The World Can Now Buy US Elections

Photo Via thinkprogress.org

By OBERT MADONDO

It's a given. The United States influences every corner of the globe, often by sponsoring the politics of countries of interest.

But now the world can also influence the domestic politics of the United States. Money is the common denominator. Money is the engine that drives US politics.

The recent 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission has made foreign purchase of US elections easy.

Think Progress suggests:

"Lobbyists For Foreign Corporations Begin Fight To Ensure Foreign Money Can Influence American Elections"

The ruling essentially gives corporations the same rights as individuals in their ability to spend freely on political advertising, even if those advertisements explicitly advocate the election or defeat of a federal candidate.

Take fiery US critic, Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, for example.

In 1990, the Venezuelan government-owned Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. bought CITGO Petroleum Company, once the American Cities Services Company.

Now Mr. Chavez can conceivably spend Venezuelan government funds - through CITGO - to defeat an American political candidate.

All CITGO would nee to do is buy TV ads bashing the targeted politician.