Do our votes really mean anything with Dark Money, SuperPACs, And The Forbes 400?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:27:20 -0400

Do our votes really mean anything with Dark Money, SuperPACs, And The Forbes 400?

The relationship between power and money is undeniable. The cost of running a successful presidential campaign has ballooned, with 2012′s presidential election standing at a record-shattering $2.6 billion. Some expect that number will be topped this cycle. Yet current regulation and the Supreme Court have set the rules against transparency, meaning the ultra-wealthy, most of which can be found in the pages of the latest issue of Forbes (or online here), can use their checkbooks as they like while responding to no one.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/afontevecchia/2015/10/02/the-koch-brothers-paradox-dark-money-superpacs-and-the-forbes-400/

If there’s any group in the position to move big money toward candidates and causes in the 2016 election, it’s the richest 400 Americans. One of the most politically active of that group, Charles Koch, told Forbes in an exclusive interview that the extended network of political organizations he and his brother control will spend $900 million to influence U.S. policy this presidential cycle, with some $300 million channeled directly into the race for the White House. Yet, when FORBES tallied the publicly available numbers for what the members of The Forbes 400 have made in political donations in 2015, the total was $60.5 million – a drop in the ocean. Together, brothers Charles and David Koch have donated a relatively paltry sum of $32,345 so far –at least publicly.

As we parsed data on political giving ahead of the release Tuesday of The Forbes 400, we found several patterns. First, the era of the SuperPAC and unlimited donations is among us; giving to these organizations dwarf anything directly donated to individual candidates, or even their parties. Second, the so-called “dark money” is where the action is, but because such donations don’t have to be disclosed, they are impossible to track.

Data from the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics’ (which runs the Open Secrets website) shows that at least 53%, or 213 billionaires from the The Forbes 400 made political donations this cycle. The five biggest political givers handed out more than $3 million apiece. Kelcy Warren topped the charts of publicly disclosed donations with $6.1 million (to a PAC for Rick Perry, who’s dropped out), followed by Diane Hendricks ($5.1 million to Scott Walker, who’s also dropped out), Paul Singer ($3.45 million), Oracle ORCL +0.00%’s Larry Ellison ($3.04 million), and Houston Texans owner Robert McNair ($3.03 million). The Koch brothers were nowhere near the top, while the controversial George Soros stood at ninth place, with a relatively meager $2.1 million donated this cycle. When compared to the $6.3 billion spent in the 2012 election, which secured President Obama a second term and the $2.34 trillion in combined net worth for the The Forbes 400, the political giving numbers this year seem awfully small. ( See this article for more on The Forbes 400 members who made the biggest political donations so far this year.)

The Koch Brothers Paradox: Dark Money, SuperPACs, And The Forbes 400

The era of the large, dark donor is among us, as billionaire members of the Forbes 400 spend even greater amounts to influence politics, and the White House, in increasingly obscure ways.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 2 at 2015 12:28 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:28:08 -0400

Hopefully our individual votes will continue to mean something COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
I am certain that votes mean more in local elections than national elections.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 2 at 2015 12:31 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:31:46 -0400

State elections, yes. National, no. The electoral college is more relevant then, and they are not legally obligated to adhere to the popular vote. They are beholden only to the check signers...

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 12:32 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:32:15 -0400

Of course mean everything. There is enough "crazy" Tea party house member and senator now due to just vote alone. Do you think the established GOP what them in their rank? The thought they can use money to drown them in the primary ... but it turn out they failed big time. Then they thought they can corrupt them, and noticeable Tea Party representatives did "changed", but there is still enough remain. That is why the in fighting in GOP for such a long time. Our vote do matter.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 12:51 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:51:40 -0400

They do matter, but they are swayed by all of the things you are mentioning. The votes still matter, they can just be bought...

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 2 at 2015 1:02 PM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 13:02:21 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Votes don't mean anything anyway, with the Electoral College. But the things you list make it worse.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 1:09 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 13:09:46 -0400

It is quite absurd and absolutely ignominious that money has been allowed to decimate the wishes of popular electorates in the once globally-dubbed "best democracy". Any form of lobbying is tantamount to corruption, plain and simple. For our democracy to retain its lofty ideals and appeal to sound logic as the epitome of best form of governance, something quite drastic has to be done to reform political funding. Otherwise, the present paradigm is symbolic for the popular axiom "He who pays the piper dictates the tune."

Response by SFC Joseph McCausland made Oct 2 at 2015 1:43 PM

SFC Joseph McCausland — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 13:43:08 -0400

Our votes do matter.. Have we forgotten what happened in Florida with the "hanging chads"?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 2 at 2015 1:49 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 13:49:46 -0400

Unless you are willing to be a multi-billionaires whore, your name can not be placed on the ballot. The flow of information (media) is controlled by the mega-elite already in power. They will let you know who is to be built up/knocked down and keep us at each other's throats. The only thing keeping our 'elite' from turning the little guy into 'soylent green' is the 2nd Amendment.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Oct 2 at 2015 2:44 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 14:44:16 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs the sad answer is no, our votes do not matter. There is too much big money. There is too much greed. There is too much pandering. There is not enough service. There is not enough caring about the American People. There is not enough reading of the U.S. Constitution.

I am a firm believer that we need to do away with the two party system. I am a firm believer that the amount of money that can legally be spent on a campaign be limited. I think that the money should come from private citizens, never a corporation or PAC. I think that it should be capped at $5,000 per registered voter, with a 100% tax penalty on every dollar above the $5,000. I believe that the amount raised through donation should be matched with public funds up to a cap of $1,000.000. I believe that media outlets should be able to donate on air time, and that time should be able to be tax deducted based on the cost of the time in advertising dollars. I believe that any attack add should require a bibliography detailing where the information upon which the add is being made is based. I think that attack adds should be taxed at 100% based on the cost of the time in advertising dollars. I don't want to hear why the other guy is an asshole. I know you think the other guy is an asshole, otherwise you wouldn't be opposing them. I want you to tell me what your good qualities are. I also think that anyone caught violating the election law should be required to register as such. They should have their right to vote, and to run for office stripped. That is just me though.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 2 at 2015 3:29 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 15:29:32 -0400

I never completely understood "electoral vote" you can have way more votes through out each state, but the person with the most electoral vote wins. Seriously doesn't make sense to me....Maybe way back when ....when our country was young....we didn't have as many states this system was implemented and it made sense...but now?!?! I think our voting system should be changed...and it should be the one with the MOST VOTES WINS!

Also, I have always felt that the ENORMOUS COST of running for office is ridiculous. With what is spent by each candidate could put a dent in paying down our deficit...or go towards helping the needy...the poor...the sick.....but NOOOOOOO it goes to TV ads, traveling/hotel/food/ bumper stickers etc.... SUCH A WASTE of MONEY....

Ok...so I got a little off track. LOL No, I do not feel my vote counts as long as the one with the most electoral votes wins.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 4:01 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 16:01:19 -0400

Wow, such a cynical conversation.

Do we really want to abandon the system that protects the small rurals areas from a large vote of the city? Has there been any elections won by the electoral college changing the vote of the state?

The system we have tends to assure that those wanting office can not ignore the rural areas and only pander to the cities.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Oct 3 at 2015 6:37 PM

COL Ted Mc — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 18:37:36 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Mikel; Until they change the electoral laws so that the person who raises the most money gets elected the individual voters' votes will still count.

[LATE THOUGHT] - Maybe the solution would be to subtract the number of dollars spent from the votes received in order to determine the winner. Of course that would mean that most people would end up being elected with negative numbers, but what the heck that's no more ludicrous than some other electoral systems.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 6 at 2015 7:59 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 07:59:07 -0400

Perhaps someone who is much smarter than I am can explain how that is even legal?

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/citizens.shtml

Citizens' Guide

The purpose of this guide is to encourage citizens, like yourself, to take an active part in the Federal election process. There are several ways you may support Federal candidates and political committees involved in Federal elections. These activities, however, are subject to the Federal campaign finance law. For example, the law limits the amount of money you may contribute and prohibits certain people and organizations from making...

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Mar 8 at 2016 11:31 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 23:31:13 -0500

If money controls elections, what happened to Jeb Bush?

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Mar 9 at 2016 8:13 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:13:02 -0500

Were the little man here it will take a thousand of our vote to equal one of there's. Money always talk.

Response by SGT David Emme made Mar 12 at 2016 10:02 AM

SGT David Emme — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 10:02:39 -0500

Our democracy has been bought and paid for. We no longer have a Democracy but a Plutocracy which will eventually turn into an Oligarchy. If ever a time to exercise one of our few freedoms to vote it is now! It is a sad day when our country started with the words “We the people” when the people became corporations and not actual people. Often times we do not understand a corporation is a legal entity created between government and a business in order to conduct business not subject to the same laws ordinary citizens are subjected to! If you think about it, the positions our politicians take are the positions the billionaire class takes. They are no longer politicians but agents of the rich! If you think the rich love America, they love America as far as they can squeeze a buck from us, we the people. Money is the root of all evil! Corporations and the billionaire class have become the carpetbaggers who preyed on the south after the civil war except it is our entire country they are preying upon. America-the greatest democracy money can buy!

Response by PO1 Kerry French made Mar 12 at 2016 2:44 PM

PO1 Kerry French — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 14:44:35 -0500

This question mixes two separate questions.
First of all, everyone needs to understand that we are NOT a “democracy”. We are a republic. In Article 4, Section 4 of our Constitution, we are guaranteed a republican form of government. If you do not know the difference, here is a great video explaining it: https://youtu.be/klm6yZxDmJc

Secondly, does our vote count? That depends on how you define it. If you want your vote to count as to who the nominee of each party is then you have to understand the caucus system. Delegates are elected by the people who show up to their respective caucus in each precinct of each district in each state.

In my state, the Democrats are going with a straight caucus system so if you don’t go to the Democrat caucus, you will not have the opportunity to vote for a delegate or be one yourself. The Republicans are doing a hybrid system of delegates being awarded to a candidate based on the primary results. A candidate must get over 20% to get any delegates. If a candidate gets over 50% in a Congressional district then the candidate will get all of the delegates. If no one gets over 50% in the primary then the delegates are awarded proportionately, 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place. We also have some automatic delegates, our state party chair, the state committeeman and committeewoman. The remaining delegates are chosen by the other delegates who go to the state convention.

THESE are the people who will pick the nominee! Then on to the general election… You will be voting for a party’s electoral delegates – NOT the candidate themselves. The electors are usually party officials or very loyal party people. It has been this way from the beginning. Go look up Article 2, Section 1. George Washington knew that political parties would be a horrible idea and I agree with him, however, that is basically the system we have. Oh there are tons of other parties… but take a look at what percentage they get and you will see that they have no real chance of getting elected.

Now – the question of money… The Federal Election Commission has very strict rules about how much anyone can give to a candidate. The maximum that any person or Political Action Committee (PAC) can give in a federal election is $5400 per person or PAC. So a married couple or PAC can give a total of $10,800. If they own a business or a trust, then they could give another $5400 but that is it.

When you are talking about SuperPACs giving millions – you do not understand independent expenditures. IE’s are expenditures that are done WITHOUT any coordination between them and the candidate (it is against the law) and the SuperPAC can spend unlimited amounts on advertising or phone banking or doorbelling that the candidate cannot knowingly participate in. This is where the unions have been so successful and that is why they are super pissed that Citizen’s United was ruled favorably and why they have been fighting it and demonizing it. It now levels the playing field.

Having said all that, the only entity that can give an unlimited amount directly to the candidate is the party of the candidate. Donors can give as much as they want and the respective party can give as much as they want to the candidate.

I strongly believe that every veteran here complaining about the election system is probably not involved in anyway other than complaining. Have you doorbelled for a candidate? Have you made phone calls for your candidate? Have you given even $10 to your candidate? Only 7% of Americans give and even less volunteer. If you want to make the system better I challenge all of you who are here complaining, get involved with your local party and make it better. Make the veteran voice HEARD!!

I am a Legislative District Chair and while I am not a huge fan of the party system, it is what it is and we have to get involved to KEEP OUR REPUBLIC!

Basic Forms of Government - The Political Spectrum

From far left to far right and in between.. basic forms of government.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2016 3:22 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 15:22:43 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs At this point, "no". Political posturing and pre-selected candidates, makes on wonder.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2016 5:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 17:52:23 -0400

No, it's all fixed. I thought everyone knew that? Lol.

Response by MCPO David Louden made Mar 14 at 2016 10:39 AM

MCPO David Louden — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 10:39:16 -0400

Colonel, I chosse to believe that our votes do matter. My concern is the PsyOps propaganda and social manipulation of our brethren and sister citizens. I recently posted a recall recommendation on a compilation of issues entitled, The Case Against the Global Economy - And for a Return to the Local, edited by Mander and Goldsmith. The book speaks resoundingly to the issues of today. Yet, it was published in 1996. Well worth a trip to the library to find and check out.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 14 at 2016 5:40 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 17:40:59 -0400

If they went by popular vote only, not the idiots at the electoral college, things would probably be the way their suppose to be. The electoral college must be paid off for their votes.

Response by MAJ Michael Pauling made Mar 14 at 2016 6:48 PM

MAJ Michael Pauling — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 18:48:04 -0400

one tree in a group of trees can make the group be seen as a forest..................