Let me finish tonight with this dirty, angry money that’s begun polluting American politics.
Does it bother you that a farm full of the very rich can pour money into an election and get what they want? Does it tick you off that your little vote is like a sand flea compared to the millions these customers can spring when and where they decide?
It’s what happened in Wisconsin, and it’s become a gleaming model for what these people are now planning for November.
Seven to one. That’s how much Scott Walker, the Republican governor, outspent his Democratic critics. Seven to one! Thirty million to less than four million!
And look at the donors: Bob Perry of Texas, the homebuilder donated $490,000; Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate, Diane Hendricks, another wealthy donor: more than half a million!
Just regular people trying to do their bit, right? Regular people who hate the President and can’t wait for any chance to throw some money behind an attack ad. Thanks to the right-leading Supreme Court and its Citizens United ruling, they can spend all they want. And now they know they can get results. This election in Wisconsin this week, whatever you think of it, could have a huge impact on November. It’s going to teach all that dirty, angry money – all those people who love influencing America and American politics, all the while keeping themselves shy of the searchlight – they can get away with it. Wisconsin was a bad precedent, a bad example. It will encourage the wrong people to get involved in this election so they can spend any amount of money to defend their interests.
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