If you haven’t already heard, a major issue during the midterm elections has been the question of where exactly the money for campaign ads is coming from.

CNN contributor and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile hit the nail straight in the head when she commented on the mysterious funding as being a reform catalyst for future amendments.

I typically disagree with CNN opinion writers because I feel their opinion is an ‘Inception’-type mind game from a bad conspiracy movie, but Brazile has definitely changed that and stole my heart in the process.

This issue isn’t simply a Republican or Democratic issue — it’s the whole process. A multitude of political runners are receiving enormous amounts of money from undisclosed donors, many of whom are not even American citizens. This process is allowing foreign corporations to funnel money toward campaign ads that are in their favor.

In her Oct. 7 article for CNN.com, ‘Mystery Funds Undermine Democracy,’ Brazile wrote, ‘For the first time in decades, that money may be coming from foreign corporations, including some controlled by foreign governments. The Chamber of Commerce will spend $75 million this year to defeat Democrats.’

I can only speak for myself, but the notion that foreign corporations have the ability to fund campaigns that benefit them is horrifying. I looked further into the matter to understand how the Chamber of Commerce, something so ‘American,’ could be involved in something so blatantly wrong. Turns out, the truth was right in front of my face. Trade associations like the Chamber of Commerce are organized as a 501(c)(6) institution, which means they ‘can raise and spend unlimited funds without ever disclosing any of its donors.’ 

OK, so the connections could still draw question marks, but let me present the entire money web. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has offices in other countries and even assisted in the founding of foreign chapters known as the Business Councils. Keep in mind some of these chapters and councils are controlled by foreign governments. Since the midterm elections began, the Chamber of Commerce has been fundraising from these overseas entities to beat out Democratic candidates who, on average, fight outsourcing jobs and support free trade.

This backdoor funding helps groups like Americans for Prosperity. The group is total BS, but no one really knows that until he or she starts doing some research.

Now if what I just said isn’t a soggy bowl of cornflakes, I don’t know what is. The liberal blog that did the report on the Chamber of Commerce, Think Progress, pointed out that the actions of the U.S. institution could cause the creation of campaign finance bans that illegalize the use of foreign corporations in endorsement positions. I have to side with Brazile.

If we are to allow foreign corporations or any type of institution to fund campaigns that advance their interest, we are allowing the destruction of democracy. The only individuals who should decide the winner of an election in America are U.S. citizens. There is always a need for campaigns to be funded, but there is no need to reach out past those whose votes matter the most.

Brazile said it best: ‘For the sake of the American people, I hope that our next Congress takes up these measures with their constituents’ best interests — and not the interests of mystery group ‘Americans for _________’ — at heart.’

John Sumpter is a senior political science major. His column appears every Monday, and he can be reached at jfsumpte@syr.edu.

Published on October 18, 2010 at 12:00 pm