The Case That Could Take Down Super PACs & Stop Dark Money ft. Lawrence Lessig | Shane Has Questions

Harvard Law’s Lawrence Lessig, founder of Creative Commons and Equal Citizens, joins Shane for look at how money captured American politics and what it will take to break its grip. Lessig explains why the real super PAC problem wasn’t created by Citizens United but by a lower-court ruling, and why a new Maine initiative could become the test case that finally reins in unlimited outside spending, potentially nationwide by 2028. They dig into the Supreme Court’s expanding power, how crypto and AI money are rewriting policy in real time, and whether “lawfare” is a buzzword or a genuine threat. Along the way: wage theft vs. our TV-obsession with robberies, why institutions keep settling with extortionists, and what reform has the best odds. In the lightning round, Lessig names dark money as democracy’s bigger danger over disinformation. Subscribe to VICE News here: http://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE-News Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/SHANE. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. #VICENews #news #sshq Check out VICE News for more: http://vicenews.com Follow VICE News here: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vicenews?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicenews Twitter: https://twitter.com/vicenews Instagram: http://instagram.com/vicenews More videos from the VICE network: https://www.fb.com/vicevideo ============================= Chapters 00:00 How Super PACs Reshaped U.S. Politics 02:18 Maine’s Fight To Rein In Big Money 03:50 Money As The New Gatekeeper Of Democracy 09:14 Why Super PACs Hold Outsized Power 11:01 Maine’s Appeal That Could Change Everything 15:06 Donor Pressure And The Silent Policy Fences 17:28 Billionaires And Crypto Shape The Agenda 21:29 Lawfare And The Weaponization Of Justice 24:00 When Prosecution Becomes Pressure 35:20 Key Lessons On Reform And Influence 37:30 The Path To Ending Super PAC Dominance ============================= The Case That Could Take Down Super PACs & Stop Dark Money ft. Lawrence Lessig | Shane Has Questions https://youtu.be/AFfY5A46kLo