How does this graphic make you feel about the upcoming elections?

[Turborama]

For context, it was featured in this segment on MSNBC...

Woodhouse: GOP's Plan to Return to Bush Scares Voters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0x8Mb2Dck4&playnext=1

Edited to add link to Open Secrets' website: http://www.opensecrets.org/

[daleanime]

1. Makes me feel....

sold out by both sides.:argh:

[derby378]

2. I just hope the cash isn't used on some half-assed campaign ads

We could use some pushback from the Dems right about now.

[AspenRose]

23. That's what I'm thinking

For that kind of money they should DAMN WELL be able to do SOMETHING.

[Wickerman]

3. Sounds like the smart money

is leaning Blue. I *think* that is a good thing...

[Mika]

4. Looks like the "librul media" outlets are going to cash in on ad revenues.

Why on earth would any media want to end "special interest" election funding?

:shrug:

---

[Oceansaway]

5. K&R...n/t

[YOY]

6. It makes me think that we need to see how that cash is broken down.

By whom and by both parties. VERY detailed. VERY.

Not just here but in the mainstream media.

Like that will ever happen.

[Turborama]

14. Open Secrets have details from 2008

Can't seem to find the specifics for this year yet, though.

http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/index_stfed.php?num=10000&gov=c

[YOY]

16. Yes, but when they have it if they have it, will it ever be on the news?

Nope. Not likely.

[nightrain]

7. sick, that money will buy elections, more openly...

[Brickbat]

8. It makes me sick. What a fucking waste on both sides.

[Selatius]

9. Exactly how much of that money is from working class donors as opposed to managers at corporations?

You could get 50 managers at Goldman Sachs to donate in the maximum amount of $30,400 per person per calendar year to the DNC legally. We're talking a sum of 1,520,000 just from those hypothetical 50.

The same 50 can donate to an individual candidate running for office or re-election to the tune of 2,400 per person in a calendar year. That's 120,000.

[Winterblues]

10. Lightweights...everybody else is talking in the billions and trillions.

I would bet though that those spending for Republican causes will top over a billion..now especially that corporations can spend an unlimited amount. The ads haven't even begun yet.

[damntexdem]

11. It makes me ask "what are the big donors expecting for their cash?"

Of course we've all seen the answer in the behavior of Congresscritters of both parties.

[bigwillq]

12. Sad

That it's all about money. That our elections are bought and sold. Yes, some (probably quite a bit) of that money is donated by average Americans, but a good amount is still donated by BIG BUSINESS. They get what they pay for.

[ihavenobias]

22. Very true. n/t

[progressoid]

13. I guess they won't need any money from me.

Not that I would give any even if I had any.

[Rex]

15. It makes me laugh at the idiots that sellout our country for pennies

on the dollar. Not even a billion spent by both sides...and yet they can steal trillions for their paymasters. America is sick and getting sicker...now watch this drive!

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

17. Party in power always raises more. (Why bribe the powerless?)

[Blue Owl]

18. Run-of-the-mill $hit$tream media deception

Makes it look like the donations are equal with their "bar graph" appearance

[Recursion]

19. Most PACs/etc. favor the party currently in power

Our majority even makes it easier to pick up endorsements from the NRA, for heaven's sake, for that reason.

[McCamy Taylor]

20. Pretty good, actually. The side with the most money usually wins and

I am a yellow dog Democrat.

:dem:

[Turborama]

24. Let's just hope they spend it wisely

Goodness knows they have a serious amount of ammo for some very hard hitting ad campaigns.

I do share other's concerns about who the party will be beholden to, though. I am a strong advocate for campaign finance reform.

[ibegurpard]

21. Like deep pockets will be expecting serious payback

not sure what's left to gut for their benefit though