Passing the Disclose Act would shed some light on stealth campaign spending

[Commentary] The prospect of secret money flooding into federal elections has progressed from disturbing theory to full-fledged reality. Groups with anodyne names like Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Job Security and Crossroads GPS are, with no legal requirement that they reveal the names of their donors, spending millions of dollars on television advertising and other activities designed to support favored congressional candidates. Tax laws permit a certain degree of political activity by nonprofit advocacy groups and trade associations without requiring reports on the source of the spending. Corporations, labor unions and wealthy individuals that want to influence elections without revealing their involvement can use such entities to do so. But the Supreme Court invited even more of this activity with its decision in the Citizens United case, which allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited sums to target particular lawmakers for election or defeat. In advance of the November election, especially on the Republican side, that opportunity is being taken up with vigor. This development is unhealthy for democracy.