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DebJ

(7,699 posts)

11. Wow! It's old farts like my husband and I!

Sat Jul 26, 2014, 12:21 AM

Jul 2014

etired: Background

Which industry contributes the most to federal candidates and political committees? Defense contractors? Oil and gas companies? Financial firms and investment banks? Pharmaceutical companies? Lawyers?

Wrong.

The top industry isn't really an "industry" at all, but individuals who list their occupation as "retired" in federal documents.

Retired individuals contributed nearly $279 million to federal-level candidates and political committees during the 2008 campaign cycle, more than any other "industry." Despite the stereotype that older people are more conservative, the contributions were just about split evenly between Democrats and the GOP.

In 2008, presidential candidate Barack Obama received nearly $43 million from retirees, while his opponent John McCain received $32.7 million. Retired individuals were the top contributing "industry" to McCain's campaign, and second only to lawyers for Obama's campaign.

https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/background.php?cycle=2014&ind=W06

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Highlight:

Teenager Codes Browser Extension That Exposes Corruption in Congress [View all] octoberlib Jul 2014 OP

Very clever, very helpful. Adding now - that teen will hopefully have a bright future! /nt Dragonfli Jul 2014 #1

I just downloaded it and used it. It's awesome! octoberlib Jul 2014 #2

Awesome. wtmusic Jul 2014 #3

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #4

Thanks for the kick Uncle Joe! octoberlib Jul 2014 #6

What does the category 'Retired' mean? DebJ Jul 2014 #5

I was wondering the same thing. Let me research. octoberlib Jul 2014 #7

Found it on opensecrets.org octoberlib Jul 2014 #9

Wow! It's old farts like my husband and I! DebJ Jul 2014 #11

This is a good thing. You'd think the GOP would be a little more octoberlib Jul 2014 #12

They don't have to be since they are getting about 1/2 of the contributions. But DebJ Jul 2014 #15

See in the popup box at the bottom right where it says "OpenSecrets.org"? If you DebJ Jul 2014 #8

A concerned 7th grader. I have hope for America! mountain grammy Jul 2014 #10

Me too! octoberlib Jul 2014 #13

It's too late. The money is increasingly being hidden. nt cprise Jul 2014 #14

K&R!!! Gotta love ingenuity! I believe the PTB will find away around it, but not before this Dustlawyer Jul 2014 #16

An app to get people off their asses would come in real handy,lol octoberlib Jul 2014 #17

I hope you can help get our protests off the ground! It will be helpful if it just turns the Dustlawyer Jul 2014 #18

Very cool! progressoid Jul 2014 #19

k&r for exposure. n/t Laelth Jul 2014 #20

Kudos to Nicholas! snagglepuss Jul 2014 #21