"Social welfare" groups spent $137 million on the 2010 elections.

An excellent write-up of the deplorable situation in state and local races, where a few large donations can easily tip the balance in an election, and the source of the funds can remain unknown to the voters.

The Supreme Court recognized the importance of publicly naming donors, so "citizens can see whether elected officials are 'in the pocket' of so-called moneyd interests."

Instead, the decision has fostered a whole new era of secrecy.

According to the USA Today Editorial, these "social welfare" groups spent $137 million on the 2010 elections.