Money and Politics: Illuminating the Connection

[mawilson 2,133]

If you haven't seen this already, check out

MAPLight.org

- a groundbreaking web site that shines a light on the connection between money and politics. The web site combines two separate public databases - all campaign contributions to every legislator, and how every legislator votes on every bill. Bringing this data together shows the full cycle of money influencing politics.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

while i'd like to say that this is an obvious no-brainer (the connection between money and politics), this site looks pretty cool

thanks for posting

[Tahoma 2,292]

Mawilson...thanks for posting this web site.

[Heracles 417]

What an awesome site.

Truly, private groups and conglomerates will drive the country into the ground, all in the name of profits.

Ironically the same group who have zero to no protection or voting rights in the bill of rights.

How the hell did these bastards pull this over the American peoples' heads?

[mawilson 2,133]

How the hell did these bastards pull this over the American peoples' heads?

Beats me, man.

There's a huge barrier to entry. You need at least $5-10m to run for Senate and probably

$1-2m - for House. Most of it is spent on TV and newspaper advertising.

My only hope is that in 5-10 years, with the proliferation of Twitter and other social media,

the barrier to entry would be significantly lower and one wouldn't need millions of dollars to

gain the support needed to run for office.

Until that happens, people must stop voting for Republicans and Democrats.

[The Dude 206]

How the hell did these bastards pull this over the American peoples' heads?

Beats me, man.

There's a huge barrier to entry. You need at least $5-10m to run for Senate and probably

$1-2m - for House. Most of it is spent on TV and newspaper advertising.

My only hope is that in 5-10 years, with the proliferation of Twitter and other social media,

the barrier to entry would be significantly lower and one wouldn't need millions of dollars to

gain the support needed to run for office.

Until that happens, people must stop voting for Republicans and Democrats.

I've been a bit too quick to declare twitter as superfluous load of #######. Most of the new media outlets coming out lately are unfocused and utilized for meaningless drivel. But if they can direct it towards something substantive that would break down barriers to entry for politics or even business, then more power too it. I really hadn't looked at it that way. Thanks.

Edited September 2, 2009 by Naked_Smurf

[Heracles 417]

How the hell did these bastards pull this over the American peoples' heads?

Beats me, man.

There's a huge barrier to entry. You need at least $5-10m to run for Senate and probably

$1-2m - for House. Most of it is spent on TV and newspaper advertising.

My only hope is that in 5-10 years, with the proliferation of Twitter and other social media,

the barrier to entry would be significantly lower and one wouldn't need millions of dollars to

gain the support needed to run for office.

Until that happens, people must stop voting for Republicans and Democrats.

Its true. You have a country of 307 million yet two major parties. It's almost impossible for a government to represent even a handful of different views under such a system. With both of these parties being bankrolled by their own special interest groups.