The United States Supreme Court has ruled in a 5-4 decision that bans on the use of corporate and labor funds to directly oppose or support a candidate violates the First Amendment. The ban had been in effect for decades.

In the same case, Citizens United v. FEC, the court struck down a major aspect of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill: The ban on corporate and labor-sponsored ads in the final days of the campaign.

It’s a good day for the First Amendment and the very principle of free speech. You may not like corporations or unions, but they have the right to express their political beliefs and support or oppose candidates they feel will help or harm their business.

And it’s a two-way street. They have the right to support or oppose the candidates they wish, while I have the right to determine which companies I will patronize. I also have the right to openly criticize their choices and support my own. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be in a free country.

As equally important, corporate and labor money never actually left the political system. It was just hidden several steps away from its originating source. This decision will allow companies and unions to openly support or oppose candidates, bringing about significantly more transparency. Another plus.

More: Hot Air.