Even before their Massachusetts victory this week, Republicans enjoyed a multitude of advantages in this year’s midterm elections. Some feel that the Supreme Court has most likely just delivered one more: money.

Today’s ruling upends the nation’s campaign finance laws, allowing corporations and labor unions to spend freely on behalf of political candidates. With less than 11 months before the fall elections, the floodgates for political contributions will open wide, adding another element of intrigue to the fight for control of Congress.

At first blush, Republican candidates would seem to benefit from this seismic change in how political campaigns are conducted in America. The political environment – an angry, frustrated electorate seeking change in Washington – was already favoring Republicans. Now corporations, labor unions and a host of other organizations can weigh in like never before.

But the populist showdown that was already brewing – President Obama on Thursday sought to limit the size of the nation’s banks – will surely only intensify by the Supreme Court’s ruling. The development means that both sides will have even louder megaphones to make their voices and viewpoints heard. Mr. Obama issued a statement – a rare instance of a president immediately weighing in on a ruling from the high court – and said his administration would work with Congressional leaders “to develop a forceful response to this decision.”

“With its ruling today, the Supreme Court has given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics,” Mr. Obama said. “It is a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans.”

Republicans, of course, hailed the ruling as a victory for the First Amendment.

“I am pleased that the Supreme Court has acted to protect the Constitution’s First Amendment rights of free speech and association,” said Senator John Cornyn of Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “These are the bedrock principles that underpin our system of governance and strengthen our democracy.”

Democrats, not surprisingly, said the ruling would be bad for democracy.

Fairly, black and white, right? Wrong. At first glance, it would appear that the Republicans had a clear victory today. However, it we take a second closer look, the situation takes on a different appearance. To help this picture a little clearer, I have included some interesting data. First, let’s examine the leading union political campaign contributors from 1990-2010 (the article is a little slanted, but the numbers don’t lie). I’d say union contributors have been good to the Democratic party over the past 20 years. Now what about President Obama? Doesn’t look like corporate contributors did bad by him either?

As clarification, those contributions were made by individuals affiliated with those organizations, not the corporations themselves, but with the new ruling, what’s to stop them in the future?

Now look, I’m not trying to make anyone the bad guy. I just want readers to understand that people involved involved in politics are politicians first. A lot of what we are sold as disagreements and opposition are really calculated over “beers.”

Interesting how someone usually so slow to respond was “Johnny-on-the-spot” this time with a statement. In my humble opinion, no one is guilt free until corporate contributions are done away with altogether. And if President Obama is going to the be the president that I’m confident he will be, he will have to lead the charge. I hope that is what his quick response signals today. Just my two cents though. What do I know? I’m curious to find out what you think. Leave your comments below.