Whether you are voting Republican or Democrat, one thing is certain. Money and U.S. politics have long been intertwined. As a result, campaign contributions significantly influence the political process and the mindset of the American voter. In the Frontline documentary, “Big Sky, Big Money”, reporter Kai Ryssdal discusses the controversial role of these campaign contributions in the political process. Although, PACs and Super PACs have been highly controversial, their effectiveness in disseminating information, garnering support, and precipitating disdain cannot be denied. PACs or also known as Political Action Committees are organizations that privately raise money in an effort to influence elections or legislation. Unlike Political Action Committees, Super PACs are restricted from making direct contributions to a candidate’s campaign or political party but are
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the Federal Election Commission, the court ruled that limits on corporate and union spending to influence elections was a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech. Since the First Amendment prohibits the Court from restricting independent expenditures by nonprofit organizations, the court concluded that independent expenditures, including those made by corporations, do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption. As a result of this ruling, Super PACs came into existence and with it came the right for both individuals and corporations to make unlimited contributions towards their respective committees. In the Frontline documentary, “Big Sky, Big Money”, Kai Ryssdal investigates Western Tradition Partnership (WTP), which is a 501(c)(4). A 501(c)(4) organization operates under similar rules and regulations as Super PACs but unlike Super PACs, 501(c)(4)s are not required to disclose their donors. Without any names, addresses, or phone numbers, the controversy behind these committees and organizations become quite
the Federal Election Commission, the court ruled that limits on corporate and union spending to influence elections was a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech. Since the First Amendment prohibits the Court from restricting independent expenditures by nonprofit organizations, the court concluded that independent expenditures, including those made by corporations, do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption. As a result of this ruling, Super PACs came into existence and with it came the right for both individuals and corporations to make unlimited contributions towards their respective committees. In the Frontline documentary, “Big Sky, Big Money”, Kai Ryssdal investigates Western Tradition Partnership (WTP), which is a 501(c)(4). A 501(c)(4) organization operates under similar rules and regulations as Super PACs but unlike Super PACs, 501(c)(4)s are not required to disclose their donors. Without any names, addresses, or phone numbers, the controversy behind these committees and organizations become quite