by Greg Dunn

Created on: October 30, 2009   Last Updated: October 31, 2009

To take back our government and allow the people's voices to be heard again and represented, there must be a major overhaul of our campaign finance system. As it is today, the 1 % who controls 95% of this nation's wealth, are being heard over the 99% who are splitting up the other 5% of the wealth.

For every major issue, from health care to home foreclosures to bankruptcy to global warming, that is being debated by our elected officials, there is a lobbyist trying to protect the wealth of wealthy and to ensure maximum profits are ensured for the future.

The power of the political donation is demonstrated every election cycle. The public will be demanding change. Congressional approval will be around 30% and the nationwide call will be to Throw the Bum Out! But, the incumbent is reelected most of the time.

It seems the populace wants to throw everybody else's bum out, but keep their own. This is because of the of the incumbent's financial treasure chest that is built through political donations by corporations, lobbyists, special interests groups and wealthy individuals.

No matter what a politician might say about how little influence a Donator has to influence their opinion, a large contributor expects their interest to be protected. If not, they will take their money elsewhere. It forces the politician to guard their interest by protecting their contributor's interests.

In 2008, the average winning campaign for the Senate cost $8.5 million. For the House, it was $1.4 million. This is incomprehensible and insurmountable for a challenger to raise, especially when considering the following facts:

2008 Congressional Races Financial Contributions

(in millions)

$ 984.7 Incumbents

338.6 Challengers

133.2 Open Seats

This is a 3 to 1 financial advantage an incumbent has to maintain his/her seat. A more disturbing fact is when you look at the money coming from Political Action Committees (PAC).

2008 Congressional Races PAC Dollars

(in millions)

$ 339.0 Incumbents

30.2 Challengers

39.5 Open Seats

This is an 11 to 1 financial edge given to incumbents by PAC donators. It leads to reason that the challenger is raising a lot more in little donations from the private citizen, to allow the gap to eventually close 3 to 1 in total financial contributions. Yet, this proves to be a losing effort because of the 90% reelection rate of the incumbent. The big money PACs and lobbyists give, do make a difference. A huge difference.

Who is going to influence you more on an upcoming

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