How Citizens United Changed American Politics for the Worse
In 2010, the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision changed how money influences American elections. By ruling that corporations and unions could spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns, the Court gave the wealthy and big businesses more power in politics. This has caused more division, hurt civil rights, and made elections less fair.
Big Money and Its Control Over Politics
The Citizens United ruling treated money as free speech, allowing corporations to spend as much as they want on elections. This has led to a rise in “super PACs” and “dark money” groups—organizations that can spend unlimited funds on campaigns without revealing where the money comes from. As a result, rich individuals and big businesses have gained outsized influence in government, drowning out the voices of regular voters.
Politicians now rely more on corporate donations, which means they often serve the interests of the wealthy rather than everyday people. Industries like oil, pharmaceuticals, and banking have used their influence to block policies that help the public, such as stronger climate protections, lower drug prices, and fair wages.
How This Hurts Civil Rights
Unlimited corporate money in politics has made it harder for some people to vote and have their voices heard. Since Citizens United, well-funded groups have pushed for voter ID laws, reduced polling places, and other restrictions that make voting harder—especially for people of color and low-income communities.
Corporate-backed groups have also worked to weaken rights in other areas, like reproductive health, labor protections, and equal education opportunities. Even the courts have been affected, as big-money donors now fund judicial elections, influencing decisions that impact civil rights.
More Political Division and Mistrust
The flood of money in politics has also increased political division. Super PACs often fund negative campaign ads, spreading misinformation and fueling anger between political parties. With so much money behind extreme messages, Americans are finding it harder to have open, respectful discussions about important issues.
Many people feel that politicians no longer represent them, leading to frustration with the government. This has fueled distrust in the system and made people more likely to support extreme movements on both the right and left.
Fixing the Problem
To reduce the damage caused by Citizens United, the U.S. needs campaign finance reform. Solutions include overturning the decision through a constitutional amendment, introducing public funding for elections, and requiring full transparency on who is funding political ads. Stronger voting rights protections and an end to gerrymandering would also help make elections fairer.
America’s democracy should be driven by the people, not the biggest wallets. If action isn’t taken, the influence of big money in politics will continue to grow, making it harder for regular citizens to have a real say in government. The fight for fair elections and civil rights depends on limiting corporate control over politics and ensuring that every vote truly counts.