Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"Politicians’ Extortion Racket"
Politicians Extortion RacketBy PETER SCHWEIZER at the New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/opinion/politicians-extortion-racket.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131022&_r=0
"SNIP.................................
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. WE have long assumed that the infestation of special interest money in Washington is at the root of so much that ails our politics. But what if weve had it wrong? What if instead of being bribed by wealthy interests, politicians are engaged in a form of legal extortion designed to extract campaign contributions?
Consider this: of the thousands of bills introduced in Congress each year, only roughly 5 percent become law. Why do legislators bother proposing so many bills? What if many of those bills are written not to be passed but to pressure people into forking over cash?
This is exactly what is happening. Politicians have developed a dizzying array of legislative tactics to bring in money.
Take the maneuver known inside the Beltway as the tollbooth. Here the speaker of the House or a powerful committee chairperson will create a procedural obstruction or postponement on the eve of an important vote. Campaign contributions are then implicitly solicited. If the tribute offered by those in favor of the bills passage is too small (or if the money from opponents is sufficiently high), the bill is delayed and does not proceed down the legislative highway.
................................SNIP"
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
7 replies, 863 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (5)
ReplyReply to this post
7 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Politicians’ Extortion Racket" (Original Post)
applegrove
Oct 2013
OP
No matter what we push for as American citizens. Campaign finance reform must come first. Media
okaawhatever
Oct 2013
#4
Cha
(297,352 posts)1. Mahalo applegrove!
applegrove
(118,711 posts)2. Bonsoir Cha!
Cha
(297,352 posts)3. And, bonsoir, to
you, too!
okaawhatever
(9,462 posts)4. No matter what we push for as American citizens. Campaign finance reform must come first. Media
regulation second. We will never win in the long term if billions can be poured into elections from the one percenters.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)5. Very interesting. k&r for exposure. n/t
-Laelth
polichick
(37,152 posts)6. Good discussion on NPR about this book today. k&r
polichick
(37,152 posts)7. Kicking again because thread didn't rise with my last post...
and this book offers some shocking but important info.