Can right wing billionaires be prevented from interfering in our political process?

[orangecrush]

Is there any realistic path to keeping the likes of the Mercers and Kochs from wreaking mayhem in our political system?

I realize it'a a problem that goes back to the gilded age.

If my understanding of history is correct, Teddy Roosevelt out the brakes on people like this for a while.

Is anything likely to be done now that Democrats are back in power, or should I not hold my breath?


It has been done before, against all odds.


https://theconversation.com/amp/fighting-words-for-a-new-gilded-age-democratic-candidates-are-sounding-a-lot-like-teddy-roosevelt-119423

[Yeehah]

1. Not since the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United

That ridiculous decision gave the country over to the billionaires.

[orangecrush]

2. It has been done before

Against similar odds.




https://theconversation.com/amp/fighting-words-for-a-new-gilded-age-democratic-candidates-are-sounding-a-lot-like-teddy-roosevelt-119423

[Hermit-The-Prog]

3. Yes, but it requires a SCOTUS instead of a SCROTUS.

The current Sick Corrupted Radicals Of The U.S. interprets the Constitution in favor of radical religious ideologues and money. We need a Supreme Court that is not dangerously tilted toward corporations, billionaires, and tv preachers.

[spanone]

4. Limit contributions / Eliminate citizens united

[thucythucy]

5. Yes--bring back the progressive income tax we had under FDR, Truman and Eisnenhower.

That would soak up a lot of the cash they have to throw into the system.

And bring back an inheritance tax that was meant to limit the ability of the super rich to pass on the majority of their wealth, creating a princely class that feels entitled to rule the planet.

In addition, raise the cap on Social Security payroll taxes.

All this would "drain the swamp" of mega-wealth, inject much needed capital for investments in the common good (education, infrastructure, green economy, medical care), save Social Security, and balance the budget.

All this could be done with no need to bring in the Supreme Court.

Oh, and go back to enforcing and even strengthening our anti-trust laws.

Do all that and you'd see an entirely different political landscape.

[Midnight Writer]

6. And take away tax exemptions for non-profit groups that engage in political influencing

Enforce current IRS rules that determine the extent by which non-profits can engage in politics. Currently enforcement is very lax.