Americans are sick and tired of their voices being drowned out by monetary interests

Monday, November 07, 2016 by: J. D. Heyes
Tags: special interests, big money donors, elections

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(NaturalNews) At some point in our recent history it became more important to American corporations and the politicians that collude with them to concentrate on global markets rather than simply serving domestic interests first, and frankly. This is evidenced by the rise of GOP presidential nominee Donald J. Trump, the outsider's outsider. It seems very clear, Americans are getting fed up.

As reported by The Associated Press the current presidential election cycle demonstrates clearly that voters are more disgusted than ever at the way political races are being financed: Disproportionately by big-money interests, especially those who stand to win or lose based on government actions.

Making things worse, the AP noted further, is the blatant lack of transparency that is enshrined in the law. The rules allow these major donors to hide their identities by giving money to political non-profit groups that are not required to file detailed paperwork disclosing their financial connections.

Such a corrupt, secretive system understandably leaves ordinary Americans with the belief – correctly – that they don't matter and that things are rigged against them.

Americans are tired of being ignored because of money

The AP noted one example of how that happens: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton headlined more closed-door fundraisers in August than there were days in the month. That left her campaign with a record amount of money, but she didn't spend much time with voters.

Because voters are not her focus. Money is.

And while donors are necessary because they help pay for an increasingly expensive bill for presidential campaigns (that, in and of itself, is a problem), they should not be the dominant theme of a campaign – especially when most of the focus goes to a relative few donors with deep pockets and business interests at stake.

Thus far, donors have contributed more than $1.7 billion into presidential candidates' races, the AP noted, according to an analysis of election and advertising records. That is an astonishing amount of money.

What's equally astonishing – and disturbing – is that outside special interest groups that don't face contribution limits account for some 33 percent, or nearly one-third, of that amazing total. And money has been pouring into those groups at an alarming rate, making American government the best that money can buy.

Ever since the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United case, big money interests including corporations and labor unions have been able to contribute unlimited amounts to political action committees that side with one candidate or another.

That ruling, along with subsequent court decisions and regulatory changes, have made it clear that wealthy donors are free to give as much money as they want, as long as the candidates themselves are not controlling how the money is spent.

That is enough to make some candidates – and more than a few Americans – say they are ready to flush the entire campaign finance system and start over.

Trump is the only presidential nominee with any credibility on this issue

Both candidates have said they want to address this issue of too much money in politics. But only one of them has any real credibility.

For her part, Clinton has said she would like to get "unaccountable money out of politics." She has pledged to overturn the Citizens United court decision, which she cannot do as president, but which she could accomplish if she were able to put enough like-minded judges on federal courts and in the Supreme Court. She has also said she would propose a constitutional amendment to address the issue, but amending the founding document is extremely difficult.

Plus, there is no evidence she's serious. Recently leaked documents from WikiLeaks demonstrate fully that she is in it for the money, period, to enrich herself and her family "foundation."

Trump, by comparison, has funded most of his campaign himself, and while he has sought out some big donors, they are not likely to be influential in his policy making, as he is the consummate outsider.

What is certain, however, is that more Americans than ever are sick and tired of the current system as it stands, with politicians and presidents content to bend to the will of the donor who has the fattest wallet.

Sources:

Union-Bulletin.com