Civics 101 Why does corruption matter?
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Oct 15, 2024 David Sirota, editor in chief of The Lever and host of Master Plan, dives deep into the complexities of political corruption. He discusses how corruption shapes policy and erodes trust in democracy, emphasizing the need for citizen activism, especially around issues like prescription drug prices. Sirota highlights the historical roots of political corruption from Nixon’s era, revealing the ongoing challenges of campaign finance reform. He advocates for transparency and collective action to combat the financial influence undermining democratic integrity.
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Drug Trips to Canada
- Bernie Sanders ran a campaign where he took seniors to Canada to buy cheaper prescription drugs.
- Despite the bill's passage, the Clinton administration used executive authority to kill the program.
Chicken and Egg
- It's unclear whether donations cause votes or if donations are given because of anticipated votes.
- Linking donations to votes is difficult due to various donation methods and concealment tactics.
McCain-Feingold Act
- John McCain campaigned against corruption in 2000, leading to the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law.
- This law restricted unlimited funds for parties and corporate funding for certain campaign ads.