Another Big Lie

For years, mainstream media outlets have endeavored to imbed a certain idea into every discussion of campaign finance – that big business and Wall Street concerns call the shots. "That's where the real money is, and it all favors those fat-cat conservative Republicans," right? Today, we're being told by our own president that "undisclosed" (read: foreign, evil) donors are funding his opposition and trying to "buy the election."

Even the simplest analysis of campaign contributions shows this to be just another Big Lie.

Of the top ten non-individual campaign contributors over the past 20 years, according to www.opensecrets.org, only one is a Wall Street giant – Goldman Sachs. GS gave generously, but split it 62/37 percent in favor of Democrats.

Oh, those corporate pigs!

AT&T topped the list. Over the twenty-year period, the communications giant favored Republicans over Democrats a bit – it was a 55-44 split.

But wait. There is another, much more interesting pattern. Five of the top ten non-individual campaign contributors are (drum roll here...) labor unions.

Yes, those darlings of the progressive press are some of the heaviest hitters when it comes to campaign finance. The AFSCME, the IBEW, the NEA, LIUNA, and the infamous SEIU fill out fully half the list.

·   At #2, AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees)  gave 98% of its campaign money to Democrats.

·   At #7, IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) gave 97% of its campaign money to Democrats.

·   At #8, NEA (National Education Association) gave 93% of its campaign money to Democrats.

·   At #9, LIUNA (Laborers' International Union of North America) gave 92% of its campaign money to Democrats.

·   At #10, SEIU (Service Employees International Union) gave 95% of its campaign money to Democrats.

All told, around 81% of the campaign funds provided by the top 10 non-individual contributors – most of it union dues – went to Democrats.

Oh, and for those of you who are tempted to dig farther down the list, you'll find more of the same. The next ten positions include six more labor unions. If you think the list of individual donors looks much different, think again. Eight of the top ten individual donors were Democrat supporters.

"Undisclosed" donors aren't trying to buy the 2010 election. The ones in plain sight are doing it.

Comments?

Welcome to the forum Tbone. 8)

Lets not forget the Internet bigwigs like Google and HP and so many others.
Dell was the only one to donate predominantly to the Pubs.

I know for a fact that in the inner city (such as Chicago etc) it comes from drug dealers, what better way to launder money and buy your way out of jail?


Billy

Oh yeah, to put it in perspective....

That 81% of campaign contribution money over the period amounted to $288 million. By any standard, that's a LOT of money.

Prob'ly more than I make in a GOOD year! LOL!!!!!!!!!