Bunning, Bought & Paid For

So Jim Bunning (R-Ky) somehow killed unemployment extensions and the weak-kneed Democrats let him get away with it.  I'll quote my great-granny Lou Ada (Blackaby) Farmer, who knew a thing or two about Kentucky politics:  "If they're not crooked going in, they're crooked coming out."  And Bunning is coming out, not running for re-election, no longer pretending to represent the people, "retiring" with his unspent campaign funds and his congressional perks to (I imagine) a cushy life further cushioned by speaker's fees & lobbyist loot & pundit payoffs, so-called "honoraria."

The Supreme Court has decided that money is speech and corporations are people.  That's their worst decision since Dred Scott.  The Dred Scott decision immediately sparked a financial panic and directly led to the American Civil War. What will be the consequences of the black-robed vultures' "money is speech and corporations are people" decision?  Only time will tell, but it doesn't look good to me.  If corporations have become people, then what becomes of people?

The Center For Responsive Politics has a fascinating and informative website called OpenSecrets.org that tells where the politicians' financial loyalty lies, whose interests they are really looking out for. Who owns them.  Here is Jim Bunning's data

Cycle Fundraising, 2005 - 2010, Campaign Cmte and Leadership PAC

Raised: $1,688,320
Spent: $1,317,594
Cash on Hand: $478,132
Debts: $0
Last Report: Thursday, December 31, 2009

Top 5 Contributors, 2005-2010, Campaign Cmte and Leadership PACContributor Total Indivs PACs
FMR Corp $35,600 $15,600 $20,000
Securities Industry & Financial Mkt Assn $21,000 $0 $21,000
NorPAC $20,350 $17,210 $3,140
PricewaterhouseCoopers $20,108 $0 $20,108
Indep Insurance Agents & Brokers/America $20,000 $0 $20,000

Top 5 Industries, 2005-2010, Campaign Cmte and Leadership PACIndustry Total Indivs PACs
Insurance $134,633 $16,450 $118,183
Securities & Investment $108,800 $30,500 $78,300
Accountants $100,558 $6,450 $94,108
Health Professionals $92,550 $48,550 $44,000
Real Estate $70,250 $13,750 $56,500

So Jim Bunning works for Big Finance and "Health Professionals."  Visit OpenSecrets.org and find out who your congress-critter is really working for.  Thanks for stopping by, see ya next time.  I gotta go sharpen my pitchfork.