from Robert Reich re: labor v corp campaign contributions

[elleng]

I’m in Washington, DC today. I just attended a conference where someone asserted that union political contributions “balance” contributions from big corporations and the wealthy, so there's no reason to be concerned about the latter. Baloney. Here are the facts: In the 2012 elections, the Koch brothers’ political network alone spent more than $400 million -- more than twice the political spending of the ten largest labor unions put together. In 2012, corporations spent $56 on lobbying for every dollar spent by labor unions. Not even Democratic candidates rely nearly as much on labor unions to finance their campaigns as they do on wealthy individuals. In 2012, the richest .01 percent of households gave Democratic candidates more than four times what unions contributed to Democratic campaigns.

There's no longer any balance in American politics. American workers no longer have a voice. Countervailing power has been eliminated. Money coming from big corporations and billionaires is drowning our democracy. The very first step for reform is to get big money out of politics.

Know the real facts, and share them.

https://www.facebook.com/RBReich?fref=nf

[SamKnause]

1. I know.

It always makes me sick when they equate union

political contributions with those of big corporations and the wealthy elites.

The main stream media should be so very proud of the state this country is in.

They had a big hand in the destruction of this country.

They have lied, evaded, and twisted the truth beyond recognition.

If only all of the bought and paid politicians had been attacked repeatedly for their lies.

This country is done.

Our politicians have sold us to the highest bidder.

The TPP will be the final nail in the coffin.

It will be all downhill from here.