Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, and the Money

[Uncle Joe]

Bernie Sanders has made the corrupting role of money in politics a centerpiece of his campaign. He has argued that because campaign contributions by the rich pay for political campaigns, they are able to control the political process. This gives us a political system that is very effective at serving Wall Street and the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. It is much less effective at serving the needs of ordinary people.

This has created an interesting dynamic in the race for the Democratic nomination. Secretary Clinton has flipped Sanders' claim around and challenged him to show where she has reversed a position to serve the moneyed interests. This might be a useful campaign tactic, but it misrepresents the way in which money affects campaigns.

Undoubtedly there are cases where an individual or industry group promises a large campaign contribution in exchange for a politician's support on a particular issue, but this is almost certainly rare. More typically the support of politicians for moneyed interests is part of a much longer process. It's not just that the politician wants to act to curry the favor of the rich and powerful, more typically they identify with the interests of the rich and powerful so that they don't even see themselves as compromising a principle.

Trade policy provides an excellent example. Over the last quarter century, the leadership of both political parties has consistently pushed trade deals that have worked against the interest of a large percentage of U.S. workers. This was not an accidental outcome from these deals, it was by design.

(snip)

Furthermore, even if they looked beyond their friends they could find media outlets like the Washington Post touting the virtues of "free trade." Never mind that these deals did nothing to reduce the barriers that protected highly paid professionals like doctors or lawyers or that they actually increased patent protection on drugs and other products. Since these forms of protectionism benefited the wealthy, the deals could still be called "free trade" pacts.

(snip)

If this sounds strange, let's imagine a slightly different scenario. Suppose Bernie Sanders had spent four years in President Obama's cabinet during which time he did everything he could to try to break up the big banks and have corporate criminals put behind bars. Does anyone believe Goldman Sachs would pay him $250,000 to recount his experiences?


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dean-baker/bernie-sanders-hillary-cl_b_9240084.html

[cantbeserious]

1. We Us Together - Vs - Me My Bank Account And I -- For The 99% - The Choice Is Clear

eom

[RiverLover]

2. This is what the word "revolution" means to me. Electing a President who isn't paid off

and will work for US Citizens, not solely US Corporations.

Why do you think we got NAFTA, or ushered China into the WTO, which gutted our middle class?

Do you think Bill Clinton did it for US Workers, or for the Big Money behind his campaign?

If he did for US, it was a massive failure. He did it to help his Moneyed Interests, and its paid off for him in spades.

2001-2015:
$153 million in Bill and Hillary Clinton speaking fees, documented
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/05/politics/hillary-clinton-bill-clinton-paid-speeches/

Do you think Hillary will work for campaign finance reform? Really?

Bernie will for sure.

[Uncle Joe]

3. No I don't believe Hillary will work for campaign finance reform, it's the system that she is

relying on to get the nomination and in turn possibly be elected.

Her financial backers would be against it because it diminishes their influence on future elections and in turn policy.

Peace to you, RiverlLover.

[RiverLover]

4. Back atcha Uncle Joe!!

And thanks for this OP.

We need to wake up & take DC back for the People & the Planet. There seems to be real momentum for this.

Articles like this help spread the message & get people thinking.

This is how the wealthy control the political process. The system makes it extremely difficult for those who challenge the policies that serve their interests to ever be heard. That is why it is inspiring to a see candidate like Senator Sanders get enough money and support to be a serious contender for the Democratic nomination, even without big money contributions.

When we actually see money being handed over to politicians from the wealthy, whether in the form of large speaking fees or a high-paying job, it is probably best to think of it as analogous to a valentine present. No one loves their spouse or significant other because of a generous valentine gift; rather it is a symbol of ongoing affection.

Love it!!

"Put People First" was Bills populist slogan to fool us into thinking he was actually a Democrat. What he did in office showed his conservative RW cards & screwed us over. We're still hurting because of it.

Its deeply disturbing that it might happen all over again. Unless more people wake up & look past the propaganda being hurled our way by the Clintons. Again.

GO Bernie!!!!!

[Uncle Joe]

5. I can't listen to the song "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow" the theme song used

at the 1992 Democratic Convention which nominated Bill without a sense of bitterness or loss.

Bill's and Hillary's self-serving actions did anything but "think about tomorrow" insofar as the Democratic Party and the nation were concerned.

[Dems to Win]

6. All elected Democrats want this truth to be kept under the rug

Bernie is breaking the unwritten rules of the game by talking about it.

Go Bernie Go

[RiverLover]

7. Yep. And its thrilling to see happen!

Thanks Bernie!!!