In his ‘A Closer Look’ segment, Seth Meyers examines the New York Time’s shocking report that a mere 158 wealthy families make up 50% of all political campaign donations. It’s not presumptuous to believe that there are at least 158 people whose calls are always taken by ambitious politicians. Of course the 158 families do not contribute out of a sense of noblesse oblige. Laws passed by Congress are – in large part a response to the needs of the elite number.
This is grim news, but Seth makes the medicine a bit easier to swallow with a dose of humor.For that matter, the extent to which candidates will humiliate themselves in an effort to suck up to the golden families is extremely entertaining. In the hopes of grasping a few few million dollars, candidates submit themselves to ridiculous events – like Mitt Romney’s ski weekend, or more accurately, “a summer camp for millionaires.” Real events at Mitt’s money grab included: Sunrise Yoga, Horseback Riding with Ann Romney, Scenic Hot Air Balloon Ride – I’ll skip the obvious joke. The “highlight of the event” reportedly was Flag Football with Marco Rubio – which calls for a repeat of the video in which Rubio playfully KO’d a small child while playing ball. It never gets old!
In August the Koch brothers became every Republican candidate’s pal, when they announced that there was $900 million up for grabs! Break out the unicycles and high wires, whomever entertains ‘The Brothers’ best will be rolling in campaign dough. Donald Trump may bleat about it, but higher taxes for the rich, and an abolition of corporate welfare are a pipe dream without campaign reform!