Phenominal reporting by The Guardian has revealed just how deep AIPAC dollars go throughout the U.S. legislative and executive branches of government. The tactics described sound straight out of an episode of The Sopranos. It is clear that democracy, our republic, is farther gone than anyone wants to admit. The question is: how much longer until we no longer have a choice? Please sign the petition today, and share from your platforms. We must keep pushing, keep refusing to move money through the economy as much as possible, and stop this crazy train before the point of no return.
THE GUARDIAN - FULL ARTICLE
Tom Perkins, with data reporting by Will Craft
Wed 10 Jan 2024 07.30 EST
"Guardian analysis finds top recipients of pro-Israel contributions in last elections were centrist Democrats who defeated progressives in primaries
Congress members who were more supportive of Israel at the start of the Gaza war received over $100,000 more on average from pro-Israel donors during their last election than those who most supported Palestine, a Guardian analysis of campaign data shows.
Those who took more money most often called for US military support and backed Israel’s response, even as Gaza’s civilian death toll mounted, the findings show. The analysis, which looks at positions taken during the war’s first six weeks, does not prove any particular member changed their position because they received pro-Israel campaign donations. However, some campaign finance experts who viewed the data argue that donor spending helped fuel Congress’s overwhelming support for Israel.
The analysis compared campaign contributions from pro-Israel groups and individuals to almost every member of the current Congress with each lawmaker’s statements on the war through mid-November.
About 82% of Congress members were more supportive of Israel, and just 9% more supportive of Palestine during this period. The remainder had “mixed” views. Legislators categorized as supportive of Israel received about $125,000 on average during their last election, while those supportive of Palestine on average took about $18,000.
The volume and breadth of the donors’ spending is considerable: over $58m went to current Congress members, and all but 33 received donations."