The Progressive Fallacy on Free Speech | Will Wilkinson | Cato Institute: Commentary

The Progressive Fallacy on Free Speech | Will Wilkinson | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Corporations are not essentially villainous agglomerations of money and power. They are a convenient form of social organization that enables large numbers of people to undertake cooperative endeavors. Non-profit corporations, like Citizens United or the ACLU, provide individuals the opportunity to amplify their lone voices in harmony with like-minded others. Meanwhile, for-profit corporations are little more than lenders' co-ops — a way for people to pool their resources to finance what look to be profitable lines of business. It is true that managers of corporations can — and do — take advantage of their owners and creditors. But there is a staggering number and diversity of for-profit corporations, and most of them, most of the time, do right by their stakeholders. Moreover, very few ever get involved in electoral politics in a significant way."

"A single lobbyist with a good friend in the right place can deliver more to a special interest than many millions spent on campaign advertising. In 2009, $3.47 billion was spent on federal lobbying — a large sum, certainly, but not when you consider that the stimulus bill alone dispensed nearly $800 billion in public funds."

"A government that can make or break great fortunes invites a bruising and wasteful competition for its favor."