Money Influencing American Politics

From the very first elections held in the United States, there has always been a strong link between money and politics. During the first elections in the late 1700’s you had to be a white male landowner over the age of 21 in order to vote, meaning that you had to have money in order to have your vote counted. It seems today that we cannot go a day with out seeing campaign finance in the media, whether or not it is through advertisements for politicians in the media or asked to donate money to help let your favorite candidate win. Because campaign finance has always been on the back burner of political issues, there has hardly been any change to the large influence money has over the election process and politicians. While money has it’s

“Corruption, improper and usually unlawful conduct intended to secure a benefit for oneself or another its forms include bribery, extortion, and the misuse of inside information. It exists where there is community indifference or a lack of enforcement policies.”(Encyclopedia Britannica). Today political Corruption in all forms exists in every country in the world. In some countries it is more prominent then in others, but no matter where you go it still occurs. Recently in mid 2013 some political corruption was brought to light in New York. “Since 2007, state senators have been more likely to be arrested then to lose their seats in a general election,” (New York Public Interest Research group). In April of 2013 New York State

Americans only see few ways to affect real change on government because politicians are too reliant upon large donations. Groups contribute money, and later on receive a kickback of bill that favors them or supports their positions. “Candidates who raise lots of money say it indicates broad support. Candidates with little money point out that voters, not donors, decide elections” (2012 Presidential). Candidates spend large amount of time fundraising, which decreases people’s confidence in the government’s ability to do their

‘Despite several attempts to regulate campaign finance, money increasingly dominates the U.S. Electoral process and is the main factor contributing to a candidates success’ Discuss (30 marks)

Elissa Nunez of NBC News reports that 64% of Americans believe that the big money in politics discourages many great candidates from running (Nunez). On top of this number, 76% of people believe that "money has a greater influence on politics and elected officials today than in the past," (Nunez). These numbers lead to a fundamental issue in our government; a huge distrust in our federal government. Only a month after 9/11, 60% of citizens said they could trust the federal government, however, following the Iraq war and an economic downturn the number dropped to a mere 24% in 2007

In American society, wealth has played a particularly significant role in shaping the culture and standards set for our country. With every dilemma that has occurred, money was been an underlying deciding factor in the end. John.F.Kennedy makes this very clear in his statement on lowering the prices of steel, all the way Jennifer Price's take on people being obsessed with a money, even Scott Russell’s article on the status quo Americans believe determines one's happiness and success. All of these passages tie together to show just how money influences our very own society.

Monetary value has had significant influence in determining the outcome of elections. The input and strategies put forward by different forces determine the organizational scheme and the ability to grab most of the seats. Although money has been linked to corrupt deals in many countries, with leaders amassing power through corrupt and underhand methods, especially in Africa, this is not the case of the same monetary influence witnessed in America. The conventions of the U.S.A raise a lot of money in preparation for campaigns and elections to constitute a good number of representatives. The paper, therefore, looks at the effect of money in the recently concluded elections of the Congress, giving a deeper view of the 113th and 114th Congress election of the two major conventions.

“All contributions by corporations to any political committee or for any political purpose should be forbidden by law” This quote from Theodore Roosevelt illustrates how corporate money can be disastrous when involved in election cycles. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The Supreme Court decided in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that companies and Super PAC’s could donate unlimited amount of money to support candidates. The Citizens United ruling has caused increased political corruption in the United States by giving candidates the money they need to win an election while changing policies that would be beneficial to the company.

One of the biggest problems with some sort of a government is that they tend to spend the money on things that would not benefit their country. As in the Gilded Age many people were incredibly poor or filthy rich. Many of the rich people were in the government such as the president. When this occurs it means that the government is hoarding the money of themselves and not helping the people. It’s the same thing today in America and especially other countries who starve their people.

In the world we live in today money is what defines basically everything. Money defines value, social classes, income, budget, and everything in our daily lives. Therefore if we are a democracy I think it is important the people know where the money of our country is coming from and being spent on. A big issue dealing with money are companies creating more front loading and even political engineering.

The majority of people, if not all, by human nature are greedy and work toward their own desires and betterment. This natural instinct to protect one’s self interest actually is a positive force in the world. People will naturally work toward improving their station in life and the innovative ideas that are unleashed and actions that are taken in these pursuits improve other people’s lives as well. The issue begins when this greed grows unchecked and becomes a desire to have power over others. History has long shown that people who have power, especially power protected by a governing body, should be held accountable. A community of people should never assume that those they have elected to govern them possess greed that is more virtuous than individual greed. The Framers of the U.S. Constitution recognized this abuse of power and were intent to put in place a system that included separation of powers and checks and balances to protect American citizens from tyranny. Although the Constitution does not specifically address term limits on public servants in government leadership, there is evidence that some of the Framers understood that the negative effects of power hungry public officials. During the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin made a speech and he said “there are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; The love of power and the love of money.” What I will be addressing in this paper

This idea that rich people will use money to influence government is referred to by Jason Brennan and Peter M. Jaworski in “Line up for Expensive Equality” as rent seeking, and “a high degree of rent seeking is a sign of serious government failure”. A government that is powered by rich people, for rich people is one that is failing to promote the common good as the government will only do what benefits the rich; the ones voting them most. Jean-Jacques Rousseau stated that “the deficiencies in individuals were rectified by upholding the ‘common good'” which can only be upheld when all individuals have a say. This expressed the sentiment that what makes government work is that if everyone is able to participate. Similar to how the French nobility oppressed the poor in government for their own gain.

I agree and which it's sad to say, I mean many of these elites are cold-hearted and wicked but theres a ton of super elites that are willing to even the playing fields. I just think America should block money in politics, then maybe the super elites won't be super elites. And the playing field will be even again.

     To eliminate soft money from politics would be to restore purity in a sense, to the

     We elect politicians on the basis on the issues by which they stand, and these issues are either held up or weakened by the numerous interest groups that exist today. Interest groups target both major and minor issues, using all of their resources to sponsor or overpower the groups’ concern. Interest groups are composed of a limited range of the body of voters who have a great stake in the issues their group support. They make evident the issues their group supports. Their resources are used in an attempt to make their issue public policy. Interest groups are persistent; they do not give up until they succeed. They lobby congress, take legal action,