Commentary: John Nichols on Citizens United

Commentary: John Nichols on Citizens United

Commentary: John Nichols on Citizens United

The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision is already having an effect on our democracy, and according to Nichols, "We may have our first fully corporate-defined election this year, in 2010."

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

When the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision came down, ruling that corporate expenditures for independent political broadcasts could not be limited under the First Amendment, many thought it would take years to sort out the long-term effects of the case. But as The Nation‘s John Nichols argues, the decision is have an influence even now, and is even affecting tomorrow’s elections. According to Nichols, "We may have our first fully corporate-defined election this year, in 2010."

The Nation on GRIT TV is a weekly video collaboration between The Nation and GRIT TV with Laura Flanders. Watch for Monday briefings, Wednesday commentaries, weekend conversations and more at TheNation.com. For full half-hour episodes of The Nation on GRIT TV, or local television air times visit www.grittv.org.

Time is running out to have your gift matched 

In this time of unrelenting, often unprecedented cruelty and lawlessness, I’m grateful for Nation readers like you. 

So many of you have taken to the streets, organized in your neighborhood and with your union, and showed up at the ballot box to vote for progressive candidates. You’re proving that it is possible—to paraphrase the legendary Patti Smith—to redeem the work of the fools running our government.

And as we head into 2026, I promise that The Nation will fight like never before for justice, humanity, and dignity in these United States. 

At a time when most news organizations are either cutting budgets or cozying up to Trump by bringing in right-wing propagandists, The Nation’s writers, editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, and illustrators confront head-on the administration’s deadly abuses of power, blatant corruption, and deconstruction of both government and civil society. 

We couldn’t do this crucial work without you.

Through the end of the year, a generous donor is matching all donations to The Nation’s independent journalism up to $75,000. But the end of the year is now only days away. 

Time is running out to have your gift doubled. Don’t wait—donate now to ensure that our newsroom has the full $150,000 to start the new year. 

Another world really is possible. Together, we can and will win it!

Love and Solidarity,

John Nichols 

Executive Editor, The Nation

Ad Policy
x