Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, better known as SBF, burst onto the political scene and cast himself as the financial savior of the Democratic Party.
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.
Take action! Pressure your Senator to pass S.1, the Senate version of H.R.1, the For the People Act, before 1/3/23. Ask if they will work through the holidays.
Eric, I’ve been writing to my senators, calling my senators for years. Unless multi-millions write in, there is little effect. Fortunately, I now have leaders who are Democrats. But money rules.
I agree that it is insane to take a break when we’re in a crisis.
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."
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?
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.
Great summation and yes, I too would like to hear the justification behind their obstruction (this time). I would love to hear a huge groundswell of public opprobrium directed at these constant criminals.
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.
George, on an uplifting note, it is not the entire species that is floundering. There are more sane than not, but we don’t control the microphone. I do wonder sometimes if the MAGA crowd is devolution in front of our eyes. They seem to be a different branch of our species. But how could they still be live while we are? 😂🤦🏻
"They" are louder and defiantly dishonest. Remember that their inspiration is Trump, a talented performer. As long as people like Judd Legum continue to expose the lies, and fill in the missing information, we do have HOPE. Then there are those who reveal themselves without outside help: Herschel Walker who keeps shooting himself in both feet; and Kari Lake, who couldn't be any slicker, was seen as empty.
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.
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?
I can't say for sure but I believe the Saudi's did and it appears that the Soviets filtered money thru the NRA. Let's err on the side of caution and assume that they do and need to be stopped.
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.
Why am I unsurprised? Conservatives & republicans = constant criminals. ALL of them! If they aren't doing the dirt, they support it if with nothing more than their silence as tacit approval.
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
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...
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.
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.
Yes, "Bankman-Fried" is an apt name for him. This bank man found all of his assets fried.
Indeed, freed was fried! Lol.
MSM needs to get their Schitt together and stop portraying Dems as losers or potential losers, no matter the subject
A bit ironic that the “speakers” of all this Citizens United “first amendment free speech” are purposely hidden.
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.
Take action! Pressure your Senator to pass S.1, the Senate version of H.R.1, the For the People Act, before 1/3/23. Ask if they will work through the holidays.
Eric, I’ve been writing to my senators, calling my senators for years. Unless multi-millions write in, there is little effect. Fortunately, I now have leaders who are Democrats. But money rules.
I agree that it is insane to take a break when we’re in a crisis.
Critical, no Holiday, no brainer
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."
And Hillary won the election by almost 3 MILLION! Votes…but lost.
Still boggles my mind, only election where the winner loses.
Yes, after reading reading an article about how both parties are venal grovellers, the correct take is "The Republicans MADE the Democrats do it!"
What the hell???
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?
Holy schitt
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.
Great summation and yes, I too would like to hear the justification behind their obstruction (this time). I would love to hear a huge groundswell of public opprobrium directed at these constant criminals.
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.
George, on an uplifting note, it is not the entire species that is floundering. There are more sane than not, but we don’t control the microphone. I do wonder sometimes if the MAGA crowd is devolution in front of our eyes. They seem to be a different branch of our species. But how could they still be live while we are? 😂🤦🏻
"They" are louder and defiantly dishonest. Remember that their inspiration is Trump, a talented performer. As long as people like Judd Legum continue to expose the lies, and fill in the missing information, we do have HOPE. Then there are those who reveal themselves without outside help: Herschel Walker who keeps shooting himself in both feet; and Kari Lake, who couldn't be any slicker, was seen as empty.
Who will take on Rupert and his ilk
Dominion Voting Systems
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.
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?
Can foreigners donate to dark money non-profit organizations? Anybody know?
I can't say for sure but I believe the Saudi's did and it appears that the Soviets filtered money thru the NRA. Let's err on the side of caution and assume that they do and need to be stopped.
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.
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/
Why am I unsurprised? Conservatives & republicans = constant criminals. ALL of them! If they aren't doing the dirt, they support it if with nothing more than their silence as tacit approval.
No shock here, not new
Open Secrets is another good way
to find out who's donating to who
and how much. That doesn't cover
the dark money though and that's
what needs to have the blanket ripped off of.
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.
"Fake gold coins in a kids pirate chest." What an excellent description/visualization! Indeed. i always thought crypto was a bloody scam.
If you're smart, you watch it and
see what happens with it nearly
every day. Up & down, win &
lose, before investing a penny.
It's a 'get rich quick' scam IMHO
that leaves a trail of heartache
for too many. Musk drove it and
then cashed in.
Once I found out how volatile that "financial instrument" is/was, I didn't have to look.
Who didn’t know it was fake gold, duh
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...
Tell that to Roberts
This article illuminates how dark money works it’s magic. I don’t think any legislation can stop it.
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.
Crypto always struck me as a scam.
Every evidence points to it from this escapade.
Oh yeah! The whole house of marked cards is falling in.