What's with the peeing contest? So the Republicans have more rich guys or more singular wealth than the Democrats. Not any surprise and less meaningful than how they think the economy should run. In contrast to right wing blather it is evident that these over endowed Romney supporters believe in Socialism for their tiny constituency. Even though they already have more money than God they want the rest of us to pay them even more via government. Remember Mr. Romney said out loud "We don't need more police, firemen, or teachers." Also he adamantly stated "Corporations are people." Now the last time I looked Corporations have no human organs, intellect, or emotions but the public servants he mentioned have all those characteristics. Conglomerates certainly derive from human effort as a product just like a washing machine. Somehow the .1% don't realize such machines are not citizens of the United States. They vigorously insist we give to their Daddy Warbucks club. Why? Because they have more. Given their way we would have a less protected, less educated society and be at their beck and call. Makes a lot of sense? They also must be ashamed of this position since they try desperately to hide their contributions to these Pacs. Their excuse. They are putting their lives at risk by making such donations. More likely they know that they are shamelessly taking advantage of the American public to enrich themselves by removing the same from those with much less. They believe in zero sum games(I win, you lose) with no regard for the erosion of our economic well being as a nation. Some patriots these guys are. They should be put out of business. Instead of being capitalists they act like Communists using their wealth to run the country as an economic dictatorship and taking away our Freedoms. Let's wake up and smell the roses.

UNIONS ARE PEOPLE TOO. And that is how the DEMOCRATS always got THEIR big money. It is a pissing contest and the Democrats do not like the competition. Grow some backbone, stop whining and move on. OH. And the UNIONS are finding that Joe Q Public does not like to pay for their too high benefits and changes are on the way, even in MASSACHUSETTS.***** Between 1989-2012 donations from Act Blue(A PAC allowing individuals and groups to channel their progressive dollars to candidates and movements of their choosing) gave approx. 62 million , American Federation of State, Count & Municipal Workers gave approx. 47 million, SEIU gave approx. 38 million, American Federation of Teachers gave approx 33 million and Teamsters gave 32 million. These are just the ones I could find. How many more?

Romneys commercials look so nice and bright...its like going back to leave it to beaver days....Wont be long before everyone starts to realize that his vision is of an america that never existed and cannot exist. That this man will say or do anything to get elected and never consider himself to be lying or misleading. That he is so rich he clearly cannot and will not relate to average people. And the big elephant in the closet ...his mormon religion.. is still waiting to be brought up.

The Super Pacs now bring some equality to the race. In the past, the Democratic candidate always received unbridled support from unions, many of whose members have no voice, but are forced to support it financially. In addition, the public airways, in the form of the national media, are 100% supporters of Obama, as they would be any Democrat nominee. Allowing the rest of us to support a candidate without limit is simply more fair. To the extent that it benefits Romney, it does so by making it more equitable.

Wow, the lar left had zero problem with the unions giving money. Now it's a problem? Love the double standard.

"Allowing the rest of us to support a candidate without limit is simply more fair. To the extent that it benefits Romney, it does so by making it more equitable." The rest of us? Are you kidding? Citizens United wasn't about the "rest of us". You either know that and are being intentionally obtuse for reasons of your own or you are delusional. This is about the kind of money that is available only to giant corporations or individuals with extreme wealth. To couch your argument in populist terms is ludicrous. But you know that.

This notion that there is some kind of separation between the Super-Pacs that focus on negative ads and attack ads and the candidates they so obviously support is truly Orwellian. Thanks to the Globe for pointing out the direct connection between Romney and his current friends and collegues who run them.

I've spent the past fifteen minutes pondering this article and previous comments. For me the discussion of Citizens United boils down to two questions: 1. If enough money is thrown behind a "bad" idea, can it irreversibly trump a "good" idea? 2. Should each of us -- individually or collectively -- have the right to bankroll an idea to the limit of our bank account(s)? Put another way, if there is an expenditure limit, does that abridge our "free speech"? If that does lead to abridgement, what is the "greater good" served in the process? [NEW PARAGRAPH] I confess I don't have a definitive position at the moment on Citizens United. If some of you could address my earlier questions, that might bring clarity for me.

The strongest force behind the Romney campaign is the ignorance of the easily influenced voters,democrats,republicans and independents. A sorry state of affairs for our beloved country. I weep for our once great country! Please tell me what happened!

NH Cabin - has it right with Act Blue, the union's PAC that you seldom see or hear mentioned by the media. Also, Obama reaped very big benefits from 'bundling' donations in the last election that propelled him into the White House! Then the scum-bag Axelrod comes to our Statehouse looking for 'dirt' to try and smear Gov. Mitt Romney! Too few Americans understand that Romney WORKED with a Democratic house and ACCOMPLISHED more than Obama has in his term. Obama's campaign promises to UNITE the country - NOT accomplished (he failed to consult his own party members - more than 90% of the time). Obama's campaign promises to 'fix' the immigration laws - NOT accomplished, rather Obama & Axlerod are using this as a wedge issue during this campaign. However, no one is drinking the Koolaid, or drooling over the 'walk on water man' with his mantra of 'hope.' Many of us are hoping for a better future without the poor decision-making of Axlerod, Obama and the Chicago gang.

Actually, it was the ignorance of the novice voters, and many, many first time voters who came to the polls to vote for a black man with few credentials. Too many believed his message of 'hope' & 'change,' which made no sense - coming from a man who didn't practice what he preached when he was in the senate. Also, Obama's campaign promises . . . didn't happen. Stop weeping over your last vote and vow to change what you can with your second chance.

"The rest of us" refers to the free thinking people who do not agree with the uber-left world view espoused by the national media. But, Willie, I think you knew that anyway. The advantage that the unions and the media gave to the Democrats was simply egregious. Citizen's United, the Super Pacs they spawned, have helped to even the playing field.

I agree with cantabridgian 100%. It was the ignorant voter who truly believed that a community organizer, part time law instructor, and US Senator for 3 years was qualified to be president. The nation has paid the price of electing a rock star President. He had NO quailifications to be president, but had the gift of oratory, and the ability to read a speech. Today, he is just a full time celebrity: Barack Hussein Kardashian.