SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
A joint analysis by Demos and US PIRG released today takes a detailed look at the increasing (and deleterious) impact that so-called Super PACs are having on elections in the United States. Super PACs are independent political action committees that can accept unlimited and often undisclosed financial contributions from donors to campaign for or against candidates or issues during an election.
A joint analysis by Demos and US PIRG released today takes a detailed look at the increasing (and deleterious) impact that so-called Super PACs are having on elections in the United States. Super PACs are independent political action committees that can accept unlimited and often undisclosed financial contributions from donors to campaign for or against candidates or issues during an election.
The analysis, Auctioning Democracy: The Rise of Super PACs and the 2012 Election, concludes "that Super PACs are truly kryptonite for" democracy in the United States, and "undermine basic principles of citizen sovereignty and political equality, and can rob voters of the chance to evaluate political messages in light of the messenger."
In a statement released with the report co-authors Blair Bowie and Adam Lioz claim their findings, "confirm that Super PACs represent much of what is wrong with American democracy rolled neatly into one package: they provide a convenient avenue for for-profit businesses and wealthy donors to dominate the political process with a flood of sometimes secret cash."
The report's core findings:
And Politico, looking at the analysis, reports on the individual giving of wealthy individuals to Super PACs:
A relatively few wealthy backers are keeping super PACs afloat -- and they're saying so. Last year alone, individuals gave super PACs $63 million.
That includes 15 people who gave $1 million or more, such as DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, who gave $2 million to Priorities USA Action, the super PAC supporting President Barack Obama, and John Paulson, a hedge fund billionaire who gave $1 million to a super PAC supporting Mitt Romney's GOP presidential campaign, according to FEC reports.
The figures don't even include the $10 million that Adelson and his wife gave from their personal accounts to the super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich's GOP presidential campaign after the year-end FEC reports.
Giving from a personal account, rather than a corporate or non-profit account, is seen as a way for wealthy corporate types to shield their business interests from the controversy that such mega-donations can bring.
* * *
Obama Urges His Donors to Support Priorities USA, the largest pro-Obama Super PAC
The Los Angeles Times reports:
President Obama's decision to endorse a "super PAC" working on his behalf will test the devotion of his top contributors, who have yet to match the massive sums pouring into such groups allied with Republican presidential challengers.
In asking his top fundraisers to steer money to the main super PAC backing his reelection, Obama embraced a campaign vehicle he spent the last two years castigating -- potentially undermining his efforts to cast himself as a reformer.
Liberals and political reform advocates on Tuesday denounced his decision to allow campaign officials and Cabinet members to headline fundraisers for Priorities USA Action.
It remains to be seen whether Democratic contributors will make the mammoth donations that have fueled the GOP-allied super PACs, such as the $8.6 million Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons and his company gave last year to groups such as American Crossroads.
# # #
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
A joint analysis by Demos and US PIRG released today takes a detailed look at the increasing (and deleterious) impact that so-called Super PACs are having on elections in the United States. Super PACs are independent political action committees that can accept unlimited and often undisclosed financial contributions from donors to campaign for or against candidates or issues during an election.
The analysis, Auctioning Democracy: The Rise of Super PACs and the 2012 Election, concludes "that Super PACs are truly kryptonite for" democracy in the United States, and "undermine basic principles of citizen sovereignty and political equality, and can rob voters of the chance to evaluate political messages in light of the messenger."
In a statement released with the report co-authors Blair Bowie and Adam Lioz claim their findings, "confirm that Super PACs represent much of what is wrong with American democracy rolled neatly into one package: they provide a convenient avenue for for-profit businesses and wealthy donors to dominate the political process with a flood of sometimes secret cash."
The report's core findings:
And Politico, looking at the analysis, reports on the individual giving of wealthy individuals to Super PACs:
A relatively few wealthy backers are keeping super PACs afloat -- and they're saying so. Last year alone, individuals gave super PACs $63 million.
That includes 15 people who gave $1 million or more, such as DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, who gave $2 million to Priorities USA Action, the super PAC supporting President Barack Obama, and John Paulson, a hedge fund billionaire who gave $1 million to a super PAC supporting Mitt Romney's GOP presidential campaign, according to FEC reports.
The figures don't even include the $10 million that Adelson and his wife gave from their personal accounts to the super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich's GOP presidential campaign after the year-end FEC reports.
Giving from a personal account, rather than a corporate or non-profit account, is seen as a way for wealthy corporate types to shield their business interests from the controversy that such mega-donations can bring.
* * *
Obama Urges His Donors to Support Priorities USA, the largest pro-Obama Super PAC
The Los Angeles Times reports:
President Obama's decision to endorse a "super PAC" working on his behalf will test the devotion of his top contributors, who have yet to match the massive sums pouring into such groups allied with Republican presidential challengers.
In asking his top fundraisers to steer money to the main super PAC backing his reelection, Obama embraced a campaign vehicle he spent the last two years castigating -- potentially undermining his efforts to cast himself as a reformer.
Liberals and political reform advocates on Tuesday denounced his decision to allow campaign officials and Cabinet members to headline fundraisers for Priorities USA Action.
It remains to be seen whether Democratic contributors will make the mammoth donations that have fueled the GOP-allied super PACs, such as the $8.6 million Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons and his company gave last year to groups such as American Crossroads.
# # #
A joint analysis by Demos and US PIRG released today takes a detailed look at the increasing (and deleterious) impact that so-called Super PACs are having on elections in the United States. Super PACs are independent political action committees that can accept unlimited and often undisclosed financial contributions from donors to campaign for or against candidates or issues during an election.
The analysis, Auctioning Democracy: The Rise of Super PACs and the 2012 Election, concludes "that Super PACs are truly kryptonite for" democracy in the United States, and "undermine basic principles of citizen sovereignty and political equality, and can rob voters of the chance to evaluate political messages in light of the messenger."
In a statement released with the report co-authors Blair Bowie and Adam Lioz claim their findings, "confirm that Super PACs represent much of what is wrong with American democracy rolled neatly into one package: they provide a convenient avenue for for-profit businesses and wealthy donors to dominate the political process with a flood of sometimes secret cash."
The report's core findings:
And Politico, looking at the analysis, reports on the individual giving of wealthy individuals to Super PACs:
A relatively few wealthy backers are keeping super PACs afloat -- and they're saying so. Last year alone, individuals gave super PACs $63 million.
That includes 15 people who gave $1 million or more, such as DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, who gave $2 million to Priorities USA Action, the super PAC supporting President Barack Obama, and John Paulson, a hedge fund billionaire who gave $1 million to a super PAC supporting Mitt Romney's GOP presidential campaign, according to FEC reports.
The figures don't even include the $10 million that Adelson and his wife gave from their personal accounts to the super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich's GOP presidential campaign after the year-end FEC reports.
Giving from a personal account, rather than a corporate or non-profit account, is seen as a way for wealthy corporate types to shield their business interests from the controversy that such mega-donations can bring.
* * *
Obama Urges His Donors to Support Priorities USA, the largest pro-Obama Super PAC
The Los Angeles Times reports:
President Obama's decision to endorse a "super PAC" working on his behalf will test the devotion of his top contributors, who have yet to match the massive sums pouring into such groups allied with Republican presidential challengers.
In asking his top fundraisers to steer money to the main super PAC backing his reelection, Obama embraced a campaign vehicle he spent the last two years castigating -- potentially undermining his efforts to cast himself as a reformer.
Liberals and political reform advocates on Tuesday denounced his decision to allow campaign officials and Cabinet members to headline fundraisers for Priorities USA Action.
It remains to be seen whether Democratic contributors will make the mammoth donations that have fueled the GOP-allied super PACs, such as the $8.6 million Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons and his company gave last year to groups such as American Crossroads.
# # #