THE
BIG
IMPACT
Money is the cause and the main way in which the winner of the election is determined. Money is responsible for mostly all of the success a candidate has in the election. It buys the advertisements, and publicization a candidate running needs to gain much of their support. Although it is very important in the political process and campaign, most often times, it causes for the actual personality and the character of the politician to be overlooked. Not only this but, the person with the most monetary advantage influences most of the voters support and the name they click on the ballot.
It is also very time consuming, candidates and members of congress spend from 30% to 70% of time raising money to get elected to do what the funders want them to do. ​
IMPACT OF
MONEY
ON ELECTIONS
Both Democratic and Republican candidates use money as a means of gaining support. Since the year of 1990, money has influenced many of the winning elections and the success of the candidates running. Because of this, the money has become the election and the usage of money has been a method used continuously. 84% of Americans believe money is an influence in politics. In parties; 80% Republicans, 90% Democrats, and 84% of Independents. They use donors as a means of gaining support, but they are often private and provide an over abundance of money, that automatically fuel them further in the campaign.
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According to Atlantic.com, the problem of money’s influence in this year’s election is so “nationally recognized that even Donald Trump who had been running as a republican candidate recognized it.” The more monetary advantage a politician has, the more advantage they have to win the election by unlimited advertisements and pass the laws promised to funders.​
Who: Candidates Running in Elections
What: Money
Money is used in both local elections and presidential elections. In both of these types of elections, money has a big impact in the outcome of each of them. With every vote, cast, and advertisement publicized, money has played a large role in how it was done and in what way it was done. The big impact on money, is seen most during the presidential election.
When: Local & Presidential Elections
Candidates are winning elections because of individual funders, organizations and corporations. They endorse the politicians and give them the majority of the money they earn but want investment in return after the person is elected. These funders influence politicians for policies and laws that aid them so they give politicians money in return. Campaign spending causes more issues such as legislative outcomes. If the candidates believe that money spending and getting endorsed will get them re-elected it will influence how they vote in legislative engagement, when they come into Congress once again.
Money doesn’t just affect who gets elected but lawmaking as well. For example, when people wanted laws regulating gun ownership; $240,000 was given to Congress to support it and $5,600,000 was given to oppose it and the opposition won. When people wanted there to be stricter guidelines for food being marketed to schools; $2,200,000 was given to Congress to support it and $51,000,000 opposed it and the opposition won. When the Keystone XL Pipeline wanted to transport oil from Alberta to Texas; $175,000,000 was given to Congress to support it and $5,000,000 opposed it and the people who supported it won. When people wanted the CISPA Cybersecurity Bill to be passed; $605,000,000 was given to Congress and $4,300,000 was given to oppose it and the people who supported it won.
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Clearly, money plays a large role in politics. The Supreme Court states in Citizens United that the people of America have the influence in the general election but that is right after the funders have power over the candidates who are to run. Politicians will do anything to keep the funders satisfied. So it is a benefit for both the funders and the politicians. The reason the funders are getting away with it, is because it is legal. They are apart of the “people of America.” It is a “pathological, democracy destroying corruption” states Lawrence Lessig, a legal scholar activist.
Why: Funders
It is the 0.05% of Americans. They are the funders who give the maximum amount to any candidate. Even if it is the smallest amount of people, they are giving the most amount of money which allows candidates to win elections very easily. 435 House elections in 2012 and the candidates who consumed (outspent) their opponents won 95% of them. According to the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute, since 2000, the people who won seats for the open House consumed more than the people who lost by $310,000 at least. For open senate seats, the winners consumed more than the losers every year other than 2002.
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The Koch Brothers:
Two billionaires who are David H. Koch and Charles Koch; sons of Fred C. Koch are the Koch Brothers. They have majority of the power over the Republican party. The Koch Brothers fund the Citizens United which is a PAC (political action committee) who promote corporate interests. They keep the political influence of money into balance. They are founders of the group called the Americans for Prosperity which support candidates who fight against what citizens want. They are the strongest influencers over Republicans.
How: Funders
