Before the party chokes to death on its own corruption. Next week the Democratic National Committee will vote on a crucial resolution to break the hold of wealthy donors and secretive PACs.
By Robert L. Borosage, The Nation
Big money—increasingly laundered through independent groups that do not disclose their donors—is corrupting our politics. In this election season alone, the Wesleyan Media Project reports, nearly 60 percent of the ads aired in Democratic House primaries were purchased by groups that offered only partial disclosure of their donors—or none at all. Progressive challengers in contested primaries were often the leading targets of these dark money groups.
Democrats have long condemned the Big Money corruption of our politics—but reforms passed by the House of Representatives have repeatedly been torpedoed by Republican filibusters in the Senate. This month, however, Democrats could—if they choose—crack down on dark money poisoning their own primaries. And small-d democrats across the country should join in calling for them to act. Since the courts treat the Democratic National Committee and the party essentially as a club with free association rights, the party can make and enforce its own rules for how its candidates are selected—without the need for Republican cooperation. A resolution introduced by Judith Whitmer, chair of the Nevada Democratic Party—along with 33 of her fellow DNC members—calls on the party to “ban the use of ‘dark money’ funding during any and all Democratic primary elections.” DNC Resolution 19 also calls for mechanisms to investigate the use of dark money, explore possible disciplinary action, and empower states to set rules in their primaries to ensure transparency.
As Democrats from Joe Biden on down have argued, campaign finance reform is long overdue. This primary season has dramatized just how corrupt and corrosive the current system is.
Recent Posts
U.S. Military Willing To Attack “Designated Terrorist Organizations” Within America, General Says
Take Action Now “If I had no concerns and I was confident in the lawful order, I would definitely execute that order.”By Nick Turse, The……
DOJ Won’t Meet Friday Deadline To Release All The Epstein Files
Take Action Now The delay means the White House is in apparent conflict with a law President Donald Trump signed in November.By Gregory…
Privatize USPS? Mail Carriers Have A Better Idea
Take Action Now After battling for a fair contract, USPS workers face the threat of privatization, which they warn will harm all Americans.By Mel…
Senate Passes Massive $901 Billion National Defense Authorization Act, Sending It To Trump’s Desk
Take Action Now When combined with a supplemental bill passed earlier this year, the NDAA will bring the US military budget to over $1 trillionBy…