The Politic$ of the 1% of the 1%

[georgephillip]

If your definition of political equality includes the principle that says each person carries equal weight in the conduct of the public business, you might question the effects on democracy of 26,783 Americans giving 24.3% of the total individual contributions to politicians, parties, PACs and independent expenditure groups in the 2010 election cycle.

"The One Percent of the One Percent are not average Americans.

"Overwhelmingly, they are corporate executives, investors, lobbyists, and lawyers.

"A good number appear to be highly ideological.

"In the 2010 election cycle, the average One Percent of One Percenter spent $28,913, more than the median individual income of $26,364."

The Political One Percent of the One Percent - Sunlight Foundation

 

[occupied]

To congress these are the only people who really matter.

 

[georgephillip]

To congress these are the only people who really matter.

And look where they work:

"The Corporate One Percent of One Percent

Corporate affiliations are the most common. To the extent that donors listed occupations (many do not), the most common titles were variations on 'President,' 'CEO,' 'Executive,' 'Chairman', and 'Investor.'

"Of the 10 companies with the most representation in The One Percent of the One Percent in the 2010 election cycle six are financial companies.

"Goldman Sachs, with 92, far outpaces everyone else. Citigroup, with 32, is second.

"Table 2. Companies listed most commonly by The One Percent of the One Percent, 2010 election cycle
Corporation # of The One Percent of One Percent
Goldman Sachs 92
Citigroup 32
Microsoft 29
Federated Investors 14
RJ Reynolds Tobacco 13..."

The Political One Percent of the One Percent - Sunlight Foundation

Campaign finance reform is impossible as long as voters continue "choosing" between Republican OR Democrat at the polls, imho.