America’s billionaire-owned politics | The Bottom Line

Twelve mega-donors have paid a dollar out of every $13 spent in the upcoming United States midterm election, according to the Brennan Center for Justice in New York City.

These donors, most of them billionaires, have clear ideas about what they want in return. But as money sways political candidates this way and that, where is the voice of the average American voters – most of whom make no campaign contributions?

Host Steve Clemons asks former Federal Election Commission Chair Trevor Potter and author Andrew Gumbel about whether the future of representative democracy in the US is at stake.


@AljazeeraEnglish
#Aljazeeraenglish
#News

[chuckfinnley]

As if us politics was ever about the people 😂

[amvet_gwot]

If their money cannot corrupt you their hitmen will.

[gambianice]

I like the direction this show is taking. This are the shows that are very relevant to the american political discourse but americans prefer entertainment and not news. Keep up the good work.

[justsomeoneinthecommentsse]

Mega-donors are the power behind politics in the US, regardless of which party is the ruling party.

[carlosdantas]

What a brilliant dissction of American democracy and West democracy as well.

[ronaldgross]

This well meaning show doesn't actually understand the situation. True independent voters do their own research. Independent voters determine the elections. I don't pay attention to anything after two months before the election. If these people want to spend money essentially talking to their own party well then it doesn't matter. It doesn't affect me at all.

[juniorphiri]

Imagine asking if something that's always been happening will happen.

[spartahill]

Thanks for this meaningful and insightful discussion. Now, to solve the issue of bipartisanly elevating the topic above the noise of special interest entities and into the forefront of the American consciousness.

[patriayvida]

The best democracy that money can buy.

[saqdecoq]

Does Al Jazeera also wants to tell us who owns and runs the government in Qatar and other Muslim countries? I wonder why 🤔

[axeblue]

Bad Analysis. It's been like this since 1992 if not earlier. 30yrs ago. The problem is, all young ppl know this, expect this and go along with it; all while the older demographics still believe in this 'equality of freedom' or 'my own choice' mentality.

[raymonddunkley]

Control of the people is done the brotherhood . The world should pay greatest interest in how they operate ?

[syourke]

Democracy? What democracy? I find see a democracy. Not at all.

[MarcusP]

As always AJ, keeping the News updated proper 👉🏾🔥👈🏾

[SomaliPeninsula]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes 🤣

[NocturnalNick]

It raises or prompts the question, it doesn't beg the question. Those are not the same thing

[hammieinvestigations]

From personal experience, it's not only the money going to campaigns, but it's PAID money going to governmental agencies (mayor, city manager, code enforcement, and their police!). It's a _hard fast rule_ that if you are a candidate running for an office, you need not drive. You must be driven by a campaign member as the cops/police will target a candidate. I've seen police and code enforcement stalk, follow, and intimate candidates running for local office. The corruption is very strong and very real. All you need do is volunteer in a campaign and get educated very fast. In fact, campaign meetings are all about how to protect yourself from governmental agents as they will target you on code enforcement, crimes, and fire and rescue. There is no such thing as a fair election, it's a paid-to-the-highest-bidder election.

[ssa]

so whats makes USoligarch different from Putin's?? at the end its oligarch who controls policy...?? maybe Putins version is better???

[dorissharp]

Everybody knows in the usa and everywhere else

[blueclover]

Does one really have to ask, please. This has been going on for years. Why else would they be pouring those dollars in in the fist place? Of course it is...why then Citizen's United? Especially when the present talk in this administration about corporations and taxes?

IT"S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.