Painfully insightful as always with stellar writing. There is unfortunately an element of hopelessness in efforts at counterbalancing the avalanche of money in politics. I say this as a resident of the South where the love of guns and authoritarianism is accompanied by a hatred of government and unions which has become deeply ingrained. Certainly the latter are deeply flawed, but they are the only real levers of influence available to the non-billionaire class and which “We The People” have any direct input over. Then again the way Trump / MAGA are going elections may be meaningless as well.
Thank you for this article. It clearly illustrates the outsized role money can play in modern elections. The comparison showing that Musk’s $300 million in spending is equivalent to a $77 donation from someone with the median American net worth of $193,000 is striking and unsettling. Many Americans already sense that wealth exerts disproportionate influence in politics, but this example puts that imbalance into stark perspective.
Here in the UK we have the same "money in politics" problem. And until very recently, we've also been a two-party system. Tories on the centre-right and Labour centre-left. But that could be about to change.
Ironically, the emergence of a right-wing challenger, (Reform), could significantly help the left. Well, it already did: in the last General Election, Labour achieved a landslide because the right-wing vote was split. That's the "benefit" of a first-past-the-post system.
But Labour, (also backed by the rich), has failed miserably to enact policies to help the average man in the street. So we now have a new, left-wing, challenger: The Green Party.
The Greens have historically focussed on climate, but that's all changed. They have rebranded as a true left-wing party, funded purely by their members. So no rich donors. What does that mean. It means tackling: inequality; failing public services; and looking to renationalise essential infrastructure - water, for instance. And yes... TAXING THE RICH.
At least 20 years ago, Ariana Huffington made the observation on a radio program that buying a politician was the investment that returned the highest ROI for a corporation. And then Citizens United made it so much easier. Do we have a project 2029 waiting in the wings that will restore the spirit of our constitution?
The exponential difference in power between the oligarchy and the working and middle class community is nearly unfathomable. The answer is unfortunately going to be particularly violent.
It is true that candidates who are outspent can sometimes win. I once did a graph of this issue for one of the party committees, looking at U.S. Senate races. There were a few races where the lesser spender had won, but the vast majority of races went to the candidates who spent the most money. You can sometimes win while being outspent 2-1, or maybe 3-1, but above that, your chances are bad. And on the subject of how incredibly cheap buying politicians can be, Peter Thiel donated $15 mlllion to J.D. Vance's Republican Senate primary.
"Citizens United (558 U.S. 310) held that lawmakers cannot regulate a corporation’s right to spend independently in elections. But regulations are just one tool in the legislative toolbox. Another extraordinarily powerful tool has gone largely unexamined until now: every state’s virtually unlimited authority to define the powers it grants its corporations."
Let’s face it the neo-liberals, party leaders, and wealthy elites form a small cabal of well organized power brokers whose only goal is keeping and expanding their power. These people are dangerous in their ability to persuade; telling us they want what we want, but never delivering. Its seems clear, given the organizing of renters and businesses in Minneapolis, and the election of local progressive thinkers around the country, there is a growing awareness that immediate change is necessary, and organizing is paramount.
Painfully insightful as always with stellar writing. There is unfortunately an element of hopelessness in efforts at counterbalancing the avalanche of money in politics. I say this as a resident of the South where the love of guns and authoritarianism is accompanied by a hatred of government and unions which has become deeply ingrained. Certainly the latter are deeply flawed, but they are the only real levers of influence available to the non-billionaire class and which “We The People” have any direct input over. Then again the way Trump / MAGA are going elections may be meaningless as well.
Thank you for this article. It clearly illustrates the outsized role money can play in modern elections. The comparison showing that Musk’s $300 million in spending is equivalent to a $77 donation from someone with the median American net worth of $193,000 is striking and unsettling. Many Americans already sense that wealth exerts disproportionate influence in politics, but this example puts that imbalance into stark perspective.
Here in the UK we have the same "money in politics" problem. And until very recently, we've also been a two-party system. Tories on the centre-right and Labour centre-left. But that could be about to change.
Ironically, the emergence of a right-wing challenger, (Reform), could significantly help the left. Well, it already did: in the last General Election, Labour achieved a landslide because the right-wing vote was split. That's the "benefit" of a first-past-the-post system.
But Labour, (also backed by the rich), has failed miserably to enact policies to help the average man in the street. So we now have a new, left-wing, challenger: The Green Party.
The Greens have historically focussed on climate, but that's all changed. They have rebranded as a true left-wing party, funded purely by their members. So no rich donors. What does that mean. It means tackling: inequality; failing public services; and looking to renationalise essential infrastructure - water, for instance. And yes... TAXING THE RICH.
Class warfare is back.
At least 20 years ago, Ariana Huffington made the observation on a radio program that buying a politician was the investment that returned the highest ROI for a corporation. And then Citizens United made it so much easier. Do we have a project 2029 waiting in the wings that will restore the spirit of our constitution?
The exponential difference in power between the oligarchy and the working and middle class community is nearly unfathomable. The answer is unfortunately going to be particularly violent.
Yeah. There is no other way at this point. I'm ready for it frankly
It is true that candidates who are outspent can sometimes win. I once did a graph of this issue for one of the party committees, looking at U.S. Senate races. There were a few races where the lesser spender had won, but the vast majority of races went to the candidates who spent the most money. You can sometimes win while being outspent 2-1, or maybe 3-1, but above that, your chances are bad. And on the subject of how incredibly cheap buying politicians can be, Peter Thiel donated $15 mlllion to J.D. Vance's Republican Senate primary.
How are people supposed to live with this garbage going on? I feel like vomiting every time I read the news. Never mind my own personal stress.
Thought from the title that I'd be reading about ICE but oh look it's one of the three dozen other dumpster fires that makes for American society
Same. That added money from the Big Beautiful Bill feels like an avalanche waiting to hit.
Unions, yes. Also, The Montana Plan has potential: https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2025/08/07/transparent-election-initiative/
"Citizens United (558 U.S. 310) held that lawmakers cannot regulate a corporation’s right to spend independently in elections. But regulations are just one tool in the legislative toolbox. Another extraordinarily powerful tool has gone largely unexamined until now: every state’s virtually unlimited authority to define the powers it grants its corporations."
The Montana Plan seems promising. I hope that other states will follow.
Let’s face it the neo-liberals, party leaders, and wealthy elites form a small cabal of well organized power brokers whose only goal is keeping and expanding their power. These people are dangerous in their ability to persuade; telling us they want what we want, but never delivering. Its seems clear, given the organizing of renters and businesses in Minneapolis, and the election of local progressive thinkers around the country, there is a growing awareness that immediate change is necessary, and organizing is paramount.