The Merkinist

Close Ties to Goldman Enrich Romney’s Public and Private Lives

Mr. Romney’s positions and pedigree have helped draw to his side major donors in the financial world. The securities and investment industry has given more money to Mr. Romney than any other industry, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, and some of its leading figures have donated millions of dollars to Restore Our Future, the “super PAC” bolstering Mr. Romney’s campaign. Goldman employees are also the biggest source of donations to Free & Strong America PAC, a group Mr. Romney founded but no longer controls… But other elements of Mr. Romney’s personal and business ties to Goldman may prove more controversial.

Instead of having journalists tip toe around things, saying candidates’ umbilical connection to Wall Street “may prove controversial” and that it “draws criticism,” can we just call the total big business domination of our candidates what it is? Just call it bribery and corruption.

Then, instead of subjecting us to watching outlets covering dispassionately the preposterous farse of one corporate-owned candidate attacking another, just ban corporate contributions altogether and require candidates to show their tax returns.

That way, our politicians aren’t controlled by big business, and we can actually talk about real issues, not watch a bunch of rich guys bullshit about who is wrong whilst holding the key to their own plush closet of skeletons.