The finest election money can buy

[desrt]

http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/05/14928532-elections-biggest-corporate-donor-an-enigma-with-53-million-in-contributions?lite



Election's biggest corporate donor



"The biggest corporate contributor in the 2012 election so far doesn’t appear to make anything — other than very large contributions to a conservative super PAC.

Specialty Group Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn., donated nearly $5.3 million between Oct. 1 and Oct. 11 to FreedomWorks for America, which is affiliated with former GOP House Majority Leader **** Armey........"

Specialty was formed only a month ago. Its “principal office” is a private home in Knoxville. It has no website. And the only name associated with it is that of its registered agent, a lawyer whose phone number, listed in a legal directory, is disconnected.

Specialty is the biggest and most mysterious corporate donor to super PACs, but it is not unique.

A new analysis by the Center for Public Integrity and the Center for Responsive Politics shows that companies have contributed roughly $75 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle.

Super PACs, which were created in the wake of the controversial U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in 2010, can accept donations of unlimited size from corporations, unions and individuals. They spend the funds mostly on negative advertising.

The centers’ analysis found that 85 percent of money from companies flowed to GOP-aligned groups, 11 percent went to Democratic groups and the remainder went to organizations not aligned with either party..........."

[MrsPincince]

It's crazy how much money is spent on BOTH sides..There should DEF be a cap...Donating to charity isn't a bad idea but how about donating to the country and invest in the infrastructure, providing extended training for our teachers, and create jobs..That would help the economy a GREAT deal...$hit they spend a couple million or more on a 90 sec commercial why not invest it in our country?!... CRAZY!.....I mean if George Lucas can donate $4 Billion to education, that's the least our elected officials can do...

[adgal]

I think having them donate to charity is a fabulous idea!!!  I'll tell you though, following this US election has really opened my eyes.  They spend an unbelievable amount of money don't they.  We have caps on donations and spending here, and although our elections are totally boring compared to yours, we don't get as bombarded with the ads.  They are shorter and cheaper, so politicians are forced to stick to their platform....it's all they have the time and money for.  Still..yours are more interesting.  Ours wouldn't even fill 2 or 3 CE threads!

[nursegirl6572]

There's an idea!  

[rivll]

Maybe for every dollar they spend on their campaign they should donate 10% to charity.

[nursegirl6572]

No doubt there is tons of money spent on campaigning, on both sides.  It would be nice to see changes in the way that money was spent.

[teko]

I heard its only up to 6 billion in wasted funds. Anyone else hear that?

[brice1967]

Until there is a philosophical change in Washington, nothing much will change.  It would be nice to know that if any of this ridiculous amount of money actually made it to DC and was being appropriated to infrastructure repairs, that it would actually be used for just that....  I have no confidence that that would be the case.

[rivll]

Total agreement on that!

[orphanedhawk]

I am so much for limiting funding  on campaigns.

Think of all the good that money wasted on these super pacs could have done.
Here we are with a crumbling infrastructure, not enough money to balance our budget,schools closing,etc, and these clowns spend billions of dollars on ads.
Our society is sick.

[el_em_en_oh]

Excellent!!!

Now we know where the $$$'s coming from... mystery solved. Now we can move on.

Appears that money can't buy you happiness or love, but it CAN buy you the White House.

Good to know...