Honest Graft

Abraham Lincoln once wrote about a crisis that “unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country.”

He saw a day when “corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.”

That day is now upon us.

In 2000 and 2001, lobbyists spent $3,050,003,727 . . . soft money contributions ran $617,620,864 É PAC’s pumped $329,971,500 and individuals gave another $960,737,291 to federal candidates É for a grand total of $4.9 billion!

This IAM Journal shows how honest graft—all those nefarious but legal forms of political money―buy more than access. They can buy an Act of Congress. It’s enough to make Honest Abe shed a tear.

But the money power need not prevail. By registering and voting, you can end this era of corruption.

Your vote is the antidote. Use it decisively.
 

Tom Buffenbarger, IAM President