Super PACs and Big Money Weasels: "Corruptus Big Shotus"

Helping to Educate Young Americans

Update on the huge, really huge Super PACs, their money, who gives, and the end result: political corruption. And, yes, make no mistake about it: it is legalized corruption.

This fine report comes from the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU  ... here in part with my spin:

My Question: Are you truly concerned about our system and who really controls it?

Ponder these two points as you answer consider the question:

1.  Across all federal elections since Citizens United was decided in 2010 (see analysis here), there has been more than $1 billion in Super PAC spending.

2.  A mere 195 individuals and their spouses gave almost 60 percent of that money — more than $600 million

So, do you still think we live in a true representative democratic system? Or that your $250,00 or $1,000.00 matters in the grand scheme?

You may want to check out this recent study put out by Princeton University, in part here:

As they say in the vernacular – this shit stinks. First, this short introduction from the piece:

A new study from Princeton spells bad news for American democracy — namely, that it no longer exists.

Call it the path to power - what does it take to run America?

Here, Go Run for Congress

(then call me - we'll have lunch)

Princeton researchers Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page asked the question: “Who really rules?” They argue that over the past few decades America's political system has slowly transformed from a democracy into an oligarchy, where wealthy elites wield most power.

Using data drawn from over 1,800 different policy initiatives from 1981 to 2002, the two conclude that rich, well-connected individuals on the political scene now steer the direction of the country, regardless of or even against the will of the majority of voters.

“The central point that emerges from our research is that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence.”

Boy, oh, boy do my two posts tie together. Quite by accident, too. I found the Princeton report right after I posted the Brennan Center above. Both are critical issues, I think. But, more importantly, what do you think and what are "we" prepared to do about it? 

Enjoy your research here and thanks for stopping by.