As working people most of us realize that money and special interest groups have been successful in corrupting our political process. Here are some interesting facts, figures, and statements.
1. The United States Constitution says it is "We the People", not "We the Corporations".
2. Sheldon Adelson, a casino owner from Las Vegas, personally spent $98 million on Republican candidates in 2012.
3. Also in 2012, fewer than 200 Americans - just 0.000063% of the population - contributed 80% of all Super PAC donations.
4. Of the top 100 contributors in 2012 only 11 were women.
5. The percentage of spending coming from groups that aren't required to disclose their donors rose from 1% to 47% between the 2006 mid-term elections and the 2010 mid-term elections.
6. 72% of political advertising by outside groups in 2010 came from scources that were prohibited from election spending in 2006.
7. In 2010 the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent $31 million in electioneering communications without disclosing any of the donors.
8. In 2013 spending on congressional races topped $3.6 billion - the largest amount ever.
9. The top 32 Super PAC donors gave an average of $9.9 million each in 2012.
10. Because of Citizens United, Congress and the states are prohibited from issuing a quantitative limit on independent expenditures or on contributions to independent election spending entities.
11. Also under Citizens United registered "social welfare" nonprofit groups can spend limitlessly to influence elections.
12. The Koch Brothers political network hopes to spend $889 million in the 2016 election.
13. The 2012 election cycle cost $6.3 billion.
14. Wall Street lobbyists spent $1 million in one day to try and keep the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from getting off the ground, and continue to bankroll efforts to weaken financial regulations and privatize Social Security.
15. 47% of members of the 112th Congress were millionaires who could spend without limit on their own campaign.
All of the figures above come from People for the American Way. Their website is located at www.pfaw.org.
Stayed tuned for further updates on how our political system is broke and corrupted by the rich and special interests.
Terry Grant, President OPWU AFL-CIO
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