Like many here, I got an email today from Jeff Weaver, campaign manager for Bernie Sanders. Jeff alerted Bernie’s supporters to the decision by a huge PAC to get involved in the Democratic primaries in support of Mrs Clinton’s candidacy, and asked for us to contribute again to help counter their efforts to swing the race with corporate money.
What Jeff didn't mention, however, is another piece of news via the Washington Post, already covered in this great diary by astral66 . My own is an appeal to Clinton and Sanders supporters alike. Because the behavior of the DNC disgusts me. And I think many of you will feel the same.
To recap, the Washington Post (see the above link) reports that the DNC has quietly rolled back reforms made by our President, President Obama. As the Democratic nominee, Mr Obama placed a ban on contributions to the Party from federal lobbyists and PACs. He wanted to change the way Washington works. The DNC, in my view hopelessly out of touch with the vast majority of Americans who reject such ‘legalized bribery’ as President Carter has termed it, have re-allowed such contributions.
To me, this is of concern to us all, not just to Sanders supporters. And know this, DNC: You are not helping either Mrs Clinton or the Democratic Party with these kinds of actions. Instead, it is one more good reason for me to donate again to Bernie. That might not be seen fair by Clinton supporters. But to me, what is not fair is the ‘business as usual’ mentality that is undermining our political system, the way in which our elections are bought and the impact this has had on the lives of ordinary Americans...not least the increasing inequality.
Thank you for the ban you imposed, President Obama! I hope that everyone who cares about this issue, whoever we are supporting, will speak out to the DNC and support the effort you made to reduce the amount of corrupting ‘influence money’ in our politics.