Weekly Opinion Editorial
DARK MONEY!
by Steve Fair
Dark money in politics refers to advocacy
spending by 501 (c) non-profit organizations.
Dark money organizations can receive unlimited ‘tax deductible’ contributions
from corporations, individuals and unions.
They set up an advocacy group, hire a political consultant and get
involved in political races. Dark money
groups are not required to disclose their donors. Unlike the contributions made directly to a
candidate, dark money donors have no maximum contribution amount. Dark money advocacy groups campaign either
for a candidate or against, all without revealing to voters who is paying the
bill.
More than $1 billion dollars in dark money
was spent in the 2020 election cycle.
Only about 20% went to Republican candidates. President Joe Biden received $174 million in
anonymous dark money contributions, more than six times Donald Trump. The 1630 fund spent $410 million helping
Democrats take back control of the US Senate and defeating Trump. Half of the money reportedly came from just
four donors. Dark money has infused
unlimited money into politics. Three
observations about dark money:
First, voters have a right to know who is
lobbying for their vote. Dark money
mailers, TV, radio ads are for the most part negative. They usually attack a candidate they oppose,
using unflattering photographs and edgy language, innuendos and insinuations. The disclaimer (paid for by) or postage
markings on dark money printed pieces reveal little to the voter. The anonymity and invisibility of who is
picking up the tab allow the undisclosed to remain in the darkness.
Second, individuals, corporations and unions
have a right to advocate. The First amendment
guarantees the right of free speech, which includes advocating for issues and
policy that is important to them. But
does the US Constitution guarantee the right to anonymity to advocate? The
SCOTUS has ruled that way. Some
disagree, but until prior rulings are overturned, anonymous advocacy appears here
to stay.
Dark
money started to flourish after the passage of McCain/Feingold in 2003. It regulated the financing of political
campaigns, limiting how much a person/family could donate to a campaign. The wealthy contended McCain/Feingold was a
violation of free speech. Setting up
dark money organizations was a way to circumvent donation limits and get a tax
break along the way, using the 501c tax laws.
Third, dark money in politics promotes the
buying of elections. The growth of dark
money in politics has allowed trade associations, unions, business groups and wealthy
individuals to coalesce behind a candidate and get them elected. Once they are in office, the sometimes-unsuspecting
elected official has to dance with the group that bought/brought them. If they tango, they get reelection
money. If not, the group goes looking
for someone else to foxtrot with.
Dark money groups bank on low information
voters to believe all the crap their slick, glossy, polished mailers promote. Political consultants make big bucks running
dark money campaigns. Publicly, these
so-called principled, ethical political marketers condemn dark money advocacy,
but privately they embrace it. Hypocrisy
is the order of the day. Jesus said men loved darkness rather than light
because their deeds are evil. That is
very applicable to dark money advocacy.
Voters
should ignore/dismiss dark money campaign material. Any group unwilling to disclose who is paying
the bill should be regarded as lily-livered, chicken-hearted, gutless
cowards. If they are so proud of their
stance, then come out of the darkness into the light.
If trash were dumped on your front lawn, law
enforcement would be called. The cops
would dig through the trash trying to find something identifying who had left
the rubble. In the past two weeks, that
has happened to Oklahoma GOP primary voters.
Garbage/trash/refuse has been dumped in voter’s mailboxes in the form of
dark money mailers. Voters have a right
to know who the dumper is. The political
consultant, organization and the donors responsible shouldn’t be allowed to
hide in darkness, behind the curtain, and play the great and powerful Oz. Dark money groups: come forth proudly and take
credit for your work.
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