Reply With QuoteWhen buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators. - P. J. O'Rourke
Thieves generally prefer to operate secretly.Bernie Sanders Exposes the 26 Billionaires who are Buying the 2012 Election
By: Jason EasleyJuly 24th, 2012see more posts by Jason Easley
In his new report, America For Sale: A Report on Billionaires Buying the 2012 Election, Sen. Bernie Sanders named names and called out the billionaires who using Citizens United to buy our democracy.
In front of a Senate panel today, Sen. Bernie Sanders outed the 26 billionaires who are members of 23 billionaire families that are using Citizens United to buy elections. Sen. Sanders estimated that these 26 billionaires are the tip of the iceberg. “My guess is that number is really much greater because many of these contributions are made in secret. In other words, not content to own our economy, the 1 percent want to own our government as well.”
Sanders explained how the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision put the government up for sale, “What the Supreme Court did in Citizens United is to say to these same billionaires and the corporations they control: ‘You own and control the economy, you own Wall Street, you own the coal companies, you own the oil companies. Now, for a very small percentage of your wealth, we’re going to give you the opportunity to own the United States government.’”
Sen. Sanders also did the last thing the billionaires wanted. He called them out by name.
According to the report, America for Sale: A Report on Billionaires Buying the 2012 Election, here are the 26 billionaires who are trying to buy your government:
1). Sheldon Adelson, owner of the Las Vegas Sands Casino, is worth nearly $25 billion, making him the 14th wealthiest person in the world and the 7th richest person in America. While median family income plummeted by nearly 40% from 2007-2010, Mr. Adelson has experienced a nearly eightfold increase in his wealth over the past three years (from $3.4 billion to $24.9 billion). Forbes recently reported that Adelson is willing to spend a “limitless” amount of money or more than $100 million to help defeat President Obama in November.
2. The Kochs (David, Charles, and William) are worth a combined $103 billion, according to Forbes. They have pledged to spend about $400 million during the 2012 election season. The Kochs own more wealth than the bottom 41.7 percent of American households or more than 49 million Americans.
3. Jim Walton is worth $23.7 billion. He has donated $300,000 to super PACs in 2012.
4. Harold Simmons is worth $9 billion. He has donated $15.2 million to super PACs this year.
5. Peter Thiel is worth $1.5 billion. He has donated $6.7 million to Super PACs this year.
6. Jerrold Perenchio is worth $2.3 billion. He has donated $2.6 million to super PACs this year.
7. Kenneth Griffin is worth $3 billion and he has given $2.08 million to super PACs in 2012.
8. James Simons is worth $10.7 billion and he has given $1.5 million to super Pacs this year.
9. Julian Robertson is worth $2.5 billion and he has given $1.25 million to super PACs this year.
10. Robert Rowling is worth $4.8 billion and he has given $1.1 million to super PACs.
11. John Paulson, the hedge fund manager who made his fortune betting that the sub-prime mortgage market would collapse, is worth $12.5 billion. He has donated $1 million to super PACs.
12. Richard and J.W. Marriott are worth a combined $3.1 billion and they have donated $2 million to super PACs this year.
13. James Davis is worth $1.9 billion and he has given $1 million to super PACs this year.
14. Harold Hamm is worth $11 billion and he has given $985,000 to super PACs this year.
15. Kenny Trout is worth more than $1.2 billion and he has given $900,000 to super PACs this year.
16. Louis Bacon is worth $1.4 billion and he has given $500,000 to super PACs this year.
17. Bruce Kovner is worth $4.5 billion and he has given $500,000 to super PACs this year.
18. Warren Stephens is worth $2.7 billion and he has given $500,000 to super PACs this year.
19. David Tepper is worth $5.1 billion and he has given $375,000 to super PACs this year.
20. Samuel Zell is worth $4.9 billion and he has given $270,000 to super PACs this year.
21. Leslie Wexner is worth $4.3 billion and he has given $250,000 to super PACs this year.
22. Charles Schwab is worth $3.5 billion and he has given $250,000 to super PACs this year.
23. Kelcy Warren is worth $2.3 billion and he has given $250,000 to super PACs this year.
The thing that these billionaires love most about Citizens United it is that it allows them to operate in total darkness. The American people couldn’t fight back because the billionaires were giving their money anonymously. This same cloak of invisibility is what made ALEC so effective for years. The conservative billionaire cabal works best in private, behind closed doors, far away from curious eyes.
With his report today, Sen. Sanders has made it more difficult for thieves of liberty to keep operating in the night. We now have a list of names and we know what they are trying to do to our government. Sen. Sanders is one of the few federally elected officials who has the courage to talk about these people in public.
Most of the members of the House and Senate are too afraid to speak of, much less take on, the billionaires. Even those decent members of Congress who might speak out against them have been terrified into silence by threats of multimillion dollar negative ad buys that will run against the incumbent back home.
Bernie Sanders is displaying a brand of political courage that is sorely lacking in American politics today, and he needs you to stand with him to protect our liberties, our freedoms, and to battle to return the government back to the American people.
I wonder what the total price tag should be, for buying the US Congress? Probably something like eighty percent of congresspersons are already slaves to corporations and billionaires, with only a small number of others still truly representing the people who elected them. These billionaires could probably use sandpaper covered dildos on the congresspersons they've bought, and the congresspersons would squeal with delight.
This is where an awesome Mark Twain quote would be, but Apolyton says it would be too many lines. :(
When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators. - P. J. O'Rourke
"Just puttin on the foil" - Jeff Hanson
“In a democracy, I realize you don’t need to talk to the top leader to know how the country feels. When I go to a dictatorship, I only have to talk to one person and that’s the dictator, because he speaks for all the people.” - Jimmy Carter
Thatisn't necessarily true.
JM
Jon Miller-
I AM.CANADIAN
GENERATION 35: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social experiment.
if they're giving $$$ in secret, how does Bernie know and why is he violating their privacy?
Why is their 'worth' relevant? The amounts they donated, I can see, but not how much money they have in total.
Obvious class warfare piece is obvious.
"Flutie was better than Kelly, Elway, Esiason and Cunningham." - Ben Kenobi
"I have nothing against Wilson, but he's nowhere near the same calibre of QB as Flutie. Flutie threw for 5k+ yards in the CFL." -Ben Kenobi
Originally Posted by Berzerker
Because they can have a large effect on the government while only spending a tiny fraction of their immense wealth? Do you expect everyone to pretend these are just average joes who decided to pony up half a million dollars to donate to campaigns?
Fag thread starter, have any of those billionaires changed your vote? Why not?
Please don't call him that term. That's really bannable language.
"Flutie was better than Kelly, Elway, Esiason and Cunningham." - Ben Kenobi
"I have nothing against Wilson, but he's nowhere near the same calibre of QB as Flutie. Flutie threw for 5k+ yards in the CFL." -Ben Kenobi
I'd like to introduce you to Wiglaf. It seems you've never met him before.
I make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator Rubio
If he can call rich people thieves, I can call gay people fags.
They prefer Queens.
I make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator Rubio
Fag means cigarette anyway. The word was taken over by homosexuals, and now they suddenly act offended when I use the term? Makes no sense whatsoever, and is further evidence of the stupidity and arrogance of the gay agenda.
Speaking of which, gay used to mean "happy," and orgy meant "party."
Anyone here want to go to a gay orgy tonight with some fags
We have banned people for espousing racist views and using racist terminology. I would hope we would afford our homosexual posters the same respect to not be denigrated for their sexual orientation.
"Flutie was better than Kelly, Elway, Esiason and Cunningham." - Ben Kenobi
"I have nothing against Wilson, but he's nowhere near the same calibre of QB as Flutie. Flutie threw for 5k+ yards in the CFL." -Ben Kenobi
I think that orgy always had some sexual overtones attached to it.
"I say shoot'em all and let God sort it out in the end!
The Online Etymology Dictionary says you are correct, sir.
"Flutie was better than Kelly, Elway, Esiason and Cunningham." - Ben Kenobi
"I have nothing against Wilson, but he's nowhere near the same calibre of QB as Flutie. Flutie threw for 5k+ yards in the CFL." -Ben Kenobi
Explain to me the logic that allows slandering and denigrating people for their wealth and success but not their decision to stick their penis into another man's anus.
None of the rich people being denigrated post here?
"Flutie was better than Kelly, Elway, Esiason and Cunningham." - Ben Kenobi
"I have nothing against Wilson, but he's nowhere near the same calibre of QB as Flutie. Flutie threw for 5k+ yards in the CFL." -Ben Kenobi
I'm with Wiglaf.
If there is no sound in space, how come you can hear the lasers?
:(){ :|:& };:
MrFun exposes the fact that he prefers it when other people tell him what to think...
If there is no sound in space, how come you can hear the lasers?
:(){ :|:& };:
I'm rich. I've donated a lot to candidates. Does that make me a thief?
MrFun, just stop. Please.
“As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
"Capitalism ho!"
I hope you two will be very happy together. rosesmile.gif
There's nothing wrong with the dream, my friend, the problem lies with the dreamer.
They're already friends on Steam... oh la la
"Flutie was better than Kelly, Elway, Esiason and Cunningham." - Ben Kenobi
"I have nothing against Wilson, but he's nowhere near the same calibre of QB as Flutie. Flutie threw for 5k+ yards in the CFL." -Ben Kenobi
You go cruising on Steam? This explains a lot.
They aren't buying the government. Idiot/lazy voters are selling their votes (absurdly, for the opportunity to watch inane and misleading ads), and in doing so giving government to the rich. The 99% definitely gets the government we deserve (in aggregate).
"tout comprendre, c'est tout pardonner"
A few weeks ago, I ready that fewer than 200 sources account for 90% of superPAC money for this year's election.
I have no idea if that's documented or apochryphal. But if true, it doesn't sound very democratic in a nation of 300 million individuals.
We need more politicians like Bernie Sanders.
Apolyton's Grim Reaper 2008, 2010 & 2011
RIP lest we forget... SG (2) and LaFayette -- Civ2 Succession Games Brothers-in-Arms
Socialists?
I make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator Rubio
Intelligent, independent and forthright.
Apolyton's Grim Reaper 2008, 2010 & 2011
RIP lest we forget... SG (2) and LaFayette -- Civ2 Succession Games Brothers-in-Arms
So what? All they're doing is helping politicians get their message out. It's still up to the voters to actually decide who to elect.
If there is no sound in space, how come you can hear the lasers?
:(){ :|:& };:
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