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I will just run through numbers 5-10 very quickly:

Number 6 is the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) at just over $25.5 M, with over 90% going to the Democrats.

Number 7 is the Laborers Union at almost $25 M, with over 90% going to the Democrats.

Number 8 is the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) at $24.5 M, with over 90% going to the Democrats.

Number 9 is Goldman Sachs at $24.3 M, with over 60% going to the Democrats.

Number 10 is the Carpenters and Joiners Union at $24.2 M, with over 70% going to the Democrats.

So let's break this down: The top 10 donors from 1989 to 2004 have a combined total contribution of almost $283 M. Of that 10, the donors ranked 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 gave at least 90% of their contributions to the Democrats, with the donors ranked 9 and 10 giving at least 60% and 70% of their contributions, respectively, to the Democrats. Roughly calculated, that equates to just under $230 M of the $283 M contributed that went to the Democrats, and that is just within the top 10.

The ethics reform democrats pushed this year focuses on individual contributions. I wonder why? First of all, it could be because those tend to break to the Republicans. The real question is which one represents the greatest threat to ethics in Congress - an individual giving to the person or party he feels will best protect his rights as an individual, or a large interest group or union pushing an agenda for their own benefit?

Learn more about this author, David Pipkin.
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