Citizens' Ballot Initiative Another Casualty of Citizens United Decision

Truthout - We did not always have the citizens' ballot initiative, or referendum, in Massachusetts or elsewhere in America.

Not until the early 20th century did people in the states insist on this tool of democracy as a way to overcome what had become entrenched corporate and moneyed interests of the last Gilded Age. Now, after the Supreme Court has created rights of unlimited corporate campaign spending, we face a new Gilded Age. As the overwhelming effect of corporate money in the local casino and bottle bill initiatives show, even the ballot initiative process is now at risk.  Read more.