September 20, 2004
Huge Political Contributions Poses Concern for Judges' Impartiality
Money pours into Alabama Supreme Court races. Everywhere we look, special interests attempt to influence politics. Disclosure certainly helps keep a bright light to help assure that the straight and narrow road will be followed, but at what point do we just say no to special interest contributions for all political offices? Attempts at the federal level to curb this activity have left loopholes for soft money to still be used. It is disheartening to believe that everything is controlled by special interests and their big money, but it sure looks that way.
This article highlights this very issue:
"MONTGOMERY — Supreme Court judges are elected to make fair and impartial rulings and hear every case with an open mind.
But record breaking amounts of money that are pouring into Alabama’s race this year are casting doubt on that basic duty, judicial observers say.
So far this year, candidates running for three court seats have raised at least $3.2 million, according to financial disclosure forms. That number is expected to climb far higher before November based on fundraising totals from June, the last time they were required."
For the complete article see: http://www.annistonstar.com/news/2004/as-state-0920-asieckmann-4i20a2336.htm
See complete information on Issues Central's Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Playbook(tm) at www.issuescentral.com
This article highlights this very issue:
"MONTGOMERY — Supreme Court judges are elected to make fair and impartial rulings and hear every case with an open mind.
But record breaking amounts of money that are pouring into Alabama’s race this year are casting doubt on that basic duty, judicial observers say.
So far this year, candidates running for three court seats have raised at least $3.2 million, according to financial disclosure forms. That number is expected to climb far higher before November based on fundraising totals from June, the last time they were required."
For the complete article see: http://www.annistonstar.com/news/2004/as-state-0920-asieckmann-4i20a2336.htm
See complete information on Issues Central's Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Playbook(tm) at www.issuescentral.com
