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#campaignfinance

4 posts2 participants0 posts today

"Ever receptive to the demands of rentiers, oligarchs, non-doms and corporations, Labour’s oh-so-clever strategists are moronically giftwrapping the country for Nigel Farage"

I don't know why George Monbiot – and other commentators – are surprised at this. #Labour has chosen to seek its income from those 'rentiers, oligarchs, non-doms and corporations'. They are its paymasters. We aren't. Of course it serves them.

#PoliticalDonations
#CampaignFinance
#Corruption
#UKPol

theguardian.com/commentisfree/

The Guardian · How we can smash Britain’s two-party system for good at the next electionBy George Monbiot

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals grilled attorneys during oral arguments this week in a Houston-area case that could determine how the state’s ethics laws are enforced. There are implications for indicted Fort Bend County Judge KP George.

houstonpublicmedia.org/article

Houston Public Media · Texas’ highest criminal court rehears Houston-area case that could impact enforcement of ethics lawsBy Natalie Weber
Continued thread

In an example that may demonstrate how Trump's tariff policy is about amassing influence and not economic policy, a fossil fuel industry that donated to Trump in record amounts and remains closely tied to the regime through the numerous folks with industry ties appointed to the US administration, received an exemption from the tariffs.

theguardian.com/us-news/2025/a

‘Oligarchy’: Trump exempts big oil donors from tariffs package

"The exemption came after the fossil fuel industry poured $96m into Trump’s re-election campaign and affiliated political action committees, as he pledged to deregulate the sector and roll back environmental regulations. This was less than the $1bn Trump requested from the sector in an infamous meeting at his Mar-a-Lago club, but still constituted record levels of spending.

“Oil and gas billionaires just bought themselves an exemption from Trump’s tariffs,” Stevie O’Hanlon, spokesperson for youth-led environmental justice group the Sunrise Movement, said on Thursday. “While the rest of us have to deal with skyrocketing prices and rising temperatures, they’re sitting on their thrones and raking in billions. We need an end to this oligarchy now.”

In the first three months of his second term, Trump has made good on his promises to attack green policies. He has also maintained a cozy relationship with the industry, appointing an array of industry interests to his administration.

Last month, the president held a meeting with more than a dozen oil executives at the White House, where he floated an energy exemption from his tariff package, according to the Washington Post, with one source telling the outlet that it was unclear if Trump was making a joke or a serious policy pledge."

Because Trump's tariffs are effectively a regressive, compounding tax that therefore harms labor class people way more than it harms the wealthy, there's a valid argument that exempting fossil fuel products from the tariffs represents an effort to mitigate the increased costs of Trump's mafia-style shakedown on regular people. The problem with that idea of course, is that Trump himself is *directly* responsible for those increased costs due to these tariffs (again, which function as a regressive compounding tax on labor class people) as part of his destructive global trade war, and thus clearly does not give a fuck about consumers. What he does care about however, is an oil and gas industry that happily turned over vast sums of money to fuel his political career; who will now be exempt from the tariffs threatening to bankrupt other American businesses and millions of average people who don't benefit at all from fossil fuel lobby donations.

The Guardian · ‘Oligarchy’: Trump exempts big oil donors from tariffs packageBy Dharna Noor

Is wealth undermining democracy in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election? This pivotal contest is raising eyebrows, with unprecedented spending from heavyweights like Trump and Musk. As these elections reflect broader national tensions, Musk's staggering $277 million influence becomes a focal point of concern. The implications of such financial involvement raise critical questions about election integrity. Delve into the article for deeper insights on this urgent issue.

#WisconsinElection #Democracy #CampaignFinance #USPolitics #ElectionIntegrity
[Source](crooksandliars.com/2025/04/wis)

Crooks and Liars · Wisconsin Supreme Court Vote Is Referendum On Musk, Not TrumpBy John Amato

Guests are paying staggering amounts to dine with Trump! At Mar-a-Lago, exclusive events by MAGA Inc. allow access to the former President, with prices hitting $1 million for a dinner seat. Despite concerns about legality, these unique dinners are termed akin to a 'Papal audience.' Explore the implications of this exclusive access and what it means for campaign financing. Read more [here](crooksandliars.com/2025/03/the). #DonaldTrump #MAGA #CampaignFinance #MarALago

Crooks and Liars · They're Paying Millions To Speak With Yambo At Mar-A-LagoBy Susie Madrak