Bernie Sanders: Billionaires Buy Candidates
on Thursday, May 7, 2015Bernie Sanders Money Quotation saying due to Citizens United Supreme Court decision, the rich can purchase a win for their chosen political candidate. Bernie Sanders said:
“We now have a political situation where billionaires are literally able to buy elections and candidates” — Bernie Sanders
In this quote, Bernie Sanders is sharply criticizing the influence of large financial contributions on the American political system. His view seems to be that with the massive amounts that wealthy donors and super PACs are now able to spend on campaigns, elections are essentially being determined by a small number of billionaires and select corporations.
Sanders implies that candidates are now for “sale” to the highest bidder, as those who can raise hundreds of millions or more have an overwhelming advantage in competitive races.
The quote conveys Sanders’ belief that reforms are needed to curb the disproportionate impact of big money in politics in order to restore integrity to the democratic process and ensure it is responsive to public interests rather than private wealth alone.