If one passes millions of dollars to down ticket members of one's own party

[RadiationTherapy]

is there not a certain amount of influence being bought there? Do you find it a little too near to the general problem of too much money in politics?

[wyldwolf]

1. The operative word in your post is 'politics.'

If one doesn't like politics, one doesn't need to be active in politics.

And, no, I have no issue with politicians raising money for members of HER own party.

[RadiationTherapy]

8. No, if one doesn't like politics, one can participate in change.

One can participate and dislike it and maintain the status quo. So many options.

[wyldwolf]

11. ... but only by being active in politics. Hey - name ONE politician...

... who didn't become part of the status quo once elected.

[RadiationTherapy]

13. Are you implying nothing has changed politically in 250 years?

Forgive me for dodging your question, though I don't think it makes your point. I think we could name names and pick apart records all day if we wanted to.

I hope all is well for you. Good luck!

[wyldwolf]

15. Now that you've mentioned it, no, not much has changed in 250 years...

[RadiationTherapy]

19. Yeesh.

[daleanime]

2. Hey, the 'majority' like payola system....

the majority of politians.

[Loudestlib]

3. Well, how else are you supposed to by superdelegates?

[COLGATE4]

16. I don't know how you "by" superdelegates.

Pass by them?

[Loudestlib]

20. With a u

[COLGATE4]

21. Perfect!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. If I raise $1,000,000, 000 .00 for my party am I doing a bad thing?

[All in it together]

7. Depends on how we got the money and from who the money comes from

Whether it's a good thing for the party. When it comes from powerful big corporations and too big to fail banks and the pharmaceutical industry, etc. then I wonder how much influence they've bought. That used to be illegal and should still be if we want a democracy of the people.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. When people give money to me I do with it what I want.

[Kip Humphrey]

5. Hillary is spreading millions in corporate cash with which to corrupt & buy Democratic politicians

& their superdelegate votes. Last I knew, buying votes is a fine example of corruption... as is money laundering (See DNC, 33 State Democratic Committees & the Hillary Victory Fund).

[COLGATE4]

17. Please provide some links proving that she is

a) buying votes and b) laundering money.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

6. I find it even nearer to the problem when the WAY in which you 'pass millions of dollars downticket'

is simply by setting up a method to pass through contributions to yourself that would otherwise be disallowed, but do so in a way that allows some of the money to be funnelled downticket as a way to hide the fact that the real goal is getting more money for yourself.

When your 'charitable activities' are simply a way to cover your own sleazy behaviour, I'm not really impressed.

[mhatrw]

9. She is USING downticket candidates to raise money for HERSELF.

We shall see if she ever shares any of this money with anybody else. She has not to date.

[RadiationTherapy]

22. So there is already reciprocity and mutual benefit?

At this point, I figured it was just lining up ducks for upcoming favors.

[IdaBriggs]

12. Historically, Royalty gifts Retainers/Servants.

And in business nowadays, "he who has the gold makes the rules".

So yes, I have a problem with it - the system is not designed to encourage competence because it is instead designed to encourage lotal retainers who can be bought for a reasonable fee.

[BernieforPres2016]

14. Yes, it is the way the Party game is played and I think it should be done away with

I have made several donations to Bernie and would be offended if he decided to start passing some of his campaign money to other candidates. If he wants to encourage his supporters to also give to other candidates who share many of his principles, as he did recently with Lucy Flores, I am fine with that.

This corrupt system of passing money around and bartering for coveted committee assignments and other political favors (and the implicit and/or explicit threats to those who don't fall in line) is why 99% of elected Democrats have endorsed Hillary Clinton. See the recent tasteless skit between Hillary and de Blasio, which was about him being scolded for not endorsing Hillary fast enough. A real inside political joke, even without the racist punchline. Isn't that Hillarious?

[LadyHawkAZ]

18. Of course not. Money only corrupts if the person is Republican, or Bernie Sanders

Hillary and all her superdelegates are pure as the driven snow and completely incorruptible, they would never be swayed by filthy lucre.

(or so I gather from her supporters)