You scratch my back...
Recently, I found this list of contributing Political Action Committees (PACs) during the 2005-2006 fiscal year. These PAC 'donations' go to various House leaders and Committee Chairs in exchange for legislative support. Oddly enough, this practice is legal and has existed for a long time.
What disturbs me is that this whole thing demonstrates how these rich donors play a significant role in shaping public policy. By paying substantial amounts of money to politicians, corporations and rich individuals have been able to gain direct access to political representatives and lobby effectively for their causes. Inversely, low-income and poor people who do not offer financial contributions don't have the same opportunity to have their voices heard.
This list of PACs only proves that (1) we need money to buy Democracy and (2) only certain interests are really being served by Congress.
- ACL
5 "Insiders" spoke their mind. Join in...:
Hey Andre,
Nice site, as you know, I am a fan of your writing. One point on PAC's though, they also include such groups as Moveon PAC,Democrats for America, N.O.W., Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, NAACP, and a whole host of Enviromental groups and union groups. Money will ALWAYS influence politics. The recent Campaign Finance restructing by McCain/Feinstein only made them all even richer. Thanks to 527's this year is on track to beat all records. But I get your point, democracy shouldn't be for sale. H.C.
good point, thehc:
Liberals are always complaining about lobbyist groups when they don't serve THEIR interests. It's so hypocritical.
@ thehc: Thanks for your post. I agree that PACs come in all different forms. But, your final point summed up my argument. Political affliliation aside, I have a problem with the idea that money dictates policy.
Is it a wonder that so many people are against lobby reform?!
By the way, if you are who I THINK you are...I can't find your blog. I did a search on it to no avail...
@ anonymous: Look. For the last time...I'm NOT a liberal. I only voted for Kerry because he was the 'other white meat'. I hate to use the line, but I'm 'middle of the road'. I'm liberal on some things (admittedly, on MANY things) but I have a pretty conservative mind when it comes to other things.
Frankly, it's the ones who are undisputed with their affliations that scare me...
I agree. Anybody who is strictly Democrat or strictly Republican makes me think that they would blindly following a party whether they agree with the issue or not.
Scary.
Hey Ron!
Been a while. Welcome back...
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