The Rich Control Our Politics More Than Ever -- You Can Thank Right-Wingers on the Supreme Court

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http://www.alternet.org/election-2014/rich-control-our-politics-more-ever-you-can-thank-right-wingers-supreme-court



The newest class of wealthy super-donors created by the U.S. Supreme Court’s right-wing majority now has more political access and influence than ever, according to several new reports.

Of America’s 318 million citizens, 310 people have taken advantage of its April ruling that threw out a $123,200 combined contribution cap for indviduals to candidates and political parties. That ruling, McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, has since resulted in these donors exceeding the prior cap by a combined $48.9 million; with Republicans netting $33.3 million and Democrats netting $15.6 million, according to OpenSecrets.org.

That makes these rarified Americans one in a million, select individuals who can call a U.S. senator and expect a call back.

“You have to realize, when you start contributing to all these guys, they give you access to meet them and talk about your issues,” Andrew Sabin, a New York businessman and GOP mega-donor who has given $177,000 to Republicans, told the Washington Post. “They know I’m a big supporter.”

“I’m disappointed in all this stuff going on in Washington,” John Catsimatidis, a New York real estate developer who gave $183,400 mostly to the GOP, told OpenSecrets, which crunched Federal Election Commission numbers. “I try to support good people. It’s all I can really ask for is to meet and greet [politicians] and have my voice heard.”

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1. Not even democratically elected, either.

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