...if you're a foreign national!
Reasons follow. Please read over the jump if you're a stinking dirty foreigner like me.
Update: From the comments discussing ways around this... please don't try to game the system! OMG the core message HAS to be DON'T DO IT!
I'm sure there are people like me all around the world. We're foreigners, but stay glued to the Kos for our political news because we like to keep our ears to the ground. We know US foreign policy affects us all deeply, from little things like declaring us criminals if we play DVDs on non-approved equipment, to dropping bombs on us if our governments pursue the "wrong" policies, or (like Australia) embroiling allies in pointless wars.
We are not disinterested observers. Sometimes US policy means life or death for us.
So, it's tempting to read the continuous calls for contributions that appear on Kos, do your bit and use your handy VISA card to pop some money harmlessly to your desired candidate.
Well, I'm here to tell you (because I haven't seen anyone here make the point) DON'T! JUST DO NOT DO IT! Making foreign contributions to US elections is the worst possible thing you can do.
- It's illegal. US political parties are only allowed to accept contributions from US citizens or lawfully-admitted permanent residents.
- They don't want it. Foreign contributions are illegal and therefore can never match the legal contributions, and you will get no thanks.
- You'll be caught. Not just you, but the political party you think you are helping will be badly damaged if the auditors look through the books.
Please please please, I beg you. Ignore the pleas for money. Trust the US to do the right thing and vote the right way without interference.
...er... eventually.
UPDATE - lawfully admitted permanent residents can contribute.