The Candid Conservative: Special Interests and the Buy America Plan

Interest groups have more sway over elections than voters, purchasing America one politician at a time.

By Dr. Carl Mumpower

Misguided power is a corrupting influence in America as it is all over the world. For most of our history, however, the interests of the powerful have been dwarfed by a social order with greater devotion to the common good. That reality has been a central foundation for the longevity of the American Dream. Today, however, that balance between our common interests and special interests is in severe disorder.

There are over 11,000 lobbyists actively working Washington’s power grid on behalf of various special interests. The numbers of formal and informal special interest advocates at the state and local level are difficult to determine but no less daunting. Each year billions are spent leveraging our politicians to address one “special” need or another – in each and every case at the expense of the larger good.

We should not make the mistake of believing that lobbyists are mostly backed by elegantly suited men smoking cigars in concealed rooms of power. Special interest groups that many of us support, including the AARP, Military Officers Association, and Chamber of Commerce are seeking to rob America just as surely as the mystical “Illuminati.” A quick look at the legislative agenda of these and most other member organizations will reveal self-service as job one.

Our constitutional government is restrained to providing a few services we cannot provide for ourselves. Our current government is devoted to pretending to do everything. In the midst of the chaos, our tax code, regulations, and legislation are constantly being tweaked to the whims of those with the clout and resources to bend the will of our representatives. It is a marriage of graft and self-service concealed behind a pretense of benevolence.

A case in point would be the recent lending institution bailout. Of 8,500 banks in America, less than 10% received bail-out funds. In fact 30 organizations received 90% of the monies distributed. All of the funds went into organizations that were caught up in the government-fed sub-prime mortgage crisis. The quasi-governmental special interest organizations Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae received a large share of bailout funds and are primed for additional infusions going forward. In short, though greedy businessmen abound, incompetent politicians were the greatest beneficiary of the bank bailout. They were caught by policies that pushed housing loans without accountability. They almost collapsed our economy, and then used the Fed to evade accountability and retain power.

Special interest groups, or more accurately, selfish interest groups, are firmly in control of America’s government. Recent experience illuminates their inability to curb their appetites for more power, money, and exemption from accountability. Our self-correcting system insures this train of corruption is doomed to crash. It remains to be seen as to how many innocents will perish along with the guilty.

The future of America is being purchased one politician at a time. Consider these statistics:

4 out of 5 campaign contribution dollars come from organizations.
9 out of 10 dollars go to incumbents–-from either party.
Incumbents now have a 94% win rate compared to 60% in times past.
In 2008 congress had a 9% approval rating, but 96% of incumbents were reelected.
In tight races, organizations routinely contribute to candidates from both parties.
A majority of congressional candidate’s dollars come from out of their district.

There is other telling data, but reality points to a system where money and power insures itself. Once a candidate is in office, a system of contributor support from PAC’s, other candidates, party apparatus, and lobbyists almost guarantees reelection.

If you have ever wondered how politicians can continue to smile as they go against the majority opinion in America, it is because they know it is not you and I that elect them. It is the money they receive from other sources that underwrites their return. Deep pockets, and the electorate’s tendency to vote on the basis of image and name recognition matched with slick campaigns, bring even the worse politicians back to the trough again and again. Politicians do not fear us because they know they are not beholden to us and that they can successfully manipulate us.

That is not to say that the politicians control our America. These are simply the front men for the folks with the real money and power. In some cases that would be individuals such as George Soros. More often it would be businesses and organizations devoted to their special interests–-all of whom are active participants in a “Buy America Plan” that is purchasing our future.

A two term conservative voice and former Vice-Mayor on Asheville, North Carolina’s city council, Dr. Mumpower was a persisting voice of reason and governmental restraint in his home city. The Republican candidate for the NC-11 Congressional seat against Heath Shuler in 2008, he attracted support from both sides of the political spectrum due to his emphasis on fairness and consistent principled service. He refused all PAC, party, and special interest money and challenged his party to stand for its core principles or stand aside. Dr. Mumpower is married, has two grown children and two grandchildren, and is a life long resident of WNC. You can learn more about Dr. Mumpower and enjoy daily “Conservative Candor” podcasts at his website, The Candid Conservative. Photo by Max Cooper.