DARK MONEY TRIBES Displacing Political Parties

[Segami]

"..Citizens United has given rise to cabals of secret donors, supplanting the role of political parties in 2014..."

I'm pleased to announce that there is at least one liberal billionaire out there ready to spend big money to advance the cause of climate change. Actually, I'm not that pleased to announce it. Yes, I'm glad Tom Steyer is stepping up to defend a cause which shouldn't be liberal or conservative, but I'm also cognizant of the price that goes with it. As Nick Confessore says in this segment with Chris Hayes, dark money cabals are displacing political parties. At first blush that might sound like a good thing, but it's not if it means all future political agendas will be determined by fabulously wealthy people who may or may not give a damn about the rest of us.

David Firestone:

But it’s worth thinking twice before celebrating Mr. Steyer’s donation, which will make plutocracy politics even worse.

Big money pollutes politics whether it comes from the Koch brothers, with a hard-edged agenda against environmental or financial regulation, or from Mr. Steyer and his liberal friends. Either way, the donations enhance the ability of those with money to influence what the country is talking about, and how it votes.

In state after state, corporate executives and financiers are giving money to super PACs associated with Republican congressional candidates, prompting unions to contribute to Democratic super PACs. This arms race escalates every campaign cycle, producing a torrent of attack ads that make all candidates look like liars, cowards and thieves, increasing cynicism that keeps people away from the polls.

http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/18/liberal-donors-pollute-politics-too/?_php=true&_type=blogs&smid=tw-share&_r=0

There is one difference, though. Steyer is forthright about his effort to change the debate, rather than hiding behind secret corporations and non-profit organizations. For that, I congratulate him, but in the overall big picture, it's an escalation that threatens the foundations of our political system.





All In with Chris Hayes video segment:

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/02/dark-money-tribes-displacing-political

[Segami]

1. "...The pro-spending argument is a familiar one — as long as it’s legal,..

...why should the Kochs and others on the right be allowed to dominate these races with their anti-regulation argument? But Mr. Steyer’s money can’t begin to compete with the forces on the right. The Koch network alone raised $407 million in 2012, and pro-environment spending from the left will only prompt more from the vastly richer conservative forces.

The cacophony of attack ads, with their dire warnings and scary music, prompt many people to just hit the mute button or tune out entirely. Mr. Steyer may think he’s getting through to the masses with his criticism of the Keystone oil pipeline, but soon his ads, and his millions, will blend into the rest of the toxic sludge on television. You can’t fight pollution with more pollution..."

[tblue37]

2. And because so much of that money is shoveled in the direction of well-connected cronies

who own and run consulting firms and media empires, it doesn't even circulate widely in the general economy in a way that would increase hiring.

Instead it just circulates among the same tiny elite groups who are already making out like bandits because they are bandits.

[Segami]

3. A tiny and exclusive group of players.

And they no longer fear the sunlight like they once did.