OpenSecrets.Org, also known as the Center for Responsive Politics, keeps track of the largest contributors to both the Republican or Democratic party. These are the top 20 donors between 1989 and 2008. Do note that this period includes Bush I and II, B illClinton as well as Obama’s election cycles. The website includes lots of details by election year as well as by company.
What I find remarkable is that the list is dominated by unions in this period. Consider this the next time you hear claims that US democracy is captured by evil “corporate interests”. Corporations, such as AT&T and Citibank, actually give as much to one party as the other, ie, they hedge their bets. Unions, on the other hand, are lopsided toward the Democratic party.
|
1 |
ORGANIZATION
AT&T Inc |
Total
$43,501,240 |
%Dem
44% |
%Rep
55% |
|
| 2 | American Fedn of State, County & Municipal Employees | $40,965,173 | 98% | 1% | |
| 3 | National Assn of Realtors | $35,179,013 | 48% | 51% | |
| 4 | Goldman Sachs | $31,183,662 | 64% | 35% | |
| 5 | Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | $30,920,696 | 97% | 2% | |
| 6 | American Assn for Justice | $30,734,429 | 90% | 9% | |
| 7 | National Education Assn | $29,908,625 | 92% | 6% | |
| 8 | Laborers Union | $28,201,600 | 92% | 7% | |
| 9 | Service Employees International Union | $27,510,257 | 95% | 3% | |
| 10 | Teamsters Union | $27,402,304 | 92% | 6% | |
| 11 | Carpenters & Joiners Union | $27,368,258 | 89% | 10% | |
| 12 | Communications Workers of America | $26,748,746 | 99% | 0% | |
| 13 | Citigroup Inc | $26,562,905 | 50% | 49% | |
| 14 | American Medical Assn | $26,213,449 | 39% | 60% | |
| 15 | American Federation of Teachers | $25,996,071 | 98% | 0% | |
| 16 | United Auto Workers | $25,767,002 | 98% | 0% | |
| 17 | Machinists & Aerospace Workers Union | $24,793,477 | 98% | 0% | |
| 18 | National Auto Dealers Assn | $24,048,808 | 31% | 68% | |
| 19 | Altria Group | $23,869,891 | 28% | 71% | |
| 20 | United Food & Commercial Workers Union | $23,742,074 | 98% | 1% |
Javier Aparicio dot net 