How money controls corrupt and un-corrupt politicians alike

[cthulu2016]

"Here is money, do my bidding" is only one level of the thing.

"Do my bidding or I will pay to have you ousted," is more the driver these days.

And that is an insidious driver because it may be easily rationalized as moral to play ball enough to stay in office in order to do whatever good one does or rationalizes that one does.

It is not that most Dems are actively corrupt. I find the usual "he received $8,000 from telecom employees!" sort of argument pretty unimpressive as explaining why someone supports what they support.

It is an entire culture of fear of the entirety of the powers that be deciding to take an interest in your removal. Not just Republican types, but the whole "what is good for business" aparatus.

It is more stick than carrot. People who don't play some minimal level of ball get whacked. (Or that is the perception... it works out the same in effect.)

[enough]

1. This is one of the chief reasons why Roberts' justification is so patently false. (nt)

[Maedhros]

2. The more insidious effect:

One can't base one's campaign on what the voters want. In order to get out one's message, one needs an exorbitant amount of money to purchase advertising. One can't get exorbitant amounts of money unless one convinces the person/corporation with the money to give it to you.

Thus, campaigns are based on what appeals to big donors.

[cthulu2016]

3. .

[Fumesucker]

4. I think the bias is as much cultural as it has to do with money

Congressmen and Senators simply do not hang with the 99%, their peers are the 1% or more correctly the .01% and that's who they are attuned to listen to, the Very Serious People.

Take away the money and that cultural bias will still be around.