Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse used his time at the confirmation hearing for Judge Amy Coney Barrett to give a presentation about how "dark money" was playing a role in the Supreme Court nomination process.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's Presentation - A Make It Fair Break It Down
Last week Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island gave a 30-minute powerful pull-the-curtain-back presentation during his opening remarks at the Senate Amy Coney Barrett SCOTUS confirmation hearing. We highly recommend you set aside a half-hour of Netflix to watch his extraordinarily revealing testimony.
What's the gist? That since Citizens United became law, conservative activists have spent $250 million in a behind the scenes campaign to remake our courts. As Senator Whitehouse points out, "$250 million is a lot to spend if you're not getting anything for it". What did they get? They got 60 percent majority control while representing only about 30% of our country on our most hot button issues, ie., the ACA, Roe v. Wade, same-sex marriage, and voter suppression based on race.
Help us in the fight to end corruption in our political process...
For decades, but particularly since the Citizens United decision, megadonors and lobbyists for special interests have exercised far too much influence within U.S. politics. Megadonors fund those who are the most likely to do legislative favors for the businesses and industries that are the sources of their wealth.
Sadly, America is on the verge of being a full-fledged plutocratic oligarchy: just look at the widening wealth gaps. The middle class, which was the guiding force in our democratic republic, no longer has much political influence.
Massive amounts of money are spent on American political campaigns. According to Open Secrets, an election finance watchdog, a record $6.5 billion was spent during the 2016 election cycle and it's clear our 2020 election cycle will see a new record in spending.
Political candidates are forced to spend a minimum of 5 hours per day raising campaign dollars, which doesn't leave them much time listening to anyone who can't contribute to their coffers in a significant way. There is no other word for this than corruption.
Recently we've seen megadonors get the ultimate payoff for their contributions via a tax plan and deregulatory programs. It's time to take back our power via anti-corruption legislation. Join us in the movement by helping us spread the word.
What part of 'money in politics is corruption' don't we understand?
Lockheed Martin and Honeywell are just 2 examples of this everyday corruption and lack of fair play in our Government policy. Lockheed Martin was cited for 88 cases of misconduct and paid $767.8M in penalties since 1995, while Honeywell International Inc. paid $741.8M in penalties for 66 instances of misconduct since 1995. There doesn’t seem to be a limit of misconduct to keep contracts from being awarded to law/rule breakers NOR to keep politicians from accepting their money.
We often say, “Don’t hate the players - hate the game” and this is more evidence of just how broken our system is. This article points to high profile Democrats who are benefiting from these power structures. Make It Fair has long noted that the rules are written to force precisely these interactions and outcomes regardless of party. Sadly, the candidate with the most money wins 93% of the time. If a candidate in any competitive district doesn’t hop aboard the money train, they have very little chance of winning. As long as ‘money is voice’ in our political system, it’s clear we should expect corruption as the norm. Until we have legislation that controls money’s influence, we will not see justice and fair play.
Next time you feel frustrated about not being heard by your government representative, just whisper this little truth to yourself: “Oh yeah, the system is rigged.”
3 Years and it's the "same ole, same ole".
McConnell receiveth, then McConnell taketh away:
Take a moment to watch this episode of Vice’s SEAT AT THE TABLE WITH ANAND GIRIDHARADAS
In this episode, Anand Giriharadas highlights how in 1944, when Mitch McConnell was 2 years old, he was infected by the poliovirus. His family was of extremely limited means but was able to get McConnell the treatment he needed, thanks to the power of America's government, which provided access to healthcare for those in need. McConnell, himself, admits he most certainly would've succumbed to polio, as millions of others had, were it not for the treatment he received.
Fast forward to today, and McConnell's decades-long career, in the very same government that saved his life, is filled with a legacy which has transitioned our for the people, by the people government into a government which serves the wealthy at the (sometimes deadly) expense of all other citizens. He has been at the forefront of the movement to strip Americans of access to affordable healthcare, but sadly, we at Make It Fair wants you to note how our system of legalized bribery has rewarded his efforts.
Now we know what the price is for American health and safety transparency...
3 weeks ago, as New Orleans - and most of Louisiana - approached Mardi Gras weekend, when our social selves are even more social AND we invite millions of visitors to join us, Sen. Richard Burr was sharing, with his 6 figure donors, dire warnings of what our nation would soon be facing.
Well - at least now we know what it costs to get the truth and the protections which come with it, from our government.
Thank you Dr. King for the work you began
Super PACs Strike Again
Super PACs strike again. Because of the protections Super PACs were gifted, this type of corruption is rampant. The only reason this instance was discovered was because of an investigation into other campaign finance violations.
Also, although Super PACs are barred from coordinating with campaigns, a law impossible to monitor and therefore rarely followed, there is no limit on donations. Isn't this the perfect recipe for corruption?
Hurricanes, Water, And How Louisiana Can Stop Climate Change
As Congress considers lowering drug costs, pharma CEOs target key senators with campaign cash
What do tobacco, global warming, and corruption have in common?
You guessed it - disinformation campaigns.
When an industry’s profits or a political win is on the line, disinformation becomes the go-to marketing du jour. History (and detailed communications and records) has shown the despicable degree to which the tobacco industry went to market away the fact they were killing people for profits, up to and including marketing to children, because the earlier the addiction begins, the harder it is to break. Sadly, even physicians and scientists were paid, disinformation performers. Over the last couple of decades, we’ve seen the same tactics successfully used in the US by big energy to spread misinformation about global warming. Politicians who receive giant big energy donations, regularly help the disinformation caused by sticking to the “I’m not a scientist” script while ignoring the 97% of scientists who agree global warming is the greatest threat our planet currently faces.
The Gun Industry's Tangled Web of Money Over Lives
For links to donate to the EL PASO SHOOTING VICTIMS' FUND and/or the DAYTON OREGON DISTRICT TRAGEDY FUND go to https://pittsburghfoundation.org/elpaso-dayton-shootings
Here's a searchable version of the redacted Mueller Report
Louisiana AND America Purchase(d)
When Colin Kaepernick decided to use his celebrity and the NFL audience to take a stand (or knee) to peacefully protest with a goal of awareness towards the Black Lives Matter movement and the disproportionate number of black people killed in the US by police officers, many viewed this as disrespectful to his employer. Blogs and tweets were filled with Kaepernick opposers who used the narrative that they couldn’t use their job for social resistance and/or a political stance, so neither should he. This may be a valid point, but does this same rule apply to our employers and to those we chose to give our hard earned money in exchange for goods and services?… (read more)
Here's why our system is broken...
Don't be fooled. This just isn't enough. Candidates aren't leaving that much on the table. That's not how PAC's work.
“I don’t believe democracy should be for sale to billionaires and giant corporations,”
PAC’s donate very little to candidates. Instead, PAC money is spent against their perceived opponents and for or against their preferred policy. Let’s take it a step further and demand our candidates support policy like The American Anti-Corruption Act.
In this Mother Jones article, Nihal Krishan points out just how little candidates give up when they take this spin-meister stance.
“I don’t believe democracy should be for sale to billionaires and giant corporations,”
What can we do to make Louisiana a State Anthony Davis would be proud to call home.
As Tim Morris of The Times Picayune points out in this article, we, here in Louisiana, are at or near the bottom of every quality of life index. Join us, at Make It Fair, in getting the word out about legislation like The American Anti Corruption Act, so we can elevate Louisiana and make it a state Anthony Davis can be proud to call home...
"Maybe we should think of it as building a Louisiana that Anthony Davis could be proud to stay in."
Are we better off on this 9th anniversary of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling?
New Orleanians Ask For An End To The Government Shutdown
President Trump visited our city and he was met with protesters demanding an end to the government shutdown.
Long before Donald Trump was elected as our 45th president, protests were becoming more of a regular occurrence. After Barack Obama's election, we regularly saw Tea Party members holding signs on street corners in cities across the country. Why are we taking to the streets? Why the need to chant loudly with a crowd and hold signs for all to see? Could it be because we know it's the only way we'll be heard by our government "representatives"?
We the people are becoming more and more aware that only giant monied interests are represented in our current political system. The current shutdown is another example. A definitive majority of Americans are against this shutdown - AND - the wall, yet we're being ignored. The claim by this administration? It's a national security issue and we need a "steel" wall. HMMM? Steel? Oh yeah, the steel industry was giant supporters of the GOP and Mr. Trump's campaigns. Terrorists come in through airports, not the Mexican border. If it was about National Security, we wouldn't leave those responsible for protecting our airport traffic unpaid, bitter, anxious, and angry.