http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/us/politics/in-turn-to-politics-facebook-starts-a-pac.html?_r=1&ref=politics
Facebook, the social networking site, is more politically involved that its average user base.
The company, which began its lobbying in 2007, represents the PAC as a method of letting their employees views be heard in Washington. But the thing is, the privacy issues surrounding social networking sites leave gray areas yet to be cleared up by legislation. The company's presence in D.C. could lead to even more abuse of users' information.
Google has a PAC too, it's not as new, it started in 2006, but it has already spent over $345,000 on congressional campaigns. The involvement of Google also calls into question the regulation of monopolies.
"Last week, Eric Schmidt, the chairman of Google’s board and the former chief executive, testified before a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the issue of competition.
Mr. Schmidt told the committee that Google is in “the area” of a monopoly, but is engaged in fierce competition with other companies. " Seems to be a contradictory statement.
Corporations shouldn't have any influence on politics. They are not human beings and therefore cannot be citizens and therefore cannot have freedom of speech, or any of the other rights held by American citizens.
I never really understood PACs, and their purpose. They're to fundraise for campaigning, usually, so your sentiment about Facebook and Google having PACs is completely valid. Unless Mark Zuckerberg plans on running for office, which, god forbid, isn't very likely.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this does bring in the question of how politically involved online social networking sites and companies like Facebook and Google should be. Because FB has many members of different backgrounds, and if the company uses that PAC money to endorse any specific campaign, they might lose some users.
BYTHEWAY, Stephen Colbert has a PAC too. A Super PAC. And if HE's running for office, I would totally donate.
The development of PAC's for social networking sites is beyond ridiculous. As if Google and Facebook don't have enough influence already... I agree that they shouldn't be granted the same rights as individuals and one can only hope that their power will at least be put on hold in DC long enough to resolve the issues of user privacy and monopoly regulation.
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