Indications of “the pervasive
influence of corporate cash in the democratic process, and the extraordinary
lengths to which politicians, lobbyists and even judges go to solicit money” can
be seen in sealed but leaked court documents in Wisconsin.[1]
This glimpse in to the real money-game in business and government shows just how
much corporate money is in play. “The files open a window on a world that is
very rarely glimpsed by the public, in which millions of dollars are secretly
donated by major corporations and super-wealthy individuals to third-party groups
in an attempt to sway elections.”[2] In addition, the files show just how
easy it is for public officials to deny having been subject to conflicts of
interest. The combination of a lot of money and the ability to get away with
exploiting a conflict of interest is toxic to a viable representative democracy
(i.e., a republic).
The full essay is at "Corporate Money in Politics."
[1] Ed
Pilkington, “Leaded
Documents Reveal Secretive Influence of Corporate Cash on Politics,” The Guardian, September 14, 2016.
[2]
Ibid.