Pay-to-play schemes are more common in politics than are campaign events
It is common knowledge that billions of dollars flow through the hands of DC lobbyists into the coffers of politicians and their political organizations for the purpose of influencing elections. Savvy politicians with low morals or scruples have become quite wealthy on pay-to-play transactions. The main problem with pay-to-play transactions is that the goal of the person paying the politician is often somewhat at odds with the best interests of the majority of Americans.
Bill Clinton and his cronies robbed the poor native Indians of Oklahoma by demanding a sizeable donation in exchange for Clinton's influence, and the request was ignored after the donation was made. That was dishonest, illegal, and inhumane.
S. Rept. 105-167 - INVESTIGATION OF ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH 1996 FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS105th Congress (1997-1998)
Committee Report
Despite the limited cooperation of key witnesses, the
Committee gathered enough facts to reach the following
conclusion. This chapter in the DNC's 1996 fund-raising efforts
is among the most sordid. In brief, Democratic fund-raisers led
the tribes, who were politically naive, to believe that making
a large contribution would secure them the long-sought Fort
Reno lands. The tribes made contributions to the DNC, received
encouragement about their land claim from many quarters,
including the President himself, but ultimately received
nothing. The tribes then fell into the hands of a series of
Democratic operators, who attempted to pick their pockets for
legal fees, land development fees, and additional
contributions. The fleecing stopped only when several
unflattering press accounts ran regarding the tribes' plight.
Bill Clinton and his cronies robbed the poor native Indians of Oklahoma by demanding a sizeable donation in exchange for Clinton's influence, and the request was ignored after the donation was made. That was dishonest, illegal, and inhumane.
S. Rept. 105-167 - INVESTIGATION OF ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH 1996 FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS105th Congress (1997-1998)
Committee Report
Despite the limited cooperation of key witnesses, the
Committee gathered enough facts to reach the following
conclusion. This chapter in the DNC's 1996 fund-raising efforts
is among the most sordid. In brief, Democratic fund-raisers led
the tribes, who were politically naive, to believe that making
a large contribution would secure them the long-sought Fort
Reno lands. The tribes made contributions to the DNC, received
encouragement about their land claim from many quarters,
including the President himself, but ultimately received
nothing. The tribes then fell into the hands of a series of
Democratic operators, who attempted to pick their pockets for
legal fees, land development fees, and additional
contributions. The fleecing stopped only when several
unflattering press accounts ran regarding the tribes' plight.
