I only got a B in my PoliSci class, so my understanding of politics is thin. But, my understanding is likely on par with most Americans. So, when I read on opensecrets.org that Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd has received $281,038 in campaign contributions since 2003 from AIG, I am forced to be skeptical. Is Senator Dodd really looking out for me, one of his constituents as he writes bailout bills? Or is he looking out for the people who finance his campaigns? This past week’s debacle with the AIG bonuses really calls his, and all elected officials’ loyalties, into question.
The $281,038 does include AIG PAC money. According to OpenSecrets AIG’s PAC has contributed $20,000 to Senator Dodd. Do the math and $261,038 is leftover. These funds came from AIG’s “individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals’ immediate families.” Fundraising is a large part of a senator’s day. There are many phone calls to make and dinners to attend. Relationships must form, some deeper than others.
When a bill comes before the senator, a bill that could severely cut the bonuses of the people who have wined and dined with him, held his fundraisers at their homes and financed his re-election, is it possible for that senator to remain objective? Is he still looking out for his constituents?
Campaign finance reform is way overdue. I don’t know if Senator Dodd has been objective or not (his waffling on CNN this week suggests he is unsure himself), but just the mere presence of a conflict of interest should be a red flag.
Please leave a comment if you think I’m wrong or if you agree. I would like to hear what others think about this,
Our political system is seriously broken. Its time for a major overhaul. Obahma has made some big promises but he will be powerless with the rest of the chuckle heads still in Washington. Its high time that both parties stop playing the blame game and get to work for the country. Dodd and his pal Barney Franks need to just go away
When you read about these sorts of conflicts it may be easy to overlook some other factors at play here.
Even if none of the highly bonused AIG folks contributed to his campaign, those that live in CT would still be his constituents. It’s his responsibility to represent their interests as well as the rest of ours.
Further, Connecticut, like New York and practically every other state, is looking at record declines in income tax revenues. It might be in the State of Connecticut’s best interest to try to hold onto whatever of that money it can.
Did Dodd do the right thing? Probably not. But it’s possible that his motives weren’t completely abhorrent.