50 Comments

You may think this is trivial but the media needs to stop referring to him as SBF like he is a close friend or a cultural icon.

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A bit ironic that the “speakers” of all this Citizens United “first amendment free speech” are purposely hidden.

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Our political system is based solely on money. So many reforms are needed but the Rethuglicans have locked us into a difficult situation with their SCOTUS picks and fed judges. Citizens United was a travesty along with decisions clarifying the right wing view of our 2nd Amendment.

Money is our ruler, and we must reform election laws. We must address the allowance of the right- wing-owned media conglomerates to promote intentional lies that result in harm and death.

Transparency provided by your posts, Judd, is the beginning if a long road. Thank you.

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Why things won't change as long as Republicons hold power: "The Senate brought the DISCLOSE Act up for a vote in September. All Democratic members voted for it, and all Republican members opposed it. Since the bill required 60 votes to pass, it failed."

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founding

High praise goes to Sheldon Whitehouse D of Rhode Island, such a bright, articulate, and undaunted public servant!

My current hobbyhorse: How George Santos won a NY Congressional seat:"The cousin and cash handler for one of Russia’s most notorious oligarchs poured tens of thousands of dollars into electing a newly minted congressman-elect who called Ukraine’s government 'a totalitarian regime.'" This surely must be illegal, and if so, can he be removed from his new office?

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There’s really no way to know to whom SBF donated, and who cares anyway. He’s a known liar, maybe trying now to appease the Republican side of the aisle as he faces investigation (and hopefully jail.) I think this article presumes too much, especially when saying “it’s possible” he spent more on Republicans. I think the lead is buried here, which is dark money being spent for influence and the DISCLOSE act opposed by every Senate Republican.That’s the story, and I’d like to hear comments from those Republicans.

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The media disappoint. The political parties disappoint. Major organized religions disappoint. Corporations disappoint. It is all so depressing! As species we just seem to be floundering. Have a great day.

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Media perception places SBF as a younger version of Soros as a major donor to the Democrats. More light must be placed on the amount of donations to the GOP.

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I'm usually more glass half-full, but do we think the wider public would actually work to read what passing the DISCLOSE Act would provide? I know those of us in this community would, but would it lead to a tipping point?

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Can foreigners donate to dark money non-profit organizations? Anybody know?

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I want to share this article, however, I feel I need to forward it with a ‘key’ for all the acronym use, as not all my friends follow politics and news as closely or know what SLF, CLF, etc reference.

Regardless, an important topic and I truly hope DISCLOSE can gain traction and be presented again for a vote and pass. Thanks for doing this important work.

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This "Follow the Money" map shows how dark money is also at play in the recent lawsuit to ban abortion pills and anti-LGBTQ bills. https://thedemlabs.org/2022/12/01/abortion-pill-ban-being-funded-by-dark-money/

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There are 2 parts to our legislative body. The House/Congress and the

Senate. The Congress can on 1 side; the Democrats all vote to

pass a bill i.e. DISCLOSE Act, but it

must then go to the Senate for a

majority vote to become law, then

back to the Congress for ratification and sent to the President. I think this is the distinction that has to be made Congress/Senate not just political party when talking about

bills. We also, as the citizens who

elect our representatives, can't

become complacent after an election. They are there to serve

us, the people. Keep after them

to do the jobs they campaigned

for. As for this crypto twerp, I

hope he goes to jail for a long

time. He's hurt a lot of people

who took a chance on what I

Ithink of as fake gold coins in

a kids pirate chest.

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This is a prime example of why politics should not involve corporate money...it was never intended to turn out this way when the Founders wrote all the documentation of how this country is supposed to work, to avoid all this crap...

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This article illuminates how dark money works it’s magic. I don’t think any legislation can stop it.

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You see what Trump has done over the years and as president. You see what multiple Congress people have done. You see what Putin is doing and on and on. They get away with evething. So...

bright young bird says. "I will try it, too."

Sadly it just might work. His investors are broke. No way to mount a big lawsuit.

Let the buyer beware.

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