Ad Too Hot For New York Times: Company Refused To Run Ad

A new ad, released today, asks the provocative question: “Is the Supreme Court corporate America’s newest subsidiary?” The ad, released by MoveOn.org Political Action, People for the America Way and Alliance for Justice Action Campaign, was rejected by the New York Times and will run in the Washington Post next week.

You can see the ad here: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88210

In addition to the ad, the groups also released a new poll from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research that shows a majority of Americans—across party lines–believe that this Supreme Court favors big corporations over individuals.

You can see the poll here: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88214

On the eve of President Obama’s second nomination to the court, the ad and poll seek to steer the debate over the newest nominee away from Washington politics as usual and point out the growing corporatization of the Court.

As the ad states, “recent rulings have allowed corporations to get away with paying women less than men, discriminating against the rights of older workers, dodging liability for faulty medical devices, ducking the Clean Water Act and avoid paying damages for the Exxon Valdez oil spill.”

In addition, as the ad also states, this is no small matter because, “the Court will soon rule on consumer rights in bankruptcy, workplace protection against discrimination, the new health care law and a copyright rule that could dramatically increase consumer prices.”

“We have seen the Roberts Court repeatedly put the expansion of corporations rights and powers over those of individuals,” said Justin Ruben, Executive Director of MoveOn.org. “Americans need someone to fill Justice Steven’s shoes who will show the same conviction in fighting for the rights of the other 98% of America—who are working hard and trying to make ends meet. Our country must have a real debate over the issues that matter and the future of the Court. Not the politics as usual that has become the norm for Supreme Court nomination battles.”

“On the eve of President Obama’s second pick to the Court our poll clearly shows that while the Supreme Court enjoys the respect of average voters, its standing is colored by a majority of voters who believe that the Court favors big corporations over individuals. This will likely be very important in the debate around the nominee and the future of the Court,” said Anna Greenberg, Senior Vice President of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research.

“As we feared, it’s become clear that the Roberts Court is pushing a political agenda from the bench, putting the interests of big business over the rights of ordinary Americans,” said Michael B. Keegan, President of People For the American Way.  “Our Constitution guarantees fair treatment for every American. We need a Supreme Court that agrees with that very fundamental principle”

"This poll shows clearly that people of all political viewpoints admire the Supreme Court but are concerned that it doesn’t stand up for everyday Americans,” said Nan Aron, President of the Alliance for Justice Action Campaign. “Large majorities, across the ideological spectrum, expressed serious misgivings about the Roberts Court’s cases favoring corporate interests. The American people understand that the courts have an enormous impact on their lives and they expect the next justice will bring to the Court a standard of fairness that ensures that corporate interests do not get preferential treatment and that the rights of all Americans are protected equally."

MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by 5 million progressive Americans. We believe in the power of small donors and grassroots action to elect progressive leaders to office and to advance a progressive agenda. We do not accept any donations over $5,000, and the average donation to MoveOn.org Political Action is under $100.