The Political Process

The Political Process What is a democracy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw2z9lV3W1g Lawrence Lessig’s Ted Talk Money in Politics Facts What is a democracy? Everyone has the same political power. Is this a democracy? Does any one person’s vote = any one person’s vote? YES, mostly Does any one person’s political power = Any one person’s political power? Is the US a democracy or is the US a plutocracy? What is a plutocracy? Government by the wealth, for the wealthy, of the wealthy What are the mechanisms that the wealthy use to gain political power? We will study: How much does money influence politics? How much should money influence politics? What should we do about it?

The Facts! Money in elections (are they free or fair?) Bill Gates’ $ = the money of 106 million Americans In 2004 those who outspent their opponents won election 94% of the time Over 2 billion dollars was spent on the 2016 presidential election alone!! http://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/

Check This Out!! Who is the money in politics good for? Who is the money in politics bad for? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9-vkpKu5Fg The President… http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/

Takers Average US congressional campaign >$1 million Incumbents win >98% Average senate race >$5 million Incumbents win >85% 90% of PAC money goes to incumbents Those who outspend their opponents win over 90% of elections OVER 40 SENATORS ARE MILLIONAIRES! http://www.forbes.com/2006/11/17/senate-politics-washington-biz-wash_cx_jh_1120senate.html Millionaires in Congress…NPR Report http://www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140627334/millionaires-in-congress-weigh-new-tax-on-wealthy?ps=cprs

Givers Donors who gives more than $200 to a congressional candidate make up 1/4 of 1% of the population. 95% are White  80% are men  50% are over 60 80% have family incomes > $100,000  20% have income > $500,000 Their contributions give them access to their representatives. >50% had formally met with their member of congress since the last election >30% had formally met with their senator

Super-PACs http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/superpacs.php are a new kind of political action committee created in July 2010 following the outcome of a federal court case known as SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission. Technically known as independent expenditure-only committees, Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates. Super PACs must, however, report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis -- the Super PAC's choice -- as a traditional PAC would. Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates. As of October 11, 2012, 931 groups organized as Super PACs have reported total receipts of $394,249,275 and total independent expenditures of $348,694,658 in the 2012 cycle. See more on Outside Spending. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmQ37zm7-uU

Is this good news? How much power do you have? Why do people give this sort of money to politicians? Controversial businessman and banker Charles Keating said, “has my financial support in any way influenced several politicians to take up my cause. I certainly hope so.” When another businessman was asked if his $300,000 donation to the democratic party have him access to Clinton replied, “of course. The only reason I gave money is to get access.” He continued , “I only regret now that I didn’t give $600,000.” Fundraiser Johnny Chung said about the business of campaigns that “The White House is like a subway, you have to put in coins to open the gates.” Have you talked to your representatives lately? Who do they represent? Call capitol switchboard → 202-224-3121 Ask for a formal meeting with your representative or senator. See what happens.  Capitol switchboard → 202-224-3121  White House → 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K90Zpjvdlko https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx-2ADrY3QY

Interest groups (special interest groups, pressure groups) Define List & give examples of the five types of Interest Groups in the book Perform a cost/benefit analysis of the effect of interest groups on democracy List any interest groups you are in: List the five types of interest groups, explain each and give actual examples. How do interest groups get what they want? Write a law reforming interest groups.

Lobbyists Questions… What is lobbying? What are lobbyists?   We have many negative connotations of lobbying. What do lobbyists do that is positive? Inform and educate decision makers in government Educate and mobilize public opinion Prepare legislation Testify before legislative hearings Contribute to cost of campaigns Do lobbyists have too much influence over government? How many lobbyists are there per member of Congress? There are 61 lobbyists for each member of Congress. When lobbyists move from government to lobbying this called going through the revolving door. Should we regulate revolving door lobbying? Gucci Gulch – Lobbyists on average make 3 times the salary of congresspeople. Is this good? Are government officials like Michael Deaver who leave government service to lobby for foreign governments traitors? He lobbied for Singapore, South Korea and Canada and made $1.2 million.

Who do our representatives represent? Are we being bought and sold? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HumMyN0Q8Gc Lawrence on Lobbyists! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSVI4_jY344 Interest Group Terms… http://politicsstudio.wikifoundry.com/page/Interest+Group+Terms

$$$ in Politics…Interest Groups FEC Contribution Facts: https://transition.fec.gov/pages/brochures/contriblimits.shtml

What do Interest Groups Do? Lobbying Client Total US Chamber of Commerce $1,387,220,680 National Assn of Realtors $448,341,271 American Medical Assn $368,687,500 General Electric $351,042,000 American Hospital Assn $342,757,732 Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America $330,389,050 Blue Cross/Blue Shield $313,526,924 AARP $271,311,064 Boeing Co $255,473,310 Northrop Grumman $252,642,213 Exxon Mobil $240,902,742 Business Roundtable $239,599,000 Lockheed Martin $238,056,393 Verizon Communications $230,047,043 AT&T Inc $226,435,644 Edison Electric Institute $214,656,789 National Assn of Broadcasters $211,008,000 Southern Co $207,920,694 National Cable & Telecommunications Assn $193,830,000 Altria Group $184,555,200 What do Interest Groups Do? Here’s a list of some of the things interest groups do. Activity Percent engaging in activity 1. Testifying at hearings 99 2. Contacting governmental officials directly to present point of view 98 3. Engaging in informal contacts with officials – conventions, lunch 95 4. presenting research or technical information 92 5. sending letters to members of the group to inform them about activities 92 6. Entering into coalitions with other groups 92 7. Attempting to shape the implementation of policies 90 8. talking with people from the media 89 9. consulting with government officials to plan legislative strategy 86 10. helping to draft legislation 85 11. inspiring letter-writing or telegram campaigns 84 12. shaping the government’s agenda by raising new and ignored issues 84 13. mounting grassroots lobbying efforts 80 14. Having influential constituents contact their member of Congress 80 15. Helping to draft regulations, rules, or guidelines 78 16. serving on advisory commissions and boards 76 Data for the most recent year was downloaded on October 21, 2017. Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center: info@crp.org

Election Reform Background Why don’t we regulate money in politics? We do. In 1971 Congress passed the Federal Election Campaign Act which: 1) Created Federal Election Commission (FEC) Bipartisan administers and enforcers of campaign laws  2) Provided public financing for presidential elections Matching funds from tax $ - you can check a $3 box on your taxes  3) Limited presidential campaign spending If you get federal $ you must spend less than $35 million on primaries and $80 million on general election 4) Required disclosure who contributed and how was money spent

5)Limited contributions In 2002 Congress passed the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act which: Limits PACS to $10,000 per election cycle Limits individuals to $2300 per candidate, per election cycle. Limits individuals to $25,000 per national party per year Limits individuals to $10,000 per year to state party per year Limit aggregate contributions to $108,200 per 2 year cycle

The Story of Citizens United v. FEC https://www. youtube. com/watch