The affluent have always had a disproportionate impact on politics
Billionaire Koch brothers plan super fund of almost $900 million to finance candidates
The affluent have always had a disproportionate impact on politics. Their ability to finance advertising has often influenced those of modest means to support policies that are not in their best interests. Now the billionaire brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch have announced plans for a super fund of almost $900 million to finance the 2016 presidential and congressional elections. This is equivalent to the budgets of either the Republican or Democratic Parties.
Before 2010 it would have been more difficult to raise such a huge fund. That year the U.S. Supreme Court changed the rules. In the case of Citizens United, the court permitted corporations and other organizations to make political contributions. Then last April the court once again expanded contribution limits. The court decided to lift the $123,200 ceiling on the total amount an individual or corporation is permitted to contribute in a political election. However, the case of McCutcheon vs. Federal Election Commission does not increase the limit of $2,600 to a political candidate in a federal election or $32,400 to a political party.
With the Koch fund, conservatives will have an enormous capacity to promote public policy that leans to the right. It is unlikely that those with a more liberal perspective will be able to raise enough funds to be a counter force. It is now more critical than ever for the less affluent voters to mobilize for a confrontation at the polls on Election Day.
The top 1 percent may control the money, but each citizen has only one vote. The 99 percent still outnumber them.