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.
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.
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.
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.”
“The recent Affordable Clean Energy rule gives states leeway to set their own greenhouse gas emissions targets, while also restricting what states can do to mandate improved efficiency from coal plants. The EPA's own analysis revealed, the new rule could deliver up to 1400 additional premature American deaths per year by 2030.”
Corruption and Louisiana Politics are almost synonyms. Louisiana's very long history of corruption is just accepted as status quo and often joked about instead of bringing the ire those from other states would expect. However, now with Louisiana at or the near the bottom of almost every measure of success, we have to change this.
The NFL has pounded a patriotism drum with their recent anti #TakeaKnee decision, however, we feel it's only makeitfair that the American people know the NFL is getting cash for these efforts.
In the dim light of the cloud hanging over the US today after yet another school shooting, we've decided to publish this discussion between our youth correspondent Leo Hochberg and student artist Kopano Muhammad. Kopano shares their insight, views, and experience around gun violence and people of color.
"New Orleans has struggled with an epidemic of gun violence. New Orleans officials want to move forward with sorely needed solutions to gun violence but Louisiana state law bars its municipalities from enacting smart legislation for the people by the people. The hands of the New Orleans City Council and its mayor are tied."
- SUSAN GUIDRY & JASON WILLIAMS
New Orleans City Council Members
It isn't just Facebook. Distraction is the rule in Public Relations and a must-have skill for Masters of Spin. Is Facebook being thrown to the wolves to protect ad dollars?
Digital media companies are shaking in their boots. Set to make over $83 Billion in digital ad revenue this year, keeping your criticisms aimed at Facebook, keeps your eyes off them. EVERY media company is doing this. What sites did you visit today? Guess what, they "mined your data".
Our Louisiana roads are amongst the worst in the nation. Repairs are already underfunded via a gas tax and we have no new plans for additional funding sources. So, what happens when electric vehicles are the norm? Does Louisiana become the Blockbuster video of states? With our current political system, it's almost impossible to get elected without Oil & Gas money and almost as soon as they are elected, our elected officials have to start raising money for their reelection. This version of graft stands in the way of any real solutions.
Does it ever feel as though your Representatives aren't listening to you? There's a reason. Unless you're one of their BIG money donors, they aren't. Our voices are drowned out by BIG money contributors and unless we change these laws, many of our homes will be too. One Person - One Vote. MakeItFair.US
Many factors played a role in this historic win in Alabama last night, however it wouldn't have happened without a lot of money. Jones raised more than twice as much as Moore. 91% of all elections are won by the candidate who raised the most money. Although it appears to have worked out in this situation, we need to make elections equitable for ALL American citizens all the time.
Join the Discussion: Make It Fair's Harmon Dash & Culinaria Director, Pepper Bowen. Food deserts, invasive species, environmental issues and toxins, diet change effects... all are multi-sided issues. Profit and loss, cultural considerations, protecting human and planetary health are just a few food industry factors. For food policy and culture, the "Butterfly Effect" is in full force. Also, not only has decades of marketing convinced many American's to eat against their own self-interest, but the American diet and appetites reach far beyond the dinner table and the scale. One thing is clear, there's no easy fix for businesses nor individuals and no solution which will make everyone happy. However, at this point is it about happiness or sustainability?
