Why is GOP fighting disclosure?

[Elmore Furth]

Too many facts for the voters is apparently not good for democracy. Big Money Democracy, that is.

For years, campaign finance debaters all agreed on one thing: disclosure. Now President Barack Obama ponders an executive order to require federal contractors to make public their campaign spending.

Last year, of course, Citizens United overturned the ban on direct corporate spending in campaigns. At the same time, by an 8-1 margin, the justices resoundingly endorsed disclosure.

Now, the notion of disclosure gives these same lawmakers the vapors. They warn that old-style corruption would pervade the bidding process, and fret about an imaginary White House enemies list. Sunlight, suddenly, is no longer the best disinfectant.

Next year, we can expect a tsunami of secret money into our elections. Obama says he values transparency. If he has a chance to pry open secrecy, he should. The public should know whose checkbooks are paying for all those political ads – and what favors they are seeking in return.





Why is GOP fighting disclosure?

[DJ13]

1. The big defense contractors usually support the GOP

Disclosure would expose the millions they waste supporting the crazies on the right.

[The Magistrate]

2. For The Same Reason, Sir, Whores Keep their Trick Books Concealed

The customer pays not only for service, but also for silence....