March 28, 2014
SEC
I am deeply concerned about the influence of corporate money on our electoral process.
In particular, I am appalled that, corporations have been enabled with rights formerly reserved for human beings due to the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
Now publicly traded corporations can spend investors' money in secret on politics as if they were governments dedicated to protecting it's citizens from threatening enemies where investments are justified by oversight and made on secret defenses. This lack of accountability is inviting abuse and the encourages the loss of responsible decision making.
I am writing to urge the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue a rule requiring publicly traded corporations to publicly disclose all their political spending. Corporations in America are slipping away from controlling influences the improve societies where they live and operate.
Both shareholders and the public must be fully informed as to how much the corporation spends on politics and which candidates are being promoted or attacked. Disclosures should be posted promptly on the SEC's web site.
Thank you for considering my comment.
Sincerely,
Richard Carpenter