Thank you for your work on this. We wouldn't otherwise know. If we break the corporate grip on our government, democracy has a chance at survival. We'll have to pry them off, finger by greedy finger.
The Citizens United decision is one of the worst to ever be issued by the SCOTUS. Buying influence & access is bribery. In what logical, or ethical way does corrupting elected representatives help a government function or make good decisions for it's citizens? The SCOTUS handing down this atrocious ruling in the first place is directly linked to the politicization of the court & the appointment of unqualified, partisan justices who increasingly rule in favor of one party & increasingly rule in ways that remove rights from citizens. It's all connected & it's no wonder that far too many Americans feel disaffected, don't trust government & fell for a conman/demagogue who told them he'd "Drain the swamp." Another lie, but it's an indicator of just how enthusiastic voters were to find a fix (even a lousy one) for a broken system. It's also pathetic that corporations have such a desire to maintain donations. If only they'd have the same desire to pay their fair share of taxes. This country would be in better fiscal shape.
You will never take the money out of politics. The best you can do is add more sunshine. Should be regulations and laws that would give a full scope of information on the monies that Pols get or is spent on their behave and on what lobbyists they see and when and on all bills/laws passed they should have to be annotated with who/where the language in the bill/regulation came from. Everything on the web and easily accessed and complete. For monies that information should have to be available and traceable back to an individual not some llc owned by some llc etc prior to any dollars being spent or it is not tax deductable. For access we should be able to know on a daily basis who our legislators and staff spend their time with. For annotation we should be able to know who is writing our bills and regulations.
Well, there was a period when we did limit the money that corporations, who were not then thought to be people, could donate to candidates, and we'd still be there had the Supremes not decided otherwise.
There are more and more Congressional members on the Democrat side that are refusing to take PAC money from corporate lobbyists. Instead they use grassroots fundraising. I too have concerns that it will be difficult, if not impossible to get money out of politics, but it's really up to citizens regardless of political persuasion to put pressure on elected representatives to make the necessary reforms. It's really up to all of us to expect better, and to stop accepting mediocrity from government. It's just my opinion, but this country won't get better if we continue down this dysfunctional path. I hope things can get better.
Grassroots fundraising and grassroot worker bees under the call of Abrams elected Ossoff and Warnock in GA last Jan. The voter rights infringements passed by 43 state legislatures in 2021 will highly impact effective use of said funds. That is where the GOP is so effective. And that is where money is flowing from 1% and corporations. The GOP wants to choke local, state and federal elections. The great takeover is total and multi leveled. Have no doubt, the plans have been in motion for awhile. The Dems are far behind in the game for America.
as to the corporate bottom line (i am ignorant) are corporations allowed to deduct payments to political operatives (congress)?......that is not true for individuals.
also certainly congress, both sides, are just as culpable......for every buyer there is a seller. corps may be buying influence and support but obviously it's discouraging to realize congress is selling those same things.
It would be beneficial to the cause of "sunshine" for someone to write a regular accounting of these lobbies and their gives and takes with those most endowed with this corporate money.
Thank you for your work on this. We wouldn't otherwise know. If we break the corporate grip on our government, democracy has a chance at survival. We'll have to pry them off, finger by greedy finger.
The Citizens United decision is one of the worst to ever be issued by the SCOTUS. Buying influence & access is bribery. In what logical, or ethical way does corrupting elected representatives help a government function or make good decisions for it's citizens? The SCOTUS handing down this atrocious ruling in the first place is directly linked to the politicization of the court & the appointment of unqualified, partisan justices who increasingly rule in favor of one party & increasingly rule in ways that remove rights from citizens. It's all connected & it's no wonder that far too many Americans feel disaffected, don't trust government & fell for a conman/demagogue who told them he'd "Drain the swamp." Another lie, but it's an indicator of just how enthusiastic voters were to find a fix (even a lousy one) for a broken system. It's also pathetic that corporations have such a desire to maintain donations. If only they'd have the same desire to pay their fair share of taxes. This country would be in better fiscal shape.
Thanks very much Judd for your research and this information.
You will never take the money out of politics. The best you can do is add more sunshine. Should be regulations and laws that would give a full scope of information on the monies that Pols get or is spent on their behave and on what lobbyists they see and when and on all bills/laws passed they should have to be annotated with who/where the language in the bill/regulation came from. Everything on the web and easily accessed and complete. For monies that information should have to be available and traceable back to an individual not some llc owned by some llc etc prior to any dollars being spent or it is not tax deductable. For access we should be able to know on a daily basis who our legislators and staff spend their time with. For annotation we should be able to know who is writing our bills and regulations.
Well, there was a period when we did limit the money that corporations, who were not then thought to be people, could donate to candidates, and we'd still be there had the Supremes not decided otherwise.
There are more and more Congressional members on the Democrat side that are refusing to take PAC money from corporate lobbyists. Instead they use grassroots fundraising. I too have concerns that it will be difficult, if not impossible to get money out of politics, but it's really up to citizens regardless of political persuasion to put pressure on elected representatives to make the necessary reforms. It's really up to all of us to expect better, and to stop accepting mediocrity from government. It's just my opinion, but this country won't get better if we continue down this dysfunctional path. I hope things can get better.
Grassroots fundraising and grassroot worker bees under the call of Abrams elected Ossoff and Warnock in GA last Jan. The voter rights infringements passed by 43 state legislatures in 2021 will highly impact effective use of said funds. That is where the GOP is so effective. And that is where money is flowing from 1% and corporations. The GOP wants to choke local, state and federal elections. The great takeover is total and multi leveled. Have no doubt, the plans have been in motion for awhile. The Dems are far behind in the game for America.
And
That was an insurrection, not a riot.
as to the corporate bottom line (i am ignorant) are corporations allowed to deduct payments to political operatives (congress)?......that is not true for individuals.
also certainly congress, both sides, are just as culpable......for every buyer there is a seller. corps may be buying influence and support but obviously it's discouraging to realize congress is selling those same things.
It would be beneficial to the cause of "sunshine" for someone to write a regular accounting of these lobbies and their gives and takes with those most endowed with this corporate money.
This angle is great. Thanks for the bigger picture and focus.
Outstanding! I love being able to argue concretely with my conservative brother on the relative merits of corporate lobbying.