Bernie Sanders on why he voted NO for fillibuster reform

[Demo_Chris]

39. When Goldman, or Exxon, or UnitedHealth give money...

To both Democrats and Republicans it is under the assumption that both parties will do as they are told. And you have to put the wealth and power of these corporations into perspective. The government does not tell them what to do, they tell the governments of the world what they will do. Let's consider:

UnitedHealth Group is one of America's largest health insurance providers. They are just one company, and one a good many people reading this have likely never heard of. Their NET earnings last year, after bonuses and purchases and every trick in the book to offset their profits, was just over 5 BILLION dollars.

One company of dozens.

Every four years we elect a President. The total spending on the Presidential election this year was 2.6 billion (both parties combined). Once every four years the two parties drop the "epic" cash for the big game. Over that same four year period, UnitedHealth will net 20 billion in profits. UnitedHealth ALONE could fund the entire Presidential campaigns for both parties, and it would only cost them about 13% of their net profits.

Of course, UnitedHealth doesn't have to do this. They could, they would never even notice the missing cash, but they don't have to. They have corporate allies. The banks, other health providers, energy companies, defence companies, all kicking in what amounts to pennies, and yet all easily outspending anything the people might dream of spending themselves. Want to know why we are stil at war, still spending 600 BILLION a year on defense? Ask Lockheed, with almost 50 billion in sales in 2011. Want to know why Obamacare was nothing but a guaranteed profit and welfare program for insurance companies? Ask UnitedHealth or Wellpoint. Want to know why the bankers are getting cash and White House jobs instead of subpeonas? Ask Goldman Sachs, a company that ended 2012 with 7.5 billion in net income and 900 billion in assets. Want to know why the Oil Companies can do anything they damn well like? Let ExxonMobile explain it to you.

They earned 41 BILLION in profits last year. That's the net, after taxes and bonuses and expenses.

And no, none of them can possibly afford even one fucking penny more in taxes. Nor can they afford any regulations. Can't afford healthcare. But they can afford to buy the government, and they do.

The two parties are not fighting over policy. Exxon and Goldman and Lockheed tell them what that's going to be. They are fighting for the chance to earn their little slice of the pie. If they are good boys and play along they get to be junior members of the club. If they don't they're gone.