Corporate PACs Spending Millions To Maintain Corporate Oligarchy Rule Of American Government

The dictionary definition of an oligarchy government is one in which only a small segment of wealth or military power has the control of a government. Rather than a democracy or republican sort of government, this pretty much defines the rule of America.

So far according to FEC financial disclosures from the reputable Congressional Quarterly's Political Moneyline, the financial power of big corporate PACs to buy into power the type of government that they want to help weaken government regulations, vote themselves big tax breaks, or increase pollution of the water or air is simply staggering.

While there are some notable big money money donors giving to PACs or candidates, the power of the big corporate PACs in American politics is awesome. It begs the question of whether we really have much democracy in America, and whether big corporations can pretty much buy their way into power. In Washington it is now said that 60 lobbyists exist for every elected Senator or Congressman.

Recent FEC disclosures note the National Rifle Association donating $438,505 to five Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate opposed to futher gun control measures. AT&T has so far spent $25 million in this election cycle when issues involving teleohone, cable and other regulation always play a major role in Congress. The American Medical Association has spent $1 million in just September alone to help elect candidates to influence legislation that impacts this profession.

Texas homebuilder, Bob Perry has so fat spent $8 million in this election to influence the control of Congress in favor of the Republicans by 527 donations to target vulnerable Democrats in Oregon, Iowa, Georgia, and other states. Even Donald Trump has made donations to possible 2008 Republican Presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. Dick Ebersol, Chairman of NBC sports has also contributed to Romney.

Transportation and automobile manufacturers have so far contributed $16 million in this election cycle to influence vehicle safety and fuel economy regulations in Washington.

Law offices have contributed $11 million so far in this election cycle to help influence the ground rules by which lawsuits may befiled and other regulations regarding this profession.

Health care PACS have contributed more than $28 million in this election cycle to candidates or issues to influence legislation that may hurt the profitbiliity of HMOs and other regulations.

Agriculture concerns have spent $13.2 million so far in this election cycle to help prevent legislation that makes stronger penalties against hiring illegal aliens and other profit related issues.

Real estate and construction PACs have spent $14.3 in this election cycle to help influence regulations related to this industry.

Insurance and finance industry PACS have spent $40.1 million so far in this election cycle to influence regulations such as tightening bankruptcy regulations to protect credit card companies from borrowers who hit hard financial times and cannot pay their bills due to medical bills or illness.

Defense contractors have spent $8 million to help promote what benefits their industry such as entry into the Iraq War or buying from one contractor and not another, or protecting no-bid contracts from the Pentagon purchasers.

Big oil and energy PACS have spent $16.5 so far in this election cycle to help elect a government more favorable to drilling for oil in Alaska or setting aside environmental rules.

Big retailers such as Walmart's PAC have spent $15.7 million to influence zoning for new stores of other concerns of the industry.

Communication technology intersts have spent more than $17 million in this election cycle to help influence legisation and regulation involving this industry.

Increasingly big tobacco, alcohol, food service industries and casinos are involved in influencing government both in the election cycles and with massive lobby efforts.

While republican politicians are generally seen as more in the pockets of the big corporate interests and against the best interests of the public good, many democrats are hardly much better or more concerned about the public good, and not the corporate will that helps to elect them to office. As a good example, some questions about Democratic Minority Leader , Harry Reid and the casino industry were raised in the last few days. But who would really be surprised that in Nevada and a powerful American Gaming Association lobby that pretty much only candidates highly favorable to this industry can get elected to higher offices in Nevada.

Americans get the best government that corporate money can buy. Real democracy or a government that really functions for the broader public good is something of an illusion in a nation in which big corporations really rule the nation and create wars for oil assets of other nations or to benefit defense contractors wanting to sell their death wares. Other industries seek to weaken consumer or environmental protections, broaden profits or gain advantage over other competitors. Elections in the U.S. are are pretty much little more than a cruel fraud where voters look hopefully to new leaders for real leadership to effectively and fairly rule them, but instead often only help to reward those corporate entities that spent money to buy them into office to look after their interests, not the public's goodwill.