Madison Avenue a winner in Supreme Court ruling

Who benefits from the controversial U.S. Supreme Court in the Citizens United case besides huge corporations looking to impose their will on the American people? Madison Avenue.

A story at Media Daily News calls the ruling “good news for TV stations — but not so much for TV viewers” and warns of an “endless campaign” now that corporate entities are free to exercise “First Amendment rights” without impunity, thanks to the people who forced George W. Bush upon you.

That’s how Borrell Associates describes the new political advertising landscape, and in particular, the 2010 season, which is estimated to hit a record $4.2 billion.

A sizable piece of this big number comes from the recent landmark Supreme Court decision to give corporations the freedom to buy and attach their names to political advertising.

As a result of the high court’s ruling, Borrell lifted its estimates 10% to the current $4.2 billion level. The group says about 75% of these dollars will be going to local TV.

Folks, without a game changer, i.e. campaign finance reform that will lessen the impact of corporate spending and restore the balance of power between corporations and the people, we are in store for a continuation of the political quagmire in Washington, Albany and other seats of power. Corporations and other powerful interested will continue to use their financial clout to impose their will and maintain a status quo that benefits and advances their interests to the detriment of everyday people.

Campaign finance is the issue of our times if we have any hope of remaining a true democracy instead of transforming our government into a subsidiary of corporate cartels in industries like finance, insurance and energy. In the weeks ahead I expect to write more on this topic. You can read the entire Media Daily News report here.