January 22, 2015 5:45 AM

If you want "one man, one vote," open your checkbook...and start paying attention

We have reached a tipping point where mega donors completely dominate the landscape. The 100 largest donors in the 2014 cycle gave almost as much money to candidates as the 4.75 million people who gave $200 or less (and certainly that number goes from “almost” to “more” if we could include contributions that are not required by law to be disclosed). Think about this for a minute. This is consequential. It means that candidates running for office are genuflecting before an audience of 100 wealthy individuals to fuel their campaigns. So, whose bidding do we think these candidates are going to do? Is it any wonder that the interests of large corporations and unions get to the front of the line?

We’ve all heard a lot of crying and moaning about the corrupting influence of money in politics. There’s no doubt but that “one man, one vote” has been reduced to a quaint notion…but what does that really mean? How thoroughly corrupt and out of whack is our democracy? What if the American Experiment really is in danger of becoming an oligarchy, a system which caters to the super-wealthy and allows them and only them to accrue even more wealth?

What if we’ve reached that point?

What if we’ve arrived at a place where the richest among us are able to purchase the government that best serves their interests?

It’s now possible to credibly argue that American politics are largely controlled by 100 people- the largest donors in the 2014 election cycle…and that our votes are merely commodities available to the highest bidder.

This is what happens when Americans stop paying attention (or even caring) what’s being done in their name and who’s appealing to their fears and prejudices.

Supporters of the system believe that the $3.67 billion we spent on elections last cycle isn’t really all that much money. An Arkansas poultry company owner and big time political donor, Ronnie Cameron, reflected to Vogel that it’s not so different today than it’s been in the past when, “Our country was founded by the wealthy landowners having the authority and representing all the people.”

He said that out loud. To a reporter. Knowing other people might read those words. Without any apparent irony. Imagine all the poor Americans who will sleep better knowing that a rich Southern chicken farmer is happy to represent their interests.

Imagine all the Americans who could frankly care less…and that’s exactly the problem. Sure, there are those like myself who are frankly alarmed at the current state of corruption and venality extant in American politics. The vast majority of Americans simply can’t be bothered to acknowledge that their country is being hijacked by those willing to put their vast sums of money where their beliefs lie. American politics wouldn’t be for sale if Americans stood up for themselves and their country.

I can’t even bemoan the fact that evil Conservatives with a self-interested agenda are attempting to remake the political landscape. There’s certainly an element of that in play, but this is a case where both sides of the ideological fence really are playing the same game.

Liberal Democrats like to blow their bugles about how all the big money in politics comes from rich Republicans. Actually, as Vogel points out, 52 of the 100 top donors are Democrats, and the No. 1 donor by far is Democrat Tom Steyer, who chipped in $74 million.

At least we’ve achieved some bipartisanship somewhere in our political ecosphere. Both parties are now equal opportunity offenders when it comes to gaming the system.

This is a problem that spans the normally vast ideological chasm that separates Left from Right in American politics. This is something that should be of concern to EVERY American…because we’ve acquiesced to the current state of affairs through our inattention and lack of interest in what’s being done in our name by those we elect to represent us.

Nice work, America; we have EXACTLY the quality of leadership we deserve- corrupt, venal, and as inept as the day is long.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on January 22, 2015 5:45 AM.

Thomas Paine on what happens when you argue with someone who watches Fox News Channel was the previous entry in this blog.

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