Journal Entry 2 Part 1

 

The early 20th Century in America is known as the progressive era. The progressives were a political and social reform group that sought to make American society a better place to live and work. They aimed to do this by holding corporations accountable and exposing the corruption commonly seen within government at the time. 

As seen in the political cartoon, corporations at this time were unregulated and often openly interfered in the legislative process in order to assure their needs were catered to. 

 

While the progressives of the early 20th century passed landmark legislation which helped solve the problem of corporate hands in politics, nearly a quarter into the 21st century, the love affair between congress and corporate dollars is alive and well.  

              

The cartoon above shows how modern politicians claim to be against corporations involvement in politics while at the same time demanding corporate money for their campaigns. This parallel between the ties politicians had with corporations in the 20th century and now is striking.  Today, it seems to be something we have just accepted. In 2010, the supreme court ruled in  Citizens united Vs. Fec that the first amendment applies to corporations. And since they have first amendment rights, their rights to donate to political candidates is intact.  Indeed the same concerns that our progressive  era ancestors had are alive and well within the context of modern America.