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Oil and Coal Have Spent $427 Million To Influence Campaign in 2008
The Public Campaign Action Fund has figured out how much the oil and coal industries have spent to influence the public debate through their 527s, 501(c)4s, PACs, lobbying expenditures, paid advertising, and campaign contributions. Their final number? An astonishing $427.2 million dollars in the first half of 2008. You can see how the numbers break down here, but take a look at this chart for a summary. It is possible these industries will spend close to or more than $1 billion to influence the election and to protect their interests.
| Amount in Millions | Coal/Electric Utilities | Oil/Gas | Total |
| Political Contributions | $16.5 | $20.9 | $37.4 |
| Lobbying Expenditures | 73.7 | 55.3 | 129.0 |
| Paid Media | 7.4 | 201.2 | 208.6 |
| Other Political Spending | 40.0 | 12.2 | 52.2 |
| Total | $137.6 | $289.6 | $427.2 |
Of the oil and gas industries' political contributions, 25% was given to Democrats and 75% was given to Republicans. For coal, it was 31% for Democrats and 69% for Republicans. Electric utilities were more even, with 48% going to Dems and 52% going to Republicans.
I just can't vote for these corporatist parties anymore. Sure, the Repubs get 3-5 times as much as the Dems, but the Dems are still completely dependent on these bribes. It explains why there is no substantive difference between the parties.
The picture looks a little different here:
www.opensecrets.org/industries/mems.php
...and here:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/sectors.php?sector=K
But on the whole, I'm firmly with JG. The Repubs may get 3 to 5 times as much from SOME business interests, but the Dems pocket just as much from SOME OTHER special interest.
You guys can do what you please, but it's third parties and independents for me. And I won't have to hold my nose in the voting booth, or hit the Maalox after I come out.
Good point Jonny. Both parties are prostitutes. Only Ralph Nader stands above selling himself. Vote for Ralph Nader for real change.
They want to buy our election, but all they're willing to offer is half a billion?
Cheapskates.
"Vote OBAMA '08 -- For The Marginal Possibility of a Slightly Less Inhumane America"
Change comes from within, people. The only way to change this system is to take control of the Democratic Party and change it ( Later, turn it into a multiple party system/Parlimentary ). Be active at the local, grass roots level. There are some who are already trying and making a difference. That is the only realistic way right now. If we vote, again, for third party Presidential candidates we will, again, be stuck in this political Hell.
At the local level support and vote in all the alternative candidates you can.
If me Scott H Florance moves to New Jersy and ask for the trashed vials with real biological life forms dried blood. Then I will keep it mine a locked metal piggy bank and Old man Bill Morgan in S Lynwood would get mad how mucjh does he hate me saying a hologram ofa insect wasps voice patten killed 14 plants but not the plant that killed Ms thatchters brother in Law 9000 years ago. Kenny Farnahm thinks Herman Roseblat is Jimmy J Farnham But I know the real one. He didnt die in the biggest Earth Quacke in history set up by a phyco with $100,000
Send $500 A day to SHF me at Bank of America of Everett Routing# 125000024 Acount 8756-1049
And then send it at 11 Am when I think its 11 am for 28,000 weeks even after Im Dead. Then I will have a glow in my eyes and a spiring in a step. So many times a I wanted Money in my life I never took a vow of poverty before!