Stephen Breyer: Money Calls the Tune
on Saturday, June 24, 2017Stephen Breyer Money Quote saying in his desent to McCutcheon v. Fed. Election Commission that nothing can be heard from voters if corporations and the wealthy speak louder with their political music of money. Stephen Breyer said:
“Where enough money calls the tune, the general public will not be heard. Insofar as corruption cuts the link between political thought and political action, a free marketplace of political ideas loses its point” — Stephen Breyer
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In this quote, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is expressing concern about how large sums of money in politics can drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. By stating that “where enough money calls the tune, the general public will not be heard”, Breyer suggests financial influence allows well-funded special interests to override public opinion.
He implies that when corruption “cuts the link between political thought and political action”, it undermines democratic representation by allowing monetary priorities rather than voters’ preferences to dictate policy outcomes.
The overall interpretation is that Breyer views disproportionate financial clout in the political process as weakening people power and the ability of elected leaders to be responsive to constituents over wealthy donors. His perspective conveys that an excess of money in elections and lawmaking threatens the integrity of the democratic system by replacing public will with the agendas of those able to spend the most to promote their views.