Follow the money

[sqlbullet]

Just came across this article about the funding of the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility.

http://onlygunsandmoney.blogspot.com/2014/09/dingy-harry-is-right-billionaires-are.html?m=1

In the article the list the top 6 contributors:


1.  Nick Hanauer, $1,485,000; net worth $1 billion, venture capitalist, Second Avenue Investing

2.  Bill and Melinda Gates, $1,050,000; net worth $72 billion, No. 1 Forbes 400, co-founder Microsoft

3.  Michael Bloomberg*, $1,030,000; net worth $31 billion, No. 10 Forbes 400, founder Bloomberg LP

4.  Connie and Steve Ballmer, $830,000; net worth $18 billion, No. 21 Forbes 400, former CEO Microsoft, owner LA Clippers

5.  Paul Allen, $500,000; net worth $15.8 billion, No 26 Forbes 400, co-founder Microsoft, owner Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers

6.  Ann Pigott Wyckoff, $276,600; net worth est. multi-millions, heiress and daughter of the late Paccar Corporation president Paul Pigott. Paccar manufactures Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Leyland trucks.

*Bloomberg's contribution was funneled through MAIG and Everytown for Gun Safety (sic).

In fact, these 6 people made up 72% of the total receipts of the anti-gun group.  Small contributors made up only 1% of the total.

[The Earl o Sammich]

First we are not a democracy, we are a Republic.  Otherwise everyone would have figured out that we can vote ourselves a free house, food, cell phone, medical treatment, retirement, .....


....where was I going with this??

[sqlbullet]

We were a republic, but a pretty much all the check and balances are gone now.  Not sure what that makes us.

[EdMc]

We were a republic, but a pretty much all the check and balances are gone now.  Not sure what that makes us.

Sadly it seems we are becoming a democracy, with it's inherent failures. 'Dictatorship of the majority'.... or some such term. Gimme money...I vote for thee.

As for your original post,  I understand that individuals give donations for tax purposes, and for humanitarian reasons. So, give it to something that uses the money for a purpose, like the Salvation Army that helps people. Not groups that advance social engineering or use 80% of the money for salaries and more fund raising.  The hubris involved I cannot understand. There are many things that I don't care for, nor support,  but it isn't really my business so I let it be.

I once served as a draftee in a foreign war and am now considered a 'domestic terrorist' by Homeland Security. How idiotic is that? We live in a theatre of the absurd. Perhaps enough people will wake up one day...perhaps not.     

[Geeman]

How many of the 6 persons listed have armed security?   I know Bloomberg does.  Do any of the six listed carry themselves?

I'm guessing it's ok for me and not for you argument.  They are rich so they can have their way.

Greg

[sqlbullet]

Tends to the money talks issue.

Or, more specifically the availability cascade.  With enough money you can have something repeated enough people will believe it.

It is a good example of a case where spending limits in political arenas would be good.