Presidential Candidacy Corruption Jonathan Valenzuela GateWay Community College

America is Losing its Democracy to Presidential Candidacy Corruption Influence of Money Dark Money Voting Fraud Lobbyist “Bankruptcy Bill” Quid Pro Quo

Influence of Money Democracy Journal Organization Elizabeth Warren & the “Bankruptcy Bill” Warren on Credit Card Companies Donald Trump Gives to Politicians Quid Pro Quo According to the Democracy Journal Organization, “money has always been a part of politics.” Mark Hanna a political fixer famously said “There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money, and I can’t remember what the second one is.” By all means these two sources indicate that money is everything in politics. When you have money, you have influence. That is what occurred in the late 1990s when Hillary Clinton overturned her view on this so called “Bankruptcy Bill” only to receive money from Credit Card Organizations, expressed Elizabeth Warren. Even the rich and controversial Donald Trump has bribed politicians himself “ When you give, they do whatever the hell you want them to do”, “ You know what? When I need something from them, two years later, three years later, I call them, and they are their for me.” Its like Quid Quo Pro, which in Latin means “this for that” , “ I want something, you want something. You give me what I want, I’ll give you what you want.”

Dark Money What is Dark Money? Expands Influence of Money Lobbyist & Super PACs China National Tobacco Corporation Example (CNTC) Makes us not ask WHY? Possible lead to Voting Fraud So what is “Dark Money”. They are funds to non-profit organizations or campaigns who can receive unlimited donations from corporations, individuals, and unions. These same donors spend funds to influence elections and can still remain anonymous. In other words no one knows where the money is coming from. It expands influence of money because their must be a reason behind why these donors remain disclosed. A lobbyist is someone hired by a business or a cause to persuade legislators to support that business or cause. They are paid to win favors from politicians. Before Super PACs they were just PACs or Political Action Committees. These groups could support a candidate or cause but individually were only allowed to give 2,500 -- no more – and corporations and unions were strictly forbidden from making donations. However, court cases were settled and they became Super PACs, where they could receive unlimited amounts of cash, even from corporations and unions. For instance, if the China National Tobacco Corporation(CNTC) donates ten million dollars to a Super PAC that funds Hillary Clinton and suppose she becomes president. A year later she signs a bill which says no taxes on all tobacco products, does that not seem a little strange? On the other hand, if those same ten million dollars had been donated anonymously, its very probable that fewer people ask why. I believe dark money is a possible loop whole to voting fraud.

Voting Fraud Why Voting Fraud? Tax cuts, regulations, trade laws all at stake Al Gore V.S. George Bush Hillary Clinton V.S. Bernie Sanders When large sums of money, tax cuts, regulations and trade laws are all at stake, it is ok to say that what must be done, will be done to get the politician who will grant favorable outcomes to these corporations and unions, into office. Voting fraud is the most efficient way to do so. On Election Day November 7th, 2000 voting polls in Florida are closed twelve minutes early. The following morning the election is called for Republican, George W. Bush Jr. however, results are so close the trigger an automatic recount of the votes but this request by runner up Al Gore was denied. Huge numbers of Florida’s pro-democrat black population were incorrectly listed as felons and were denied their right to vote, by a law introduced shortly before the election by State Governor Jeb Bush, George’s brother. Jeb also disagreed with the statewide recount in Florida. November 18th, 2000 Florida’s Republican Secretary of State and Bush campaigner Katherine Harris confirm Bush has won in Florida despite recounts being made. Thirty-seven days later Five Republican judges do not allow a Constitutional State-Wide Recount in Florida. The Constitution states in any close run within two percent or less, a mandatory recount is necessary. January 20th, 2001 George Bush Jr. is inaugurated as president. November 12th, 2001 Washington Post’s study of the Florida votes reveal that Al Gore would have won after a statewide recount.

Conclusion After all, why do corporations and the super-rich pour money into campaigns? Political convictions are at play. However far more than the small donors, big donors are investing in favorable outcomes. It gives them the leverage to reshape America’s economy in their favor. It seems the richest have pulled away from the rest of America. Environmental and Financial risks that they have created only affect our society. You ask how are they doing it……..

Presidential Candidacy Corruption

References Hacker , S. J. & Loewentheil N. (2013). How Big Money Corrupts the Economy. Retreived from democracyjournal.org/magazine/27/how-big-money-corrupts-the-economy Gregory, J. (2012). Super PACS History. Retrieved from abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/super-pac-short-history/story?id=16960267 McCarthy, A. (2016). National Review. Retrieved from nationalreview.com/article/430266/donald-trump-bribery-politicians-hillary-clinton-robert-menendez-solomon-melgen Moyers, B. (2004). (Interview Elizabeth Warren V.S. Hillary Clinton). Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=12mJ-U76nfg