Further proof of why we need to kill campaign contributions

I write, repeatedly, on the many, many reasons why we need to kill campaign contributions, not least of which so we can get the big, ugly, corrupting money from the wealthy and corporations out of our election system and government.

This article from International Businsess Times is just more proof:

30 Major U.S. Corporations Paid More to Lobby Congress Than Income Taxes, 2008-2010

"By employing a plethora of tax-dodging techniques, 30 multi-million dollar American corporations expended more money lobbying Congress than they paid in federal income taxes between 2008 and 2010, ultimately spending approximately $400,000 every day -- including weekends -- during that three-year period to lobby lawmakers and influence political elections, according to a new report from the non-partisan Public Campaign."

As if that isn't sick and crazy enough, it goes on:

"Despite a growing federal deficit and the widespread economic instability that has swept the U.S since 2008, the companies in question managed to accumulate profits of $164 billion between 2008 and 2010, while receiving combined tax rebates totaling almost $11 billion. Moreover, Public Campaign reports these companies spent about $476 million during the same period to lobby the U.S. Congress, as well as another $22 million on federal campaigns, while in some instances laying off employees and increasing executive compensation."

This, above, is a reason why this is possible, too, of course:

"Of the 30 companies analyzed in the report, which include corporate giants such as General Electric, Verizon Communications, Wells Fargo (WFC), Mattel (MAT) and Boeing (BA), 29 of them managed to pay no federal taxes from 2008 to 2010."

These companies have access to our markets and must have our infrastructure--our highways and streets and sewer systems and airports and police, etc.--in order to function yet they pay NO TAXES?

There are so many reasons why we need to kill campaign contributions. Surely most Americans would agree. We need to begin this work.

It will only happen, we will only get campaign contributions (read: bribes) out of our nation if it comes from us, from the people.

We need to get started.

Links--

Original article: http://publicampaign.org/sites/default/files/ReportTaxDodgerLobbyingDec6.pdf

Original report: http://publicampaign.org/sites/default/files/ReportTaxDodgerLobbyingDec6.pdf