Money Influencing American Politics

Money is what makes the world go around. From day one, people are assimilated with the idea: to consume, one must spend a medium sufficient enough to receive an object that is desired. Every country has that medium. The Europeans have the Euro, the Japanese have the Yen, Chile has the Peso, and the United States has the Dollar. However, this idea of “getting and spending” has done more harm than good in specific countries. Particularly, in the United States there has been a growing issue of income inequality. The textbook definition of income inequality states: the difference between individuals or populations in the distribution of their assets, wealth, or income. The political problem itself, nevertheless, is deeper and

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

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.

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

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.

There are been so many examples of humanity's greed changing the course of history. The lust for control has forged vast empires. The potential for profit has been the cause for the enslavement of many peoples. And even in the United States, which prides itself on being a land where the people's opinions matter has succumbed to such greed. There many examples, one of the most troubling is the presence of super PACs, which have gained near-ownership of the most influential government officials. They must be stopped, if the idea of a government who listens to its people is to be persevered.

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.

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

“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.

Let’s open our Bibles together to Exodus 20. Tonight we are beginning a new sermon series called “Resolutions That Really Matter: Spiritual Challenges From The Ten Commandments”. Many people make resolutions on New Year’s Day. They look back at the last year, engage in self-examination and then make plans regarding the goals they want to accomplish in the coming year. Does the Bible say anything about making resolutions? Several biblical passages give us examples where people of God resolved to make specific resolutions to help them achieve certain goals. One example is in Nehemiah 10. The book of Nehemiah focuses on spiritual renewal of God’s people when they returned to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. Nehemiah 10 describes what happened at one gathering of God’s people. In 10:29-30 we read, “They (the Israelites) vowed to accept the curse of God if they failed to obey the law of God as issued by his servant Moses. They solemnly promised to carefully follow all the commands, laws, and regulations of the Lord their God.” The Israelites allowed God’s law to challenge them and then they made specific resolutions. They made resolutions regarding their relationships. They resolved that they will not intermarry

Many people believe that weight training is only for athletes. However, weight training can benefit everyone. That is why it should be a part of your daily routine.

     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,

“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

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

Since part of the money is being used to buy off politicians, it is corrupting our political system on all levels,