Robert Reich on campaign money: "Hundreds of millions" being "laundered through a handful of groups"

[ProSense]

The Perfect Storm

<...>

Which gets us to the second part of the perfect storm. A relatively few Americans are buying our democracy as never before. And they’re doing it completely in secret.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are pouring into advertisements for and against candidates — without a trace of where the dollars are coming from. They’re laundered through a handful of groups. Fred Maleck, whom you may remember as deputy director of Richard Nixon’s notorious Committee to Reelect the President (dubbed Creep in the Watergate scandal), is running one of them. Republican operative Karl Rove runs another. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a third.

The Supreme Court’s Citizens United vs. the Federal Election Commission made it possible. The Federal Election Commission says only 32 percent of groups paying for election ads are disclosing the names of their donors. By comparison, in the 2006 midterm, 97 percent disclosed; in 2008, almost half disclosed.

We’re back to the late 19th century when the lackeys of robber barons literally deposited sacks of cash on the desks of friendly legislators. The public never knew who was bribing whom.

Just before it recessed the House passed a bill that would require that the names of all such donors be publicly disclosed. But it couldn’t get through the Senate. Every Republican voted against it. (To see how far the GOP has come, nearly ten years ago campaign disclosure was supported by 48 of 54 Republican senators.)

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[leveymg]

1. Creeps, Crooks, Spooks, and Global Chambers of Corruption

Welcome to the early 21st Century version of American Empire in Collapse, the scariest ride in the world. Fasten your restraints, do not stick out your arms, legs, or wallets - you will lose them. The attendant will collect your watches, electronic devices, jewelry and other lose valuables. You will lose them, too.

We will launch in 5-4-3-2 . . .

[ProSense]

2. This deserves more exposure. n/t

[Parker CA]

3. Kick and Rec. 97% disclosure in 06 midterms. Unreal how fast that has decreased.

[Mimosa]

4. Reich is on target, as usual. n/t

[ProSense]

5. Think Progress on Malek

‘Unethical’ Nixon Campaign Vet Fred Malek Still Dodging Campaign Finance Laws

[bluethruandthru]

6. I'd like to see more stories about this on the nightly news instead

of story after story of sarah palin and her tea party express.

[GentryDixon]

7. Our Democracy is for sale and

most people cannot turn off the reality or sports programming to figure it out.

I am visiting the Portland/Vancouver area and the amount of negative Repub ads are 90% of what is shown on local programming. If I could vote here I would be turned off by the saturation of the money & power brokers, but alas, most sheep will follow the herd and vote Repub.

On a good note, I voted absentee before I left to come here, so my strong Democratic vote will be counted, whether it makes a difference in Utah or not.
I love that Jim Bennett endorsed Sam Granato, candidate for Bob Bennett's seat. Mike Lee, the tea party candidate who ousted Bob Bennett is so extreme he makes Michele Bachmann look somewhat sane.

[wiggs]

8. Agree 100%. Huge problems. The only bigger threats to democracy are Acorn, teachers,

immigrants, cash for clunkers, un-privatized social security and medicare accounts, teleprompters, unions, muslim community centers, black people committing voter fraud, and of course Barbara Boxer....according to 90% of talk radio and much of MSM.

9. Citizens United.....

...against the citizens.

[Jakes Progress]

10. Wonder what it would be like

if the president drafted legislation to override the SCOTUS decision. If it takes an amendment, I can't think of a better time for one. Then the congress could vote and let the public know just who they support - corporations or people - open honesty or back room secrets.

Now that's a public debate I would like to see. I know that most republicans are stupid as posts, but I would like to hear there politicians defend closed doors and secrecy.

[democracy1st]

11. K & R

[Hekate]

12. KnR