Democrats Must Get Billionaire Money Out of Primaries. NOW.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

"Democrats cannot claim to be in favor of campaign finance reform when they allow billionaire-funded super PACs to control Democratic primaries." Bernie Sanders @BernieSanders

Posted by danni at 11:33 PM | 48 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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(WA-07) introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would end corporate personhood, reverse Citizens United, put power back into the hands of people, and make it clear that money does not equal speech. "Corporations are not people and money is not speech," said Jayapal. "In every election cycle since the disastrous Citizens United decision, we have seen more and more special interest dark money poured into campaigns across the country -- this year, with a billionaire paying millions to buy a seat as Shadow President. My We the People Amendment hands power back to the people by finally ending corporate constitutional rights, reversing Citizens United, and ensuring that our democracy is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people - not corporations."

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Sources:

trackaipac

opemsecrets.org

fec.gov

#1 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-05-28 03:26 PM | Reply

Bernie is right but it'll never happen.

#2 | Posted by qcp at 2025-05-28 03:49 PM | Reply

Writing legislation to counteract the Citizens United ruling is the single most important thing our government could do right now.

#3 | Posted by qcp at 2025-05-28 03:51 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

I've been saying that for years now. Nobody listens to me however. Oh well ---- happens.

#4 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-05-28 04:04 PM | Reply

Legislation can't easily undo Citizens United.
Because Citizens United rejected the previous legislation the McCain-Feingold Act on First Amendment grounds.

Not to mention, there's no way the Republicans will ever vote to keep Russian Rubles out of American Elections.

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-28 04:04 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Too late. It's gonna be nearly impossible to close Pandora's box.

Democrats need to find a politician, like Bernie, who can excite America into coming together to push out the oligarchs, theocrats and the corporatists.

Running another Right of Center, Clinton~esque, politician is going to end up the same way it did for Harris and Hillary.

Biden was saved by Trump's horrific response to Covid, combined with overall Trump fatigue.

#6 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-05-28 04:05 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Writing legislation to counteract the Citizens United ruling is the single most important thing our government could do right now.

Which party do you believe will bring forth such legislation?

The Republicans, who are controlled by the oligarchs.

Or the Democrats, who are controlled by the corporations.

#7 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-05-28 04:07 PM | Reply

"Which party do you believe will bring forth such legislation?"

It doesn't matter, with a 6-3 "Spending Money Is An Act Free Speech" Supreme Court.

#8 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-28 04:10 PM | Reply

- Writing legislation to counteract the Citizens United ruling is the single most important thing our government could do right now.

#3 | Posted by qcp

This is worth the next Dem Pres/ Congress going ahead and increasing the number of SC Justices to approve the Legislation they write.

#9 | Posted by Corky at 2025-05-28 04:30 PM | Reply

The enemy of the gun-loving white supremacist party of the US (AKA the GOP) and the status quo dinosaur AIPAC Democrats who brought the US to this horrible inflection point:

These above progressives are also the enemy of Soma-traffickers Joe Rogaine and Bill Maher who have made Mammon-sized fortunes for themselves by distracting Americans from the real problems afflicting us, like two smiling and laughing Judas Goats.

Meanwhile, AIPAC Democrats and Republicans will insert the word "Hamas!" at every opportunity they get, much like they inserted "Al Qaida" and "WMDs" in the early 2000s which blundered the US into the "Forever Wars."

#10 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-05-28 04:49 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#10 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-05-28 04:49 PM

Imo the Democrat party is a plague barge loaded with the same corporate interests and lewd bribing as the Republican party.

That is what they are loyal to and both continue to attack Progressive ideals.

They deserve nothing.

#11 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2025-05-28 09:12 PM | Reply

Unilateral disarmament! Dems stop taking money while allowing Elon Musk to fund another GOP sweep in the next election. What a great idea! I see no possible downsides.

#12 | Posted by censored at 2025-05-28 09:50 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Unilateral disarmament! Dems stop taking money while allowing Elon Musk to fund another GOP sweep in the next election. What a great idea! I see no possible downsides.

Posted by censored at 2025-05-28 09:50 PM | Reply

Yeah it's a money issue. Kamala spent 2 billion dollars on her campaign and lost the election. Don't tell me it was for a lack of money. It won't fly with me. Just sayin

#13 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-05-28 10:05 PM | Reply

The legacy of corruption remains total and unsolvable for all corporate candidates.

Citizens United increases their dysfunction.

We can't pay them more than dark money does.

Our legislators aren't "ours".

#14 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2025-05-28 11:36 PM | Reply

"The legacy of corruption remains total and unsolvable for all corporate candidates."

How is this functionally different from Goatman saying if you drive a car, don't cry about global warming.

#15 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-28 11:41 PM | Reply

"The legacy of corruption remains total and unsolvable for all corporate candidates."
How is this functionally different from Goatman saying if you drive a car, don't cry about global warming.
#15 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-28 11:41 PM

I won't vote for anyone who doesn't further a Progressive agenda or ideals.

#16 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2025-05-29 01:53 AM | Reply

Yeah it's a money issue. Kamala spent 2 billion dollars on her campaign and lost the election. Don't tell me it was for a lack of money. It won't fly with me. Just sayin
#13 | Posted by LauraMohr

Dems had all sorts of issues in the last election (inflation (which caused every incumbent party to lose worldwide for the first time ever), Joe Biden soiling himself on the national stage for 90 straightminutes, Kamala not having a penis, etc.). And so Kamala lost the EC by 115,000 votes.

There's a reason the GOP is ecstatic that Citizen's United went the way it did.

Dems shooting themselves in the foot isn't by taking a vow of poverty isn't going to fix things. Just like blue states refusing to gerrymander, while red states continue to do so, didn't make things better in the HoR.

#17 | Posted by censored at 2025-05-29 06:26 AM | Reply

I won't vote for anyone who doesn't ~~further a Progressive agenda or ideals.~~ buy Hamas a pony.
#16 | Posted by redlightrobot

Dude, we all know that there's only one "progressive agenda or ideal" that you really care about.

So Jill Stein 2028! it is, then, and help the Christianist party into office. Enjoy the results!

#18 | Posted by censored at 2025-05-29 07:18 AM | Reply

Which party do you believe will bring forth such legislation?

Neither of course, but that doesn't make what I said any less true.

#19 | Posted by qcp at 2025-05-29 08:44 AM | Reply

I won't vote for anyone who doesn't further a Progressive agenda or ideals.
#16 | Posted by redlightrobot

So you've never voted for a major party candidate?

#20 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 08:56 AM | Reply

Not to mention, there's no way the Republicans will ever vote to keep Russian Rubles out of American Elections.

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-28 04:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

When it comes to foreign influence in elections, why the hell do we allow any of it? No one wants to talk about Israel and the insane amount of money they invest in our elections. Both Cori Bush and Jamal Bowman both lost their primaries because of foreign influence, from none other than Israel.

"AIPAC vowed to spend as much as $100 million this year to unseat members of the progressive group. According to reporting by The Intercept on Tuesday, AIPAC spent a total of $25 million to defeat Bowman and Bush"
www.newsweek.com

Israel is doing it right in your face and they face no consequences, nor do the candidates who take their money.

And to be honest, I wouldn't have voted for either of them if I lived in their district, but it doesn't change the fact that it's wrong.

#21 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-05-29 09:09 AM | Reply

"When it comes to foreign influence in elections, why the hell do we allow any of it?"

Really?
The answer is:
Because of Citizens United.

#22 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 09:10 AM | Reply

"No one wants to talk about Israel and the insane amount of money they invest in our elections."

Only Hamas Supporters talk about that.
Trust me on this one.

#23 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 09:10 AM | Reply

"Israel is doing it right in your face and they face no consequences, nor do the candidates who take their money."

Again, that's because of Citizens United.
The cause of your complaints is a Republican stacked Supreme Court.
So, uh, stop voting Republican if you really care about it.

#24 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 09:12 AM | Reply

Only Hamas Supporters talk about that.
Trust me on this one.

#23 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 09:10 AM | Reply | Flag:

Bullschitt. I'm an American supporter and I talk about it all the time.

#25 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-05-29 09:13 AM | Reply

Again, that's because of Citizens United.
The cause of your complaints is a Republican stacked Supreme Court.
So, uh, stop voting Republican if you really care about it.

#24 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 09:12 AM | Reply | Flag:

Just stop with your virtue signaling. The very people you vote for take full advantage of it.

#26 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-05-29 09:14 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

-Which party do you believe will bring forth such legislation?

legislation to accomplish what, exactly?

and what's stopping anybody from doing it right now?

It's a much more complex issue than to boil it down to that.

I get it's a huge problem....and solving it? well, honestly I don't know how. But I'm not going to criticize anybody for trying.

#27 | Posted by eberly at 2025-05-29 09:25 AM | Reply

"Which party do you believe will bring forth such legislation?"

An honest guess, Democrats will try bur Republicans will oppose it vehemently but if the Dems did succeed; Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito will interrupt their vacation abourd billionaire's super yachts to go overturn any such threat tp"money is free speech!"

#28 | Posted by danni at 2025-05-29 09:29 AM | Reply

The very people you vote for take full advantage of it.
#26 | Posted by lfthndthrds

Everybody takes advantage of it, you stupid ----.

But it's Republicans who wrote the rulebook.

Next you'll tell us it's up to Democrats to fix what Republicans broke.

#29 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 10:40 AM | Reply

I won't vote for anyone who doesn't further a Progressive agenda or ideals.
#16 | Posted by redlightrobot
So you've never voted for a major party candidate?
#20 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 08:56 AM

A wasted vote is a wasted vote, true.

There is a reason Bernie only votes with the Democrat caucus and not Republican.

#30 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2025-05-29 10:40 AM | Reply

"I get it's a huge problem....and solving it? well, honestly I don't know how."

What do you mean, you don't know. I'm pretty sure you can see a very straight path that gets us there.

It starts with, how did we get here? We got here because a Republican Supreme Court gave us Citizens United.

The obvious way to overturn Citizens United is putting Democrats on the Supreme Court.

#31 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 10:44 AM | Reply

Next you'll tell us it's up to Democrats to fix what Republicans broke.
#29 | Posted by snoofy

^
Astute readers might notice I just told Eberly it's going to take Democrats to fix what Republicans broke.

#32 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 10:47 AM | Reply

-Just stop with your virtue signaling.

when all you have is knife...you bring that to a gunfight, I guess.

#33 | Posted by eberly at 2025-05-29 11:13 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

-The obvious way to overturn Citizens United is putting Democrats on the Supreme Court.

Actually that's a step in a multi multi step process. Getting to that point is a process, reversing CU, and then what to replace it with.

I know......your peabrain can only see one thing at a time.

Let the adults manage things, little fella.

Most discussions here are so far beyond you......it's why nobody on your side talks to you....ever.

#34 | Posted by eberly at 2025-05-29 11:18 AM | Reply

"reversing CU, and then what to replace it with."

Hey I'm no lawyer but I'm pretty sure if we reverse CU, then McCain-Feingold becomes law again.

Does that not sound right to you?

#35 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 11:20 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

-I'm pretty sure if we reverse CU, then McCain-Feingold becomes law again.

Congress would work on new legislation if there was any chance of that happening.

#36 | Posted by eberly at 2025-05-29 11:34 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

No because Republicans.

But also no because any legislation is DOA because of CU.

#37 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 11:36 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I get it's a huge problem....and solving it? well, honestly I don't know how. But I'm not going to criticize anybody for trying.
#27 | POSTED BY EBERLY

It's not an unsolvable problem. But as you said it will take layered approach over time.

But unilateral disarmament is definitely not the answer.

The fight against dark money in politics will take a multi-pronged approach that includes;
1. strengthening transparency,
2. limiting the influence of large donors,
3. potentially overturning the Citizens United decision through constitutional amendments.

But most of all it requires the will of the majority to do something about it.

#38 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-05-29 11:53 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Everybody takes advantage of it, you stupid ----.

But it's Republicans who wrote the rulebook.

Next you'll tell us it's up to Democrats to fix what Republicans broke.

#29 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-05-29 10:40 AM | Reply | Flag:

You're the idiot who buys a 12 pack of wine coolers and crashes his car - then wants to sue the liquor store.

#39 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-05-29 01:18 PM | Reply

Turds shares his personal anecdotes with us.

Did you win your lawsuit?

#40 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-05-29 01:19 PM | Reply

Did you win your lawsuit?