It almost ruined my life -- and now it can ruin your life too.
It combines political concerns with the power of gossip.
Beware of Newsmeat's FEC search.
And if you click that link, beware of clicking the tab called "Hall of Fame."
And if you click that tab, beware of clicking the link for "Celebrities."
Because if you do, you may be up all night, like I was.
Here, I'll take you through it. Remember, kids, don't try this at home.
(Unless you wanna.)
In a week where we've been reminded of the importance of contributors -- because while people hate what the Republicans are doing on tax cuts when measured per capita, they love when the Republicans are doing when measured by campaign contribution -- it's nice to take a moment and just look at where political money in federal races comes from.
I looked through the list of celebrity contributions one night a while back and I could not stop.
It made me realize one thing, though: "Hooray for Hollywood!"
Here, take a look at the top dozen contributors from the world of entertainment:
Steve Bing -- $8.9 million in contributions since 1978
89% to Democratic candidatess, 0% to Repubs, 11% to special interests like the DNC and DCCC.
Candidates include Xavier Becerra, Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, John Hall, Keith Ellison, Tom Harkin, Pelosi, Durbin, Franken.
Damn! Thank you, Steve Bing!
Lew Wasserman, $1.73 million, 98% to Democrats, 1% to Republicans, balance to "special" (non-candidate) interests (calculate this for anyone by subtracting D+R %s from 100%)
Jeffrey Katzenberg, $1.48 million, 95% to Dems, 0% to Repubs
Berry Gordy, $1.29 million, 97% to Dems, 0% to Repubs
Denise Rich (a songwriter), $1.16 million, 99% to Dems, 0% to Repubs
Norman Lear, $1.04 million, 84% Dems, 1% to Repubs
Alan Horn, $913,000, 90% Dems, 1% Repubs
Don Henley, $784,000, 89% Dem, 1% Repubs
Barbara Streisand, $734,000, 90% Dems, 0% Repubs
Rob Reiner, $684,000, 94% Dems, 0% Repubs
Michael Douglas, $631,000, 96% Dems, 1% Repubs
Harvey Weinstein, $582,000, 82% Dems, 0% Repubs
You don't find a celebrity, ranked in order of amount contributed, who has given more than 1% to Republicans until Marc Andreeson ($463,000), and he's 84% to 12% for Dems.
You don't find a celebrity on the other side until Lionel Hampton ($292,000), 96% GOP to 1% Dem.
You know who sucks, though? Some Bestselling Authors. Boooo!
Tom Clancy, $237,000, 100% GOP
Patricia Cornwell, $213,000, 63% GOP to 37% Dem
Dean Koontz, $113,000, 100% GOP
Mary Higgins Clark, $62,000, 92% GOP, 2% Dems
Tony Robbins, $32,000, 66% GOP, 34% Dem
What the hell is the matter with best-selling authors?
(Is it because you can't ghostwrite acting or producing?)
You don't even want to look at sports figures and business execs.
What nuggets have you dug up?
Update: By the way, George Soros? $3.67 million. Ranked 4th among billionaires, behind Harold Simmons ($6.5MM, almost all to GOP & conservative interests), T. Boone Pickens ($5.5MM, almost all to GOP & conservative intersts), and Dick "Amway and Orlando Magic" DeVos ($4.14MM, just guess.)
Where is Glenn Beck's feature on how Harold Simmons runs the country? With puppets!