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U.S. Government Has Been Bought For $14 Billion

Posted by freedomforall 2 years, 8 months ago to Humor
14 comments | Share | Flag

I posted this as humor because parts of it actually are funny, but the statistics are true and exhibit support for the title of this article.

Excerpt:
"But yes, our politicians are more bought-off than ever before. A new analysis from Americans For Tax Fairness found that total billionaire contributions have soared over the past few years. The cycle before the Citizens United decision only saw $16 million worth of donations from billionaires to campaigns. This past cycle saw $2.6 billion worth of donations.

And how does that much money impact our elections? Well, the candidate who spends the most wins in the Senate around 80% of the time and wins in the House close to 90% of the time. But the reality is actually worse than those two numbers illustrate because they don’t cover the fact that the two parties who spend the most money win 100% of the time — A third party (non-corporate) candidate basically wins 0% of the time. "


All Comments

  • Posted by 2 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Indeed, a few years and out, never to seek public office or lobby again.
    Even that isn't enough. There will be no liberty until the federal government has been downsized by 99% (and not replaced with other government.)
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  • Posted by term2 2 years, 8 months ago
    If the government didnt have commercial powers, it wouldnt make sense for people to donate to campaigns. Its our own fault.
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  • Posted by $ blarman 2 years, 8 months ago
    I would propose a campaign finance law which restricts candidates from donating to any campaign in which they are not personally eligible to vote. And I support the notion of eliminating both corporations and unions both from donating to political candidates or PAC's.

    The other two changes I would make would be to rescind the 17th Amendment (returning the election of US Senators to their respective State Legislators) and to increase the size of the House of Representatives so that an individual Rep represented at most 200,000 people. (Yes, I've done the math and it would mean a House of over 2000 members but it would certainly be a more representative government and MUCH more expensive to buy.)
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  • Posted by brs02 2 years, 8 months ago
    And how did they compare to union contributions?
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  • Posted by mccannon01 2 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    LOL! "They" got much of the American people spinning so fast the drool is irrigating the corn crop.
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  • Posted by FelixORiley 2 years, 8 months ago
    Are we sure that the actual dollar figure is not around, say. a four-figure mark?
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 2 years, 8 months ago
    Most of us are concerned about various incremental changes in politics. China and billionaires can afford to think long term. I attribute this recent change as recognition by billionaires that they can sacrifice a little now, and OWN the future. We are all seeing a horrific media-Orwellian-1984 transition that is unprecedented in human history (at least worldwide). I think the billionaires are read in to the new plan.
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  • Posted by $ Markus_Katabri 2 years, 8 months ago
    There is no saving the system. Are WE the system? I’m starting to feel like a cog.
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  • Posted by 2 years, 8 months ago
    I only wish that they would move out of America. We need to dredge that swamp.
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  • Posted by Dobrien 2 years, 8 months ago
    This decision in 2011 just shifted the way the SLGPC buys influence. They have controlled the political crooks for many lifetimes.
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