In the run-up to the passage in 2002 of the McCain-Feingold Act, which tightened the nation’s campaign contribution restrictions, Senator John McCain predicted, "There will be a period of time of relatively clean elections — I emphasize relative — and then we will find some smart people who find smart ways around it."
Mr. McCain proved prescient. Twelve years later, a series of workarounds and court rulings have allowed more cash than ever to flood the political system. In that period, the top dozen individual donors spent at least $396 million in federal elections — about 1.5 percent of the entire $28 billion spent across the country — and an additional $271 million in state elections. And those amounts understate the donors’ total contributions: They don’t, for example, include money given to political nonprofit groups, which are not required to disclose their donors. This is why the billionaire Koch brothers don’t appear on the list.
MY COMMENTS*********************************************************
This article from the New York Times I found very interesting. It shows how Super rich people spend much of their wealth on political parties, functions and politicians. They are not your ordinary donors. They give millions in what they believe in. Their word carries a lot of weight and their money carries even more. You could probably lose an election if they supported another candidate on their money alone.
Of course there are campaign rules to follow concerning large donations. You could support hundreds of people in different states on their dollars. Separately the candidates would probably get the limit but the whole party itself would be well taken care of. Imagine not having to run out and raise money for a campaign because the millionaire or billionaire supporting you is taking care of all the bills? That to me would make the election much sweeter. Of course, is it legal? we will see. Each state has different rules.
Mr. McCain proved prescient. Twelve years later, a series of workarounds and court rulings have allowed more cash than ever to flood the political system. In that period, the top dozen individual donors spent at least $396 million in federal elections — about 1.5 percent of the entire $28 billion spent across the country — and an additional $271 million in state elections. And those amounts understate the donors’ total contributions: They don’t, for example, include money given to political nonprofit groups, which are not required to disclose their donors. This is why the billionaire Koch brothers don’t appear on the list.
MY COMMENTS*********************************************************
This article from the New York Times I found very interesting. It shows how Super rich people spend much of their wealth on political parties, functions and politicians. They are not your ordinary donors. They give millions in what they believe in. Their word carries a lot of weight and their money carries even more. You could probably lose an election if they supported another candidate on their money alone.
Of course there are campaign rules to follow concerning large donations. You could support hundreds of people in different states on their dollars. Separately the candidates would probably get the limit but the whole party itself would be well taken care of. Imagine not having to run out and raise money for a campaign because the millionaire or billionaire supporting you is taking care of all the bills? That to me would make the election much sweeter. Of course, is it legal? we will see. Each state has different rules.
No comments:
Post a Comment