The $1.6 Billion Political Donation — From a Single Donor

The dark money revolution is reaching a new level and closing the door on American democracy

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

In theory, of course, things could always somehow get worse, but it’s difficult to imagine how much further American politics could degrade. In the states, corporations are people; money is free speech. In a supposed ‘democracy,’ a billionaire pumping unlimited sums of untraceable dark money into political campaigns is their ‘right’ to ‘petition the government.’

Since the disastrous Citizens United decision in 2010, America’s shift into oligarchy has been strapped to a freaking turbo-charged rocket ship. It is well-known that the politician who raises the most money usually wins and the amount of money that flows into election cycles is astronomical and growing.

Here’s the path: get a billionaire backer or two, overwhelm the media with ads, and cruise into office with their list of demands. Don’t play ball? They’ll support someone who does, and you’ll be out of office the next cycle.

The rich and lobbyists have the personal phone numbers of politicians who do everything for their real big-money constituents while town hall events — which they hardly do anymore — are a photo op of a cruel joke.

The NY Times reported last week that America has taken an even darker turn into the abyss. A single ninety-year-old low-profile Chicago billionaire has put $1,600,000,000 into a trust that will be run by a conservative fanatic to further the right-wing fundamentalist cause on all levels.

It is by far the largest single political donation in American history — more than double what Trump raised in his 2020 presidential bid — and a very chilling omen for the future.

The will of the populace is already completely ignored by Washington, and it’s going to get much worse.

What chance do American citizens have? And will the trend ever be reversed?

A single ninety-year-old low-profile Chicago billionaire has put $1,600,000,000 into a trust that will be run by a conservative fanatic to further the…