Check out this episode of Frontline:

https://www.pbs.org/video/frontline-big-sky-big-money/ (Links to an external site.)

As you watch please answer these questions: 

1. What is a 501 c(4) and how is it different from a SuperPac? What are these groups NOT allowed to do?

2. Do you agree that it’s “fair to play by the rules given to me…” or are there higher rules for participation in politics?

3. Do you agree with Jim Bopp’s assertion that who is behind a political ad is irrelevant to democracy?

4. How did the State of Montana react to people buying political power? Why is the spending on political ads troubling to people in Montana?

5. Do you think the activities of groups like Western Tradition Partnership (WTP) violate the law preventing issue groups from campaigning for candidates?  Why or why not?

6. Do you see a problem with unlimited, secret, anonymous donations to political races? Why or why not?

7 . Do you think the Montana Supreme Court should be able to contradict the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizen’s United vs. FEC according to your understanding of Federalism?

8. Do you think WTP (now American Trade Partnership), and other groups like it has done anything illegal?