Money in Politics Is a Crisis — And John Oliver Just Proved It

[Jefferson23]

Reversing Citizens United could take time, but there are clear steps Congress could take right now to reduce the massive influence of the wealthy.

By Nick Penniman | April 5, 2016

Let’s stop giving members of Congress a pass.

Here’s what I mean: While the media, and even the presidential candidates themselves, rail against super PACs, our democracy is being hollowed out by a problem that existed long before Citizens United — “hard money” fundraising by Congress.

Sunday night, on Last Week Tonight, show host John Oliver absolutely eviscerated Congress for members’ endless hard money fundraising — a member of Congress actually referred to it as torture.

Even if we abolished super PACs tomorrow we would do nothing to incentivize our elected leaders to talk to anyone other than the very wealthy.

Watch the whole clip above (it’s long, but it’s absolutely worth it).

http://billmoyers.com/story/money-in-politics-is-a-crisis-and-john-oliver-just-proved-it/

[arcane1]

1. I had no idea about the phone banks and cubicles. It's embarrassing n/t

[Jefferson23]

2. It's obscene and we need to confront it now. n/t

[immoderate]

3. And they can't afford to talk to the 'un-rich.'

--imm

[malthaussen]

4. We really should pay them minimum wage, then...

... isn't that what a normal peon gets who works in a call center?

-- Mal

[Jefferson23]

5. +1 lol n/t

[HuckleB]

6. K & R.