The Midterm Spending Bonanza Is Threatening Democracy Like Never Before
Big money has long dominated American politics, with wealthy donors, corporations, and special interests dumping tons of cash into presidential and congressional elections. This year is no exception. But what’s different is that the quid pro quo of campaign money for preferential government treatment is more brazen than ever before and has become part of […]
Campaign finance reporter Russ Choma joins hosts David Corn and Garrison Hayes to discuss the $1.7 billion poured into the 2022 midterm elections, with a significant portion coming from industries like crypto and sports betting. Super PACs, issue ads, and targeted turnout operations contribute to the "dark matter" of political spending that remains hidden from public scrutiny.
The threat to democracy is real, as donors gain preferential treatment and control over agencies, as seen with Elon Musk. Cynicism is not just a side effect but a goal, with negative ads designed to deter voter turnout. However, there may be hope if voters perceive increased corruption alongside an economic downturn, leading to anger.
Written by urgent.news from Mother Jones's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
