Robert Reich: The Secret Big Money Takeover of America

[Better Believe It]

The Secret Big Money Takeover of America
By Robert Reich
October 7, 2010

Not only is income and wealth in America more concentrated in fewer hands than it’s been in 80 years, but those hands are buying our democracy as never before – and they’re doing it behind closed doors.

Hundreds of millions of secret dollars are pouring into congressional and state races in this election cycle. The Koch brothers (whose personal fortunes grew by $5 billion last year) appear to be behind some of it, Karl Rove has rounded up other multi-millionaires to fund right-wing candidates, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is funneling corporate dollars from around the world into congressional races, and Rupert Murdoch is evidently spending heavily.

No one knows for sure where this flood of money is coming from because it’s all secret.

But you can safely assume its purpose is not to help America’s stranded middle class, working class, and poor. It’s to pad the nests of the rich, stop all reform, and deregulate big corporations and Wall Street – already more powerful than since the late 19th century when the lackeys of robber barons literally deposited sacks of cash on the desks of friendly legislators.

Please read the full article at:

http://robertreich.org/post/1263581986

[stopbush]

1. What secret?

[BadGimp]

7. exac ry - what f@*&#)!g secret is he talking about?

[socialist_n_TN]

8. Well it's probably a "secret" to the masses............

who don't pay attention to politics but once every 4 years.

I guess it's encouraging in a dark, left handed sort of way, that somebody like Reich who's been in the loop would actually go public with it. It's gotten pretty bad.

[Uncle Joe]

12. I agree, it's secret in a corporate media stealth coverage way.

This issue, the selling of our nation's democracy; such as it is, should be dominating news coverage front and center, leading every news cast whether by television or radio and front page coverage in every newspaper until it's changed.

The damage being done to the nation will be cumulative as this situation stays in effect, absolute corrupt/incompetence will be enabled in to power as the American People will be easier to brain wash in regards to the critical issues and choices facing them.

[malaise]

9. Correct -Citicorp

made this public ages ago.

[OHdem10]

2. Not much of a secret, I would say. Downright openly obscene.

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. we're fucked

n/t

[aquart]

4. No man should be so rich he has nothing left to buy but his government.

[FiveGoodMen]

5. Amen to that!

[smiley]

6. Is this a quote from something?

sounds very familiar. In any case, if it is only yours would you mind if I repost on some of my other message boards? I think they are words that say a lot. Thanks!

[aquart]

15. It's all mine. Repost away.

If it's familiar, it may be because I've been saying it for a while.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

10. # 6

Support Public Financing of Elections!

Should be #1 in my opinion

[felix_numinous]

11. Secret, covert, sneaky, underhanded, dirty tricks, illegal, criminal....

[TBF]

13. Secret? Only to those who exclusively watch "FOX". nt

[Flubadubya]

14. Reich is right... the big money takeover of America IS secret...

As he says, "Hundreds of millions of secret dollars are pouring into congressional and state races in this election cycle."

The fact that the origin of the money (influence) can (and will) remain unknown is the meaning of SECRET. Pretty simple, really. :shrug:

Thanks BushCo and the Rightwing Roberts Supreme Court! :puke: