Meet the 25 Billionaires Who Control Everything

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Meet the 25 Billionaires Who ControlEverything

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 BYANDREI BURKE

The Brookings Institution just released a list of the 25 US billionaires with

the most political power

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The list is a part of Brookings Institution Governance Studies Director Darrell Wests

forthcoming bookBillionaires: Reflections on the Upper Crust. The book argues that the

wealthy are more politically engaged than the general public. Research has found that 99

percent of the top 1% of wealth holders vote in presidential elections, nearly double the

rate of the general public. This is likely due to the fact that the super wealthy know that

political engagement matters, and being involved in politics yields results. While the

general public is busy turning a cynical eye to elections, seeing little difference between

Democrats and Republicans, the ultra rich are buying up our government and influencing

domestic and foreign affairs.

West notes that much of the debate of how wealth influences politics suffers from an

ideological fallacy. Progressives raise alarm when conservative billionaires are politically

active, yet are quick to praise the efforts of the left-leaning rich. Alternately, conservatives

fear when liberal billionaires put money into elections but celebrate the advocacy efforts of

their own billionaires and special interest groups. West argues that each side misses the

challenges raised by billionaire activism for the entire system. The extensive resources and

advocacy efforts of the super wealthy provoke concerns about political influence,

transparency and accountability. During this time of high income concentration and

dysfunctional political institutions it is important that the general public understand just

how much money impacts politics.

Heres the top five billionaires with the most political power:

1. The Koch Brothers

Topping the list are Charles and David Koch, the multibillionaire owners of Koch

Industries, who in 2014 alone have spent well over $30 million in campaign ads targeting

vulnerable Democrats in a number of states Senate races. That number is expected to rise

to $290 million by Election Day.

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California); the campaign against Obamas re-election; Mitt Romney; Scott Walkers

campaign for governor of Wisconsin; anti-union groups; keeping young members of the

Democratic Party from voting and more.

2. Michael Bloomberg

The former New York City Mayor spent $650 million on his political campaigns and

advocacy activities. He has currently devoted $50 million to fight the NRA and promote

his views on gun violence using Independence USA, his Super PAC.

3. Tom Steyer

Steyer made his fortune as a hedge fund manager. Like Bloomberg, Steyer is a billionaire

concerned with leftist political causes such as raising public awareness about climate

change. He announced that he plans to spend $100 million during the 2014 midterms

through his NextGen Climate Action PAC.

4. Sheldon Adelson

Adelson is the CEO of the Las Vegas Sands corporation. In 2012, he spent $93 million to

defeat President Barack Obama. While he was unsuccessful, after the election he promised

to spend twice as much next time around. Republican presidential candidates look at him

as a serious source of campaign finance. Recently, Adelson held a so-called Sheldon

primary in which four prospective candidates visited Las Vegas for personal meetings.

Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker and John Kasich each showed and delivered a

major speech. The winner of this money primary can expect a hug super-PAC expenditure.

5. George Soros

Soros is a major supporter of progressive grassroots organizations in the United States. He

funds causes such as social justice, political rights and HIV prevention through his Open

Society Foundations. In 2012, Soros provided $1 million to President Obamas reelection



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Its pretty despondent to think that American politics is like a game of capture the flag

being played between a small group of ultra rich. While we may root for our team to win

the game, it is at the expense of losing our own voice. But knowledge is power, and never

has the need been greater for policies that promote better disclosure, governance and

opportunity.

About Andrei Burke

Andrei Burke is a citizen journalist and alternative & independent news blogger. He

currently resides in the Los Angeles area.



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metalious

This list is a joke. Because the people who "control everything" don't show up in lists like this.

krinks

Right. Where are the owners of the Fed as well as the other Central Banks of the Earth?

Anonymous

Fun fact: Wealth = power

owlafaye

Correct...and the wealthiest person in the world is not who they say it is. The Rothschild wealth is

measured in 100's of trillions alone.

And, where is all the gold?

Ivan Cabrera

where are rothchilds, the walton family themselves have 125 Billion dllrs in their empire........you kidding me

?

babytalk

The Rothchilds don't count their money in billions......they count it in dynasties.Billionairs are

shooting marbles in the alley.

Vee

are they from US?

unity100

Title says 25, there is fucking 5.

BuelahMan

Is this a bar mitzvah invitation list?

Harold Eselsbrecher



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Meet the 25 Billionaires Who Control Everything