history

  • CyberspacedLoner
    CyberspacedLoner 4 months ago +73

    Billionaires/Corporations United, Citizens Divided

    • DaLunaticsHaveTakenOverDaAsylum
      DaLunaticsHaveTakenOverDaAsylum 4 months ago +12

      Exactly! Well put.

    • William Young
      William Young 3 months ago +3

      I love how the Citizens United lawyer accused Kai of being patronizing, when he himself was being the one who was patronizing, saying, "You don't need to know where the money comes from, because they don't care." The option? "No." Because then I can get more money from secret sources. And since money is the only thing that matters in this country... (22:09)

  • Javlon Juraev
    Javlon Juraev 4 months ago +50

    Corruption - is like a castle with three layers of walls. First outer wall prevents the crime from being discovered (the wall of opacity if you will). When justice breaches the opacity wall, it hits the second one that is the wall of denying of a crime - saying what has been done is not illegal. When this wall is also breached somehow - justice hits the third wall, the thickest one: avoiding prosecution. Sometimes it's better to burn the entire structure down.

    • robert obrien
      robert obrien 4 months ago +2

      Absolutely brilliant sir!

    • Manuel Dumont
      Manuel Dumont 3 months ago +3

      & if all else fails, the(OILYgarchy)-Mob, sends in, the(Trojan-horse)-Lobbyists. 🤮

    • Tom Bombadil
      Tom Bombadil 3 months ago

      When the lawmakers make the laws.....

  • Bob Sacamano
    Bob Sacamano 4 months ago +18

    Excellent discussion. More like this please.

  • Bill OGrady
    Bill OGrady 4 months ago +9

    Excellent program! Thank you Mr. Rysdall.

  • James Michael
    James Michael 4 months ago +6

    It should be simple to know speech and money are not the same thing. Those with more money, then have more speech.

  • goldensolitude
    goldensolitude 4 months ago +11

    Thank God for Public Broadcasting that stands up for truth.

  • TJ Popsit
    TJ Popsit 4 months ago +50

    Who is he to say that we don't care?
    They think the public is crazy!
    TOTAL AND COMPLETE DISRESPECT

    • Cindy Pomerleau
      Cindy Pomerleau 4 months ago +14

      I think it's more like he thinks the public is stupid, or too lazy to care.
      He was infuriating.

    • TJ Popsit
      TJ Popsit 4 months ago +3

      @Cindy Pomerleau synonyms for the same thing

    • Samuel Colon
      Samuel Colon 4 months ago +6

      I was the heck!!, We do care where the money come from candidates from any political spectrum.

    • B Bodziak
      B Bodziak 4 months ago +6

      He totally tried to turn the conversation in a ridiculous direction.

  • Andrew Klabunde
    Andrew Klabunde 4 months ago +21

    My thoughts on Campaign Finance is this ….. if you cannot vote for a candidate, you cannot send them money.

    • Sarah Hearn-vonFoerster
      Sarah Hearn-vonFoerster 4 months ago +1

      What? You can give money to anyone 😏!

    • Danni Leigh
      Danni Leigh 3 months ago +1

      A) that removes corporations (they can't vote), B) only citizens for whom the candidates are thier direct representative for said political office can donate (no spending on campaigns outside of your district/state), and C) individuals have spending limits for said campaigns. Not a bad basis, and definitely better than post citizens united has been...
      Although the Supreme Court will probably just find a contrived reason to give corporations the right to vote if this were the case.

    • adjustedfate
      adjustedfate 2 months ago

      Ahh-umm, Charles Koch will be having none of that.

    • Andrew Klabunde
      Andrew Klabunde 2 months ago

      @adjustedfate, nor can I imagine George Soros liking it either.

  • H L
    H L 3 months ago +2

    How can a democracy let this happen? I'm baffled by the fact that Citizens United still stands.

  • ThomasFromTN
    ThomasFromTN 4 months ago +9

    Mr. Bopp - once he encountered pushback against his narrative that ignorance of funding for campaign ads was not a preoccupation of average citizens (false)...went from 0 to 60 in about 3 seconds where becoming aggressively combative (to the tune of insinuating a strong whiff of capacity to expression of grievance via physical means)...also (and I'm still attempting to untangle how Mr. Bopp so adeptly employed equivocation in his comeback), where the implication of "ignorance" (lack of awareness), as pertains to its literal definition, as was credibly discernible from the interviewer's premise...was transformed by Bopp in his overt utility of the term, but as a colloquialism, and with a completely different semantic sense implied ("ignorant" - as in incompetent...perhaps even unintelligent.)
    Mr. Bopp - went from 0 to 60 in about 3 seconds where initially, pretty eloquently, certainly calmly, confidently, relaxed, making his case for the efficacy of undisclosed campaign contributions...at to top speed, bristling with barely contained energetic pose, was declaring that any dissent from subscribing to his point of view simply must mark such holder of the counter-proposition as "some Left Wing nutjob."

    • Sarah Hearn-vonFoerster
      Sarah Hearn-vonFoerster 4 months ago +4

      Caught in the act...it was truly fascinating, watching his expression and hearing his tone turn aggressive

    • Frances J. Jenson
      Frances J. Jenson 3 months ago +1

      WELL SAID! Glad you caught that dig on his opposition, too!

  • eemoogee
    eemoogee 2 months ago +2

    This might be among the most important problems preventing democracy in the US.

  • Alycat Publishing
    Alycat Publishing 4 months ago +6

    Excellent reporting. You have done your job well and the horses have been led to the water.

  • ObstinateHammer711
    ObstinateHammer711 4 months ago +73

    Crazy Nazi guy said we need more information so more money is needed to spread that information but doesn’t want us to have information on where that money is coming from😂😂

  • Randi Bagley-Goodwin
    Randi Bagley-Goodwin 4 months ago +3

    Well if those political causes are too controversial to be in support of them publicly, then those donating in secret don't feel strongly enough about them.

  • Old Man Black Socks
    Old Man Black Socks 4 months ago +28

    What about corporations that may have substantial holdings in China? Like, say, the NBA or Disney.
    Couldn't those corporations give money that were substantially influenced by a foreign power?
    I don't understand why these lawyers or judges could not see this inevitability.

    • Adrian Tween
      Adrian Tween 4 months ago +9

      Couldn’t agree more. Anonymity is exactly what builds vulnerabilities into the election process. The people who have more money can influence elections with no repercussions. So ultimately foreign rich companies and the country’s billionaires can sway elections based on ad airing hours. If you don’t have money, you can’t hope to win any election.

    • Old Man Black Socks
      Old Man Black Socks 4 months ago +1

      @ThomasFromTN I wasn't insinuating that one party does this. Both do it. Democrats use Chinese money. Republicans use Russian.

  • ESINYEN ETABO
    ESINYEN ETABO 4 months ago +30

    The Narrator or Voice of Frontline gives you the audacity and mood to like and love PBS Frontline. Great Work

    • ESINYEN ETABO
      ESINYEN ETABO 4 months ago +1

      @Dave Pinkston when it comes to news reporting, I trust PBS among other credible Left Wing news like Wapo and NYT etc. I can't afford to stay in the Right Wing News Channel like Fox News..a lot of damage has or is being wrecked by RWs.

    • Jeff
      Jeff 4 months ago +1

      Kai is the narrator. He does have a great voice
      Kai hosts Marketplace, which I like even though I don't pay much attention to the stock market, bonds, etc.
      Marketplace is available as a podcast too.

  • Independent Mind
    Independent Mind 3 months ago +1

    The policy maneuvers in the house are a true reflection of who is being influenced the most by specified funding.

  • Emilio Rosa
    Emilio Rosa 4 months ago +17

    Thank you Frontline for amazing information and always getting the truth out there

  • Matt Chambers
    Matt Chambers 4 months ago +5

    Nine years ago. NINE. Unbelievable the court did this.

  • The Falls
    The Falls 4 months ago +39

    Anyone who listens to NPR while driving should immediately recognize the voice of the journalist/narrator of this documentary! He is also the anchor of NPR marketplace!

    • Fister
      Fister 4 months ago +3

      He whitesplain's well! :)

  • Pea Dookie
    Pea Dookie 3 months ago +2

    Holy hell, I can't imagine what it took to get a balanced piece of journalism like this the "OK to air."

  • Kml Art
    Kml Art 4 months ago +29

    I am floored that they have no way to even trace if they are doing anything illegal. influence from extemist views is a real problem now and regular communities are not voting in a way that helps them have power over legislation.

    • iracordem
      iracordem 4 months ago +1

      oregon voted in a law which negates CU

    • Erin Mac
      Erin Mac 3 months ago

      They do, as they demonstrated in the video. It takes a lot of work, though. Then, you have to have better lawyers than the crooks.

  • Danni Leigh
    Danni Leigh 3 months ago +2

    Only voters can donate: A) that removes corporations (they can't vote), B) only citizens for whom the candidates are thier direct representative for said political office can donate (no spending on campaigns outside of your district/state), and C) individuals have spending limits for said campaigns which are tracked. Not a bad basis, and definitely better than post citizens united has been...
    Although the Supreme Court will probably just find a contrived reason to give corporations the right to vote if this were the case.

  • jcristi321
    jcristi321 4 months ago +3

    I am all in for the First Amendment, but in a court of law you have to have “standing” to be involved. No one can file suit on behalf of another. So in this case do these anonymous donors have standing to be involved? Why should people from one state have any say in the conversation or the election going on in another? I don’t think they should.

  • Erin Mac
    Erin Mac 3 months ago +3

    That last last bit reiterating the influence Citizens United has on local elections is chilling. The fact that one man, Jim Bopp from Indiana, can affect elections and election law in Montana and other states is wrong. Having money=free speech essentially disenfranchises those without bunches of it. And, talk about patronizing, "they [the people] don't need to know" who's supporting a candidate or an issue. We're supposed to be an informed electorate, and he says with a straight face that we should just take what the ads tell us at face value. We need people like this man out of "we the people's" processes.
    Please keep airing this, and maybe make a sequel showing where we're at as far as transparency and campaign spending. I know it's much, much worse, but the country needs to know, to understand the scope and seriousness of this issue. 💜

    • Frances J. Jenson
      Frances J. Jenson 3 months ago

      100% correct! Fasten your seatbelt before you get current on where we stand today. It's a lethal car crash where that ends up. :(

  • desertstar
    desertstar 4 months ago +49

    Thanks for stating when this video was originally aired. It greatly helps to put things in perspective.

  • Jacqueline Sternberg
    Jacqueline Sternberg 4 months ago +6

    Thank you, PBS, for airing this important piece again. Money in politics is a HUGE concern of mine, and I am vehemently against Citizen's United, which was the obvious beginning of a corrupted Supreme Court.

  • Terina syliboy
    Terina syliboy 4 months ago +1

    I love front line😘 It's just corruption . Point blank that's what politics is.

  • Terintia Flavius
    Terintia Flavius 4 months ago +1

    The problem with today's world is that people only get upset if the other side does it. We need people who actually hold values and look for shenanigans in both parties. Only looking into the RNC or DNC is partisan and is dragging us down. You don't believe in outside money then call it out on the other side and yours.

  • David Wilkie
    David Wilkie 4 months ago +2

    Political Report Cards required, if ordinary people trusting in Government "know not who is serving", they're not protected at all, just as we see.

  • Pequod Express
    Pequod Express 3 months ago +1

    This kind of corruption is exactly what Michael Cimino's _Heaven's Gate_ (1980) is about, a very underappreciated film.

  • Linda A Phillippi
    Linda A Phillippi 4 months ago +35

    You didn’t even touch on undisclosed foreign money…

    • Old Man Black Socks
      Old Man Black Socks 4 months ago +2

      I'm sure that Disney, NBA, Tesla are all donating heavy with Chicom dollars.

    • B Bodziak
      B Bodziak 4 months ago +5

      @Old Man Black Socks It's the "corporations" that you've never heard of that are doing the damage. The ones who have PO Boxes and are 501(c)-4s.

    • Robert Clark
      Robert Clark 3 months ago +2

      Do you mean money from other countries, or just money from foreign banks, that originates in the US? Because there’s a whole other world of malfeasance in that alone.

  • Robert Newnam
    Robert Newnam 3 months ago +5

    Spotted on a bumper sticker in Durango, Colorado:'I'll believe that corporations are people when Texas executes one'. Corporations united

    • Frances J. Jenson
      Frances J. Jenson 3 months ago

      NICE! I've said for past decade if corps are people show me their SS card and birth certificate. Hello?

  • nana heeygbye
    nana heeygbye 4 months ago +3

    Who told Jim Bopp that citizens don't care who's funding the campaign ads? That couldn't be further from the truth! I care and you should too! It's a means for the wealthy to help their cause by putting candidates they like in office via targeted ads that shape the opinions of the public. I'd argue the way they shape the message is not necessarily truly how the opposed candidate even feels.

  • The Communication Coach
    The Communication Coach 4 months ago +2

    Will Lyman is as close as anyone can get to my levels and professionalism, we're both worth 100 times more than all ex-jock fake-casters could ever be.

  • Daily Life Quotes by Tee
    Daily Life Quotes by Tee 3 months ago +1

    They Don't need to know where the money's coming from??? OF COURSE THEY NEED TO KNOW to prevent corruption!!!!

  • Marie Cronin
    Marie Cronin 3 months ago +2

    I live in Montana. Thanks for covering politics in our state even though we're "small". But we do now have 2 U.S Congressional seats haha!

    • Dinosaur Sr
      Dinosaur Sr 3 months ago +1

      Beautiful state. I’m from 🇨🇦and met really kind folks in Gardiner. Mechanic at the garage there fixed a broken muffler strap in minutes and asked us what we thought it costs to fix it. We said we didn’t know, he said “how’s ten bucks sound ?”. Can’t blame the people in Montana wanting to protect what they have.

  • Mark Bottcher
    Mark Bottcher 2 months ago

    I think there needs to be a candidate fund set up by the state, that gives each candidate enough and equal amount of money to communicate effectively, and use how ever they want, in that endeavor.
    And any outside organizations caught trying to increase it,or its scope be procecuted and the candidate recieving it, be immediately disqualified. And if this information is hidden ,until after the election is complete and the candidate is in office, that candidate be removed from office and be jailed for the length of time ,equal to the time he would have served in that position.
    That , in my opinion, would be a great start to ending the corruption.

  • Publius USA
    Publius USA 4 months ago +3

    Political parties are NGOs. The political party system officially began in 1829. Both political parties have worn out their uninvited role in US politics. Please read George Washington's Farewell Address, specifically paragraphs 19 to 25. Look for the word "baneful." Also, read Hamilton No. 09, Madison No. 10.

  • Jon Loftness
    Jon Loftness 4 months ago +2

    American politics would be much better off if all money were taken out of play. Candidates should engage in 2, 3, 6, etc., televised debates on issues. Why is there a need for anything more than that?

  • Fritz Smith
    Fritz Smith 3 months ago +1

    "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson

    • Fritz Smith
      Fritz Smith 3 months ago

      I'm Ted Kaczynski and I approve of this message.

  • Colin Campo
    Colin Campo 2 months ago

    Good job sir. Great reporting.

  • Jeremy Baumeister
    Jeremy Baumeister 4 months ago +28

    As long as corporations are considered people and money is considered speech, we'll live under the best government other people's money can buy.

    • Yaad
      Yaad 4 months ago

      yo mama saw this??

    • Linda Mullins
      Linda Mullins 4 months ago

      Well kinda but it surly will help the rich who vote then vote with their money that's why we the people can't get better wages and alot that helps the ordinary people because the big money mouth of corporations which is the rich voting more than once will make sure you are out spent. And their ads will be twusted

    • Linda Mullins
      Linda Mullins 4 months ago

      The ads will be twisted with lies whatever fact they want put out there true or false

  • Kerry Marris
    Kerry Marris 3 months ago +1

    So the supreme court has been bought out to, and if you just look at all of the things going on in this world of ours, things are getting dicey, or in some circles biblical, and scary to say the least. I think it's time to get your moral fiber out, and wear it proudly, and tell your family how much they mean to you, and make things right again if need be...

  • Nicholas A.
    Nicholas A. 4 months ago +3

    It started in 1976 with Buckley v. Valeo. Then another in 1978. Whatever else I missed to Citizens United.
    Campaign Finance reform anyone? Yes, we had an act in 1907 called the Tillman Act. Time to put an amendment in there on that issue. But, we have to finish the ERA first.

  • Douglas Buchanan
    Douglas Buchanan 4 months ago +8

    BEING FULLY INFORMED IS ALWAYS BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • TruthForJustice
      TruthForJustice 4 months ago +3

      Knowing who and where the money is coming from. Why hide it?

  • Terraan
    Terraan 4 months ago +3

    Thank you Frontline.

  • Douglas Buchanan
    Douglas Buchanan 4 months ago +2

    DON,T GIVE MONEY TO PEOPLE WHO LIE,FEAR,HATE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • GntSquid
    GntSquid 3 months ago +1

    Citizens United is the root of a majority of the problems in contemporary politics.

  • Andrew Riesenberg
    Andrew Riesenberg 3 months ago

    Two things…. 1. Maybe the people need to be more informed and 2. maybe the people should want to be more informed. The right to vote is an honor and should be treated honorably by researching the real truth about the candidates and how their decisions impact their community, but shame on the candidates and the biased media and the shameful groups operating on anonymity. Supplying manufactured information to trick the voters. Campaigns have become billion if not trillion dollars BUSINESSES emphasis on business and capitalism (which is all fine in the civilian sector) but not as social service as government was supposed to be!!!

  • justinttttt
    justinttttt 4 months ago +5

    so crazy. im delivering mail and put this video to listen to. ive herd this dudes voice on npr for over 10 years and never knew what he looked like. had old grey hair guy in my head. my mind is blown.
    other than that. great video!!!

    • Slappy
      Slappy 4 months ago

      You poped it?

  • 1997wolverine
    1997wolverine 4 months ago +11

    So very, very thankfull. Love you guys.

  • Francis Couderq
    Francis Couderq 4 months ago +8

    Loopholes are everywhere and some artists are good using them in any chosen fields.

  • Mystery Caller
    Mystery Caller 4 months ago +9

    What about foreign money flowing into PACS?

  • Mike Patrone
    Mike Patrone 4 months ago

    The campaign attorney had a major point... most people don't know who their senators or congressmen are. That is where these problems begin. In the fact that most people just don't care enough.

    • Marlene Schulz
      Marlene Schulz 4 months ago

      Is is that people don’t care enough or have they simply given up all hope of integrity in politics?

  • U L
    U L 3 months ago

    True journalism

  • Bendershome4discountorphans

    Us out here in Montana are getting fed up with this shit right here

    • TruthForJustice
      TruthForJustice 4 months ago

      "Citizens United" is unsavory. Hiding money sources is not good.

  • Cooper Gates
    Cooper Gates 3 months ago +1

    In other words, doubling down on the type of corruption and greed that contributed to the worldwide '07-'08 crash (at most 3 years earlier at that time). At least American Bridge has the balls to admit what they need to do to compete.

    • Cooper Gates
      Cooper Gates 3 months ago

      @Frances J. Jenson There's a lot of variance in both parties. Collins and Murkowski are left of a few Democrats and Olivia Troye is great. Sadly, most Dems are overall significantly right of center, and actual leftists are on their own or in niche parties such as the DSA and CPUSA.
      More generally, the far right is ableist, individualistic, and pro-competition and profit. I hope you don't deal with American Libertarians repeatedly shouting at you lol

  • Leigh Martin
    Leigh Martin 4 months ago +2

    oh thank you for your amazing reporting Leigh Martin

  • Manasses Kamau
    Manasses Kamau 3 months ago

    Corruption is well concealed in the US of A.

  • Paul 7111
    Paul 7111 3 months ago

    Why do politicians pay millions to get such a low pay packet in comparison to campaign money. If a politician is linked to outside powers they need removed from office

  • Tom Bombadil
    Tom Bombadil 3 months ago

    Hmmm, why would they ever think that money could corrupt politics?

  • TruthForJustice
    TruthForJustice 4 months ago +5

    I believe we should have access on info as where the secret money is coming from. Why hide it?

  • Bobby Salané
    Bobby Salané 4 months ago +5

    Good reporting Novak 👍👍👍

  • Tim.S.W
    Tim.S.W 4 months ago +2

    22:20 Americans should have a right to know who's bribing their elected officials

  • Douglas Buchanan
    Douglas Buchanan 4 months ago +1

    A FACT and a TRUE OPINION ARE NOT ALWAYS RIGHT OR WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALWAYS FACT CHECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LIVE ONLY TRUTH!!!!!!!!!

  • David
    David 4 months ago +100

    Successful people don't become that way overnight. What most people see at a glance- wealth, a great career, purpose-is the result of hard work and hustle over time. I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life..

    • Ibrahim usma
      Ibrahim usma 4 months ago

      You are right.!.....

    • Ibrahim usma
      Ibrahim usma 4 months ago

      That is why I had to start forex trading 2months ago and l now am making benefits from it.!......

    • mine
      mine 4 months ago

      My first investment with Carol Harper gave me profit of over $80,000 Us dollar....

    • mine
      mine 4 months ago

      And I can even say she is the sincere broker I know....

    • Bitrus
      Bitrus 4 months ago

      Please I have been hearing about this Mrs Carol Harper from a colleague at work, how do I contact her.!.....

  • Mr Nobody
    Mr Nobody 3 months ago +1

    It's only gotten worse.
    Until Citizens United is Dismantled, 'We the People, For the People, By the People', is Meaningless.

  • Ignazio Laudando
    Ignazio Laudando 4 months ago +8

    Look 2012 and it’s only gotten worse

  • uAlrdyKnoWaItIz
    uAlrdyKnoWaItIz 2 months ago

    This is much worse that reported - as foreign money comes in through these channels too
    Usually a US lobbying firm, setup a off-shore entity in the UK through which foreign countries, using shell companies in BVI etc funnel money to that firm - which is then transferred into our political system via PACs without ever having register as a foreign agent

  • Grant Chang
    Grant Chang 4 months ago +2

    It's interesting to see the feedback that activist and affirmative action people have a bout cabinet members and elites in government
    Because I average Joe's are also very political about what's going on in Congress

  • Bill Mack
    Bill Mack 2 months ago

    The last time I knew, it was illegal to take cmpaine $$ from sources of intrest trying to improve their co. And intrestes. Buying seats in office so they can countrol the outcome. The last time I knew, it was illegal to do that. This situation has gotten way out of hand, and needs to be taken back control of. NOW!

  • Robert Clark
    Robert Clark 3 months ago +1

    Old Mr Bopp is telling us not to trust our own eyes. That makes me uneasy coming from either party line. I’m a libertarian, so I don’t have a dog in the two party fight. But when a man says to me with a straight face that I “don’t need to know” where political money comes from, that flies in the face of the very structure of our system. “The fundamental principal behind any free society is transparency”. That is non negotiable. Ever!

  • wyslink
    wyslink 3 months ago

    this is just how to keep your money from becoming depreciated as hell 101

  • Susan Jeff
    Susan Jeff 3 months ago +4

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    • Sheila Tribb
      Sheila Tribb 3 months ago

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    • Jessica Madilyn
      Jessica Madilyn 3 months ago

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    • Stephen Cury
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    • Sheila Tribb
      Sheila Tribb 3 months ago

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  • Mike Patrone
    Mike Patrone 4 months ago

    Kai's facial expressions look like a cross between Chris Hansen and Tucker Carlson lol.

  • Booty juice
    Booty juice 4 months ago

    Yeah, the first thing a guy who’s living on the street is re-document said he finds and then takes pictures of him and the reason they close the center first thing he does

  • Brandon Harvey
    Brandon Harvey 3 months ago

    Why are we still appointing representatives when everybody carries a smart phone now....a smart phone app could pretty much replace our entire government and give power back to the people....the answer to these problems is staring everyone straight in the face