Posted on 02/11/2010 9:19:20 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Earlier this week, the California Fair Political Practices Commission released its top 10 list of the biggest individual political spenders in the state between January 2000 and the end of 2009.
It's a lot of money flying around: $266 million from the 10 donors alone. KQED's John Myers summed it up nicely.
But if that wasn't enough, just a few months ago, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C., released a similar, but less-noticed study, which should cement the Golden State's place atop the national political spending pantheon.
The study revealed, among other things, that California's tribal gaming interests, including the Pechanga and Morongo Bands of Mission Indians, were among the largest contributors to federal and state campaigns across the United States in 2007 and 2008.
(Excerpt) Read more at californiawatch.org ...
| Donor | Total contributions |
| National Education Association | $56,349,269 |
| Pechanga Band of Mission Indians | $43,960,451 |
| Penn National Gaming | $40,522,447 |
| Morongo Band of Mission Indians | $39,053,909 |
| Service Employees International Union | $35,699,957 |
| National Association of Realtors | $28,591,134 |
| Lakes Entertainment | $25,694,898 |
| Tribes for Fair Play: No on 94, 95, 96 and 97 | $24,754,413 |
| ActBlue | $23,183,948 |
| Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians | $22,079,201 |
It could be worse. You could be a union member . :-)
Failed socialisim
you only give large sums of money to candidates if you want something from them.
Since the state budget is such a mess, California should tax campaign donations. And make it sting ... like maybe 75 percent?
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