July 31, 2000. The association of wealth with corruption is particularly clear in debates about campaign finance reform. Of course, the view that political contributions exert undue influence on policy is not exactly unfounded. Try telling that to the folks at National Public Radio the next time they beg you for dona-tions to keep their programming on the air.
Money makes speech possible.
The American Prospect now publishes biweekly, thanks to the generous support of wealthy benefactors. In our society, money facilitates the exercise of rights. Children who attend schools in poor districts don't receive equal educations unless schools throughout the state are equitably funded. Poor women don't exercise abortion rights if they can't afford abortions, unless Medicaid provides funding. When the government restricts our ability to spend money, it restricts our ability to speak.