New Deal loopholes need to be patched
In 1940 FDR passed legislation that banned corporations that are under contract with the federal government from making contributions to sitting members of Congress. This was part of the New Deal intended to strengthen the middle class and prevent the super-rich from the Gilded Age from running the federal government to their own advantage.
Until March 2014 this law prevented contractors from giving money to individuals, parties, PACs, and super PACs which would tilt legislation in favor of the donating corporations. The Federal Elections Commissions gutted this rule when it allowed a contribution of $2.3 million from Chevron to flow through to Speaker of the House John Boehner. The reasoning was that Chevron Corp., which made the contribution, was not under contract with the government. Chevron USA, however, was under contract. The two corporations were called “separate and distinct.”
But how “separate and distinct” can they be when Chevron Corp. owns 100 percent of Chevron USA’s stock? The two companies share the same mailing address and the same CEO.
Because this donation to Boehner was allowed, other large corporations are creating various divisions so that one entity can make contributions — bribes — to congressional members while another division benefits from government contracts.
Unless the Federal Elections Commissions does something to close this loophole, this part of FDR’s New Deal is useless and wealthy corporations will use it to further corrupt our democracy and bring us that much closer to plutocracy.
Advocate nails zeitgeist
I have been reading the Advocate since I worked there in 1978, and I’ve seen it go up and go down and for most of the past 10 years I have been disappointed in the quality of the writing and the overall product.
I have to say, however, that with the new leadership, new blood and the range of local and regional features you’ve been publishing I am again eagerly picking it up each week.
The feature you did about how you know you’re from Northampton (“32 Ways to Tell You’re a Real Northamptoner,” Feb. 12-18, 2015) was spot on. You nailed the zeitgeist of the town. Many of the stories by Hunter Styles, Amanda Drane, and Kristin Palpini have been insightful and on the money. Congratulations for becoming a must-read again for the Valley after all of these years!
Correction
The United States has 5 percent of the world’s people, but 25 percent of the world’s prison population. A “Scene Here” article in the Feb. 12-18 edition of the Advocate contained an incorrect figure.
