LOD: The 1% of the 1%

The parasite sucking life from the body politic is smaller than the 1%, according to a new study of the political money suppliers. The Sunlight Foundation found that just 1% of the top 1% gave 28% of all the disclosed political contributions influencing the 2012 federal elections – $1.7 billion of the nearly $6 billion total. Every member of Congress elected last year received their donations or major support from a group funded by their donations. They are “the gatekeepers of American politics.” They determine the acceptable candidates for office, acceptable topics for policy debate, the acceptable range of options. As the recent fundraiser for Gov. Pat McCrory’s 501-c-4 mystery money support group (Renew NC Foundation) reveals only too well, these mega donors get the politicians’ attention while school kids and the unemployed are kicked to the curb.