Why I think that anyone who takes big corporate $$$$ is corrupt.

[cali]

The fact is that big donations grant access to politicians. And it couldn't be clearer that access plus the clout of money equals influence. That's just unavoidable in this screwed up system of ours.

Just think how much corruption we could get rid of if we had publicly financed campaigns. Our system promotes corruption and destroys the democratic process.

[NCTraveler]

1. Which candidate are unions overwhelming supporting with money and endorsements?

Does their big money gain access? Does it gain them influence?

Yes, congress needs to rewrite campaign finance laws. How long has Sanders been in congress?

PS Sanders takes corporate money. Shhhhh. I'm sure his is "good" corporate money. lol.

Clinton gets more because she is going to win. People like a winner. Politics 101. Fact is Clinton is outraising Sanders with almost every single group on the left.

[Scuba]

2. Unions represent their members. Corporations represent their stockholders (maybe only one person).

Big, big difference.

[NCTraveler]

3. Agree. Now you might want to answer the question.

"Unions represent their members. Corporations represent their stockholders (maybe only one person)."

Who are unions overwhelmingly endorsing? Who is their money mainly going to?

[Dawgs]

16. The one candidate that's guaranteed to lose in the GE.

Makes no sense.

[NCTraveler]

17. I will ask again.

Who are unions overwhelmingly endorsing? Who is their money mainly going to?

[Dawgs]

18. Like I said, Hillary.

The one candidate that is guaranteed to lose in the GE.

[NCTraveler]

19. That's right. Clinton is getting a majority of union endorsements and money. Thanks.

I plan on working of Clinton in the General. My crystal ball doesn't seem to be as tuned in as yours. lol.

It is tuned in enough for me to make a pretty good guess that Clinton will win the primary. Thanks Dawgs!!!!!

[closeupready]

9. Unions are overwhelmingly liberal and Democratic.

So that is NOT where a Democratic candidate for President should be giving heightened scrutiny.

[NCTraveler]

11. Strongly disagree for just the reason you outline.

We should absolutely be talking about who the "overwhelmingly liberal and Democratic" constituencies are supporting.

[closeupready]

12. We're at an impasse then. Not giving an inch on that.

[NCTraveler]

14. I understand. Discussing who "liberal and democratic" constituency support isn't your thing.

It is mine.

[99th_Monkey]

4. Funny you should say that

i just posted on another OP mostly decrying mega-media consolidation, and got this
from a Clinton supporter:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7479548

I guess we 'little people' are supposed to 'keep in our place and STFU' and just be happy we
still have BERNIE2016TV and Facebook.

[cali]

6. Lol. Perfect.

I'd say more re that post, but one doesn't really need to.

[bigwillq]

5. I find it hard to believe that Bernie, if he wins the nomination

Would not take corporate cash. If he wants to win, it's likely that he has to.

I like Bernie a lot, and plan on voting for him, but I am also a realist.

[Bleacher Creature]

22. No question at all in my mind.

If Sanders wins the nomination, and gets a look at the actual numbers involved in going up against the GOP, his opposition to corporate cash and super PACs will miraculously vanish.

I wish we lived in an age when $25 and $50 individual contributions could fund a viable campaign, but that's not the reality of the world we live in today.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Taking that kind of money certainly puts the lie to any talk of campaign finance reform by them.

[Sheepshank]

8. but you don't mean Unions (that are also corporations)...right?

multi millions of dollars wrapped up in unions. It's ok of Bernie takes some of that money?

shouldn't there be qualifiers to your statement?

How about Planned Parenthood & Teacher/Educator Associations (you do realize they are all established as corporations or LLC's)

[Bluenorthwest]

23. That's what people like Rush say about Big Money influence 'oh, the Unions are the same as GE!!'

Not only are you wrong it is not even original. Boring Reagan era Union busting retread.

[Sheepshank]

24. Just pointing out that lumping all corporations together is inaccurate

and a false narrative.

Unions, Planned Parenthood, Boys and Girls Club, United Way,....all are types of corporations and I assume that broad brush stroke wasn't intended for all corporations.

[seabeyond]

10. Hence a politician. Check out where Sanders got his $ for congressional run.

[Bluenorthwest]

25. Arch impllcations and suggestions are usually employed by disonest brokers.

nt

[seabeyond]

27. Ah, calling out my moral compass for the fourth time?

[Gregorian]

13. Bernie wants to break the cycle.

The system was perverted for profit. Reagan repealed the Fairness Doctrine to ensure people who didn't know, would remain ignorant.

Perpetuating the cycle because it's how things are done, is reprehensible.

[randome]

15. Define 'big'.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Aspire to inspire.[/center][/font][hr]

[JoePhilly]

26. Little corporate money is ok apparently.

But absolutely no BIG corporate dollars!!!!

[Enthusiast]

20. Kicked and recommended to the Max!

[jhart3333]

21. Kicked and recced. Thank you

[Snarkoleptic]

28. Here's more on why we need public financing of elections...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/01/14/the-most-depressing-graphic-for-members-of-congress/

The Huffington Post secured this slide from a PowerPoint presentation to incoming freshmen by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The slide supposedly lays out the optimum schedule for a new member of Congress. It's depressing:

"Call time" is not time spent calling your family, or think tank experts, or ordinary constituents. It's time spent calling donors. Strategic outreach is, of course, also time you can spend with donors, and if your constituent visits include constituents who are donors, then all the better!

When we worry about money in politics, we tend to worry about a system that's akin to bribery. That happens, but it's rarer then you might think. Typically, politicians raise money from interests they're already relatively aligned with. Money brings the legislator and his benefactor closer into alignment, and it certainly helps concentrate a politician's attention on issues they might otherwise have ignored, but it's uncommon for a sack of cash to flip a vote outright.

[Vattel]

30. +1000

[Segami]

29. kick

[raouldukelives]

31. Some take the idea of democracy for all people seriously, some invest in Wall St. nt