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The shameless spectacle of billionaires drowning the airwaves should not numb us to the consequences of what is at stake if the super rich succeed in buying our elections.
While most of the national focus is on the Presidential race and some high profile Senate elections, the less profiled California ballot measures provide a disturbing portrait of what of a clearly broken system.
California Propositions 32 and 33 in particular and the onslaught of secretive political action committees that hide the names of their rich sponsors, are just the latest example of the parade of billionaires who seem to think our votes are just another entitlement of their wealth.
Behind the torrent of spending is a dangerous agenda, for the future of our democracy and the last remaining shred of belief that everyone has an equal voice in our political system, but also for our health and living standards.
Their goal in California - which they see as a model for their national agenda - is removing all obstacles in public oversight to the pursuit of higher profit for the corporations they lead and greater wealth for the lavish lifestyles they enjoy.
That means silencing opposition to their program, eliminating regulations that protect public health, and putting in office candidates who will promote their legislative wish list.
What happens if they have a free pass?
Prop. 32 donors, who incredulously claim they want to "stop special interest" domination of elections, is a veritable rogues' gallery lineup of this phenomenon. Among them:
Then there is George Joseph, architect of Prop. 33, a deceptive bid to raise auto insurance rates. Joseph is the billionaire founder of Mercury Insurance.
As the Los Angeles Times noted, Joseph "has personally contributed 99.5% of the $16.2 million raised by Proposition 33's official sponsor, the American Agents Alliance, a trade group of independent insurance agents and brokers."
Multiply these by hundreds of the super rich and their super secret political committees with hidden donors and the threat to the core of our democracy and the safeguards and the way of life for those not among the 1 percent comes into focus.
This election let's send a message that we had an uprising in this nation once to send a message that our country did not belong to an aristocracy, and we will not accept their corrupted vision of our republic.
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. |
The shameless spectacle of billionaires drowning the airwaves should not numb us to the consequences of what is at stake if the super rich succeed in buying our elections.
While most of the national focus is on the Presidential race and some high profile Senate elections, the less profiled California ballot measures provide a disturbing portrait of what of a clearly broken system.
California Propositions 32 and 33 in particular and the onslaught of secretive political action committees that hide the names of their rich sponsors, are just the latest example of the parade of billionaires who seem to think our votes are just another entitlement of their wealth.
Behind the torrent of spending is a dangerous agenda, for the future of our democracy and the last remaining shred of belief that everyone has an equal voice in our political system, but also for our health and living standards.
Their goal in California - which they see as a model for their national agenda - is removing all obstacles in public oversight to the pursuit of higher profit for the corporations they lead and greater wealth for the lavish lifestyles they enjoy.
That means silencing opposition to their program, eliminating regulations that protect public health, and putting in office candidates who will promote their legislative wish list.
What happens if they have a free pass?
Prop. 32 donors, who incredulously claim they want to "stop special interest" domination of elections, is a veritable rogues' gallery lineup of this phenomenon. Among them:
Then there is George Joseph, architect of Prop. 33, a deceptive bid to raise auto insurance rates. Joseph is the billionaire founder of Mercury Insurance.
As the Los Angeles Times noted, Joseph "has personally contributed 99.5% of the $16.2 million raised by Proposition 33's official sponsor, the American Agents Alliance, a trade group of independent insurance agents and brokers."
Multiply these by hundreds of the super rich and their super secret political committees with hidden donors and the threat to the core of our democracy and the safeguards and the way of life for those not among the 1 percent comes into focus.
This election let's send a message that we had an uprising in this nation once to send a message that our country did not belong to an aristocracy, and we will not accept their corrupted vision of our republic.
The shameless spectacle of billionaires drowning the airwaves should not numb us to the consequences of what is at stake if the super rich succeed in buying our elections.
While most of the national focus is on the Presidential race and some high profile Senate elections, the less profiled California ballot measures provide a disturbing portrait of what of a clearly broken system.
California Propositions 32 and 33 in particular and the onslaught of secretive political action committees that hide the names of their rich sponsors, are just the latest example of the parade of billionaires who seem to think our votes are just another entitlement of their wealth.
Behind the torrent of spending is a dangerous agenda, for the future of our democracy and the last remaining shred of belief that everyone has an equal voice in our political system, but also for our health and living standards.
Their goal in California - which they see as a model for their national agenda - is removing all obstacles in public oversight to the pursuit of higher profit for the corporations they lead and greater wealth for the lavish lifestyles they enjoy.
That means silencing opposition to their program, eliminating regulations that protect public health, and putting in office candidates who will promote their legislative wish list.
What happens if they have a free pass?
Prop. 32 donors, who incredulously claim they want to "stop special interest" domination of elections, is a veritable rogues' gallery lineup of this phenomenon. Among them:
Then there is George Joseph, architect of Prop. 33, a deceptive bid to raise auto insurance rates. Joseph is the billionaire founder of Mercury Insurance.
As the Los Angeles Times noted, Joseph "has personally contributed 99.5% of the $16.2 million raised by Proposition 33's official sponsor, the American Agents Alliance, a trade group of independent insurance agents and brokers."
Multiply these by hundreds of the super rich and their super secret political committees with hidden donors and the threat to the core of our democracy and the safeguards and the way of life for those not among the 1 percent comes into focus.
This election let's send a message that we had an uprising in this nation once to send a message that our country did not belong to an aristocracy, and we will not accept their corrupted vision of our republic.