The problem with everything below from these anonymously funded 3rd party groups to cash bundlers that Romney won’t disclose (Obama does) to the trips overseas fundraising trips by Romney where reporters aren’t allowed in … we really have no idea who the hell is buying our democracy.  We have some information on the billionaires who have given money publicly to various SuperPacs which allows unlimited donations but requires transparency, but we have NO IDEA what corporations or foreign donors or drug lords are funding these political actions.  Political actions can include paying bloggers, creating disruptive social media ads, funding think tanks, paying for tv ads etc.  It all comes down to a concerted effort by a few people to convince you either not to vote at all or to vote for their guy.

And yes – they know if you were to vote … which person you’re likely to vote for.  So – they’re going to try to influence you not to vote if you’re a likely Obama voter.  That’s how politics works and these guys don’t make millions because they’re stupid.

Pro-Publica says that two anonymously funded 3rd party groups – the Koch Brothers funded Americans for Prosperity and the Karl Rove led American Crossroads – are spending more money than all other SuperPACs combined HERE:

The two nonprofits had outspent each of the other types of outside spending groups in this election cycle, including political parties, unions, trade associations and political action committees, a ProPublica analysis of data provided by Kantar Media’s Campaign Media Analysis Group, or CMAG, found.

Super PACs, which do have to report their donors, spent an estimated $55.7 million on TV ads mentioning a presidential candidate, CMAG data shows. Parties spent $22.5 million.

Crossroads GPS, or Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, is the brainchild of GOP strategist Karl Rove, and spent an estimated $41.7 million. Americans for Prosperity, credited with helping launch the Tea Party movement, is backed in part by billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch, and spent an estimated $18.2 million.

Conservative social-welfare nonprofits have spent about $70 million on TV ads in the election cycle so far, compared to just $1.6 million by liberal groups, CMAG data shows.

Juan Cole points us to a study showing billionaires trying to buy democracy; he sums it up HERE:

They found that nearly 60% of the almost quarter of a billion dollars raised by Super PACs from individuals derived from just 47 people, who gave at least $1 million each (obviously some gave much more).

47 people. That’s democracy?

Of these 47, the most generous (or greedy) are Sheldon Adelson and his wife, who gave $36 million themselves. Since the total known amount from individuals is $240 million, some 15 percent of the individual contributions, or one-sixth, are coming from one family.

And now – Veterans Today is detailing that Mitt Romney may have taken donations from foreign donors which is ILLEGAL.  You can read that blockbuster article HERE:

If you go outside the US, if you stay inside the US, if your contributor is living in the US but not a citizen, any money you get can mean years in jail.

Romney went the whole way, personally campaigning outside the US, soliciting foreign citizens, and humiliating himself and his country with his ignorance and flagrant attempts to trade illegal cash for promises of illegal war.  One could hardly break more laws if one wanted.

Romney has raised millions in foreign cash at fundraising events across Israel and London, those that we know of so far.  One table alone gave him a million in cash.  None was from American citizens.  Fewer than 10% of Romney’s contributors in Israel are estimated to be “dual citizens.” Others may have just flown the money in.

They can’t steal it if you don’t let them.  No matter what – register to vote.  Educate yourself and VOTE as early as is legally allowable.  You can read more of our articles on campaign finance HERE.

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