'That's Oligarchy,' Says Sanders as Billionaires Pump Cash Into Trump Campaign

[Uncle Joe]

"We must overturn the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision and move to public funding of elections," said Sen. Bernie Sanders.

(snip)

The Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision spurred the creation of super PACs that can spend unlimited sums in support or opposition to federal candidates, as long as they don't coordinate directly with campaigns—a restriction that is often flouted in practice. Polling has shown that strong cross-partisan majorities in the U.S. support imposing limits on money in politics.

"Citizens United is among the worst decisions in history," former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich wrote Wednesday, pointing to the new campaign finance filings. "It corrupts our system every day."

(snip)

In addition to Sanders, Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) called for the overturning of the 2010 decision as the 2024 election shapes up to be the most expensive in U.S. history, fueled by massive spending by big donor-funded super PACs.

According to the watchdogs OpenSecrets and RepresentUS, "the top 1% of donors accounted for 99.1% of all the money raised by super PACs and hybrid PACs" in the 2024 election cycle through September 22.

(snip)

https://www.commondreams.org/news/bernie-sanders-citizens-united

[Walleye]

1. He plans to cut their taxes more so they will give him more next time

[Uncle Joe]

2. If *rump comes to power, I don't believe there will be a next time.

Russia had an oligarchy up until Putin came to power, and their extreme wealth disparity contributed to his rise as they grew disillusioned with democracy.

[slightlv]

3. I'm afraid his "walls"

are going to end up keeping us IN this country, rather than keeping immigrants out. Most of us won't be able to live here if he's put into office. Not only economically, but on various refugee status programs, as well.

[Uncle Joe]

4. I agree, the walls are just a tangible first step way of of concretely distinguishing "the other," and with

*rump speaking about bringing in the military against his political opponents; while labeling them as enemies, the American People are morphed into the other.

I keep thinking of the cowboys that rebelled against barbed wire fencing during the late 19th century and the range wars that followed.

Don’t Fence Me In

https://cdn.agclassroom.org/ok/lessons/intermed/fence.pdf

Our colonizing abroad has led to terrorism and for decades now the American People have been programmed for fear and distrust of the other, my biggest fear is that we're about to lose our freedom or democracy as a result of this long time brainwashing.

[slightlv]

5. My thoughts go to darker places

Maybe because I'm old now and have seen too much inhumane that has torn my soul. But I thought of the DMZ in Korea, East and West Germany. The kingdoms in Sudan splitting it two. Walls, mines, barriers, guns to keep people out, sure... but to also keep people prisoner inside. Walls work both ways as this world has shown time and again. Which is why I don't think there's any way to give yhem land in this country. They'll kill for the rest of us. Feral pigs. Thats the closest description I can come to if they don't get there way.

Sorry for typos and bad tenses. It's late, ive been sick for 3 days and I'm on my phone. I hate these tiny kbs!

[Uncle Joe]

6. Same here

I've thought of that aspect as well, including the wall in Gaza.