What Everyone Gets Wrong

The truth about Citizens United is it didn’t break democracy—the public’s collective failure to think critically and speak courageously did. Few Supreme Court decisions have sparked as much outrage and misunderstanding as Citizens United v. FEC. This 2010 ruling declared that corporations and unions could spend unlimited amounts on independent political advocacy, equating money with speech under the First Amendment. Critics blame Citizens United for everything from political corruption to the outsized influence of billionaires, but the truth about Citizens United is more complicated—and the real problem lies closer to home.

While the ruling undoubtedly amplified existing flaws in our political system, it didn’t rob Americans of their voices. Instead, it revealed a deeper cultural failure: our willingness to let money dominate public discourse and drown out meaningful ideas. Here’s the truth about Citizens United, and why it’s on us to fix what’s broken.

What Citizens United Really Means

In order to understand the truth about Citizens United, we need to clear up the misconceptions surrounding the ruling. At its core, the decision argued that restricting corporations or unions from funding political advocacy is a violation of the First Amendment. Therefore, it frames the issue as one of free speech rather than merely financial influence. In other words, money is speech.

This doesn’t mean that money is superior speech, correct speech, or truthful speech. Rather, it simply means that money can amplify speech. For example, much like a loudspeaker makes a voice louder, money allows individuals or organizations to amplify their messages. Consequently, the Court ruled that the government shouldn’t decide who gets access to that loudspeaker.

Volume vs. Value: The Real Problem

The truth about Citizens United lies not in the ruling itself but in how we, as a society, respond to the dynamics it enables. Citizens United equates money with the ability to amplify speech, but it doesn’t guarantee that louder speech is better, more logical, or more truthful.

1. Money Buys Volume, Not Validity
   Just because someone can fund endless ads or promote their message on every platform doesn’t make their argument better. Yet, many people conflate visibility with value, assuming that if something is everywhere, it must be important.
   
2. True Value Is Independent of Volume
   A single poignant statement can carry more weight than billions spent on noise. The power of speech lies in its ability to resonate with people, not in its decibel level. For example, grassroots movements have often succeeded against wealthier opponents by leveraging authenticity and connection.
   
3. Public Apathy Amplifies Noise
   The real tragedy of Citizens United isn’t the money—it’s our failure to think critically and prioritize substance over spectacle. When we let the loudest voices dominate without questioning their content, we allow money to win by default.

The Truth About Citizens United Is It Led To People Believing In The Crime of Publicly Funded Elections

Many politicians, particularly on the left, claim that publicly funded elections are the solution to the problems exposed by Citizens United. Figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren argue that taxpayer-funded campaigns would level the playing field. But the truth about this proposal is that it simply shifts the burden onto the public, forcing Americans to pay for political speech they may disagree with.

1. A Tax on Free Speech
   Publicly funded elections amount to a forced redistribution of campaign costs. This means taxpayers would be funding candidates and policies they might oppose—a direct contradiction of the First Amendment’s principles.
   
2. Robbery by Another Name
   Public funding doesn’t eliminate corruption or guarantee fairness—it just creates a new layer of bureaucracy. Instead of addressing the root causes of political dysfunction, it masks the symptoms while burdening taxpayers further.
   
3. The Illusion of Reform
   Advocating for publicly funded elections allows politicians to appear as reformers without challenging the deeper cultural issues: apathy, media literacy, and the willingness to let money dictate visibility.

The Individual’s Obligation To Understand The Truth About Citizens United

The truth about Citizens United is that it didn’t silence Americans—it revealed how easily we surrender our voices. Blaming the system is convenient, but it overlooks the power and responsibility we each hold as citizens. Here’s what needs to change:

1. Listen Through the Noise
   Stop assuming that louder or more frequent messages are inherently valid. Take the time to seek out diverse perspectives and evaluate arguments on their merits.
   
2. Speak Up, Even Against the Odds
   Every individual has the ability to contribute to the marketplace of ideas. Even if you feel drowned out, your voice matters. The antidote to moneyed speech is meaningful speech.
   
3. Demand Consistency From Leaders
   Hold politicians accountable—not just for their promises but for their actions. If a candidate claims to oppose Citizens United but benefits from Super PACs, call out the hypocrisy.

Real Solutions: Transparency and Accountability

Reforming the political system doesn’t require more taxes or restrictions—it requires cultural and systemic changes that empower individuals and expose corruption.

1. Transparency in Political Spending
   Ensure that all political expenditures are clearly disclosed. Sunlight is the best disinfectant—let voters see who’s funding what and decide for themselves.
   
2. Elevate Value Over Volume
   Shift the cultural narrative to prioritize meaningful speech over repetitive noise. This starts with education, media literacy, and personal responsibility.
   
3. Amplify Grassroots Movements
   Support campaigns and organizations that rely on authenticity and connection rather than endless funding. The more we invest in grassroots efforts, the less power moneyed interests will hold.
   

Reclaiming the Marketplace of Ideas

Citizens United didn’t destroy democracy; rather, it exposed how easily we let ourselves be manipulated by volume over value. In reality, the truth about Citizens United is that it’s not an excuse for apathy; instead, it’s a call to action. As a result, as individuals, we have the power to listen critically, speak courageously, and demand more from our leaders. Ultimately, the question is, will we rise to the challenge—or let the noise win?