Let's assume that there are ten industries, nah, go with 20 industries that would be willing to invest $45,000 a year. That would be $1.8 million a year per senate seat. Thirty three or thirty four senators run for office every two years. Do the numbers and you get about $1.5 million if each one gets $45 thousand, or if there were 20 different industries giving that kind of money, a paltry $30 million.
In 2015-2016, OpenSecrets reports that $770 million was given to all senate candidates. That's why I say $30 million is a paltry sum-- when it comes to buying senators. It really shows how little it takes to buy a senator, persuading him or her to betray constituents. OpenSecrets reports that individuals gave $586 million to senate campaigns, almost 20 times more than a reasonable speculation of donations by the biggest 20 industries.
These senators sell out even though their constituents carry most of the weight for their campaign funding.
It's time we end this chronic abuse. One step is to let constituents know they are being betrayed-- and that they have options to elect candidates who care about them.
We need to take back the Democratic party from the bottom up-- running in local elections to be committee persons, so when state leaders are elected, they are elected by people who reflect the interests of the 99 percent.
Let's be clear. I do not believe that major change happens through the electoral process. Working on electoral politics alone will not produce major change. But I still believe that it is worth investing some time in it. We also need to be active in supporting protests, boycotts and the like.
Meanwhile, sign up with the Facebook Group I created:
Take Back the Democratic Party.
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