D.C. disconnect: 400 fundraisers in 14 days
Democracy and Power 114: The Power Players
Who actually controls the force of government? The politicians and interest groups control the American political process. The politician seeks power. Special interest groups – big business, small business, unions, education, seniors, and a multitude of others – seek favors: tax breaks, subsidies, exclusive legislation, etc. Interest groups give enormous money to political campaigns, and receive gigantic benefits in return.
D.C. disconnect: 400 fundraisers in 14 days
Chris Frates in Politico reports on the “Great Cash Dash of 2010.”
Inside the Capitol, lawmakers are largely marking time by naming post offices and passing a resolution to keep the government running through the elections.
But outside the Capitol, in the private rooms of Washington’s top steakhouses, political clubs and Capitol Hill townhouse salons, there is an epic money grab underway, with more than 400 fundraisers for House candidates in the two weeks leading up to Friday’s congressional adjournment.
Call it the Great Cash Dash of 2010.
Republicans and Democrats find it easier to raise money in DC where all the special interest lobbyists are located. At home, in their districts, donations are less frequent and smaller.
Frates reports on the statement of a Republican lobbyist:
… called the money rush “very intense” but understandable, because most lawmakers stuck in Washington “can raise more money in D.C.” than in their home districts.
And a Democratic lobbyists said:
‘The only reason that Democrats would still be here is if you’re trying to raise money in Washington, you got to be in session to do it,”
Welcome to the DC sewer of corruption. All the power players participate in the mutually corrupting system of campaign contributions in exchange for favorable legislation.
ObamaCare made America aware of this blatant corruption. First, the administration made deals with big donors – pharmaceuticals, doctors, hospitals, AARP, insurers and others. All received very favorable legislation. Of course campaign contributions surged into the politicians’ coffers. This was followed with the buying of specific votes. Remember the Cornhusker kickback and the Louisiana Purchase. An informed America was outraged.
The only way to stop this corruption is to severely restrict federal power. McCain(R) / Feingold (D) had good intentions. Unfortunately, influence-money always hunts for and reaches the political powers.
Benjamin Franklin understood the relationship between special interests and the rulers, and the inherent danger to all forms of government. In a letter, Franklin warned his fellow delegates to the Constitutional Convention:
There will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able in return to give more to them. Hence as all history informs us, there has been in every State & Kingdom, a constant kind of warfare between the governing & governed: the one striving to obtain more for its support, and the other to pay less. And this has alone occasioned great convulsions, actual civil wars, ending either in dethroning of the Princes, or enslaving of the people. Generally indeed the ruling power carries its point, the revenues of princes constantly increasing, and we see that they are never satisfied, but always in want of more.
Realistically, only strict constitutional restraints on the powers of government, scrutinized by an active and organized electorate can halt this destructive abuse of power.
