Captured: The Corporate Infiltration of American Democracy

by Sheldon Whitehouse

One of the most prominent and effective politicians opposing Trump “spells out, in considerable detail, the extent of corporate influence over a variety of issues” in national politics (The New Yorker)

As a U.S. Senator and former federal prosecutor, Sheldon Whitehouse has had a front-row seat at the spectacle of dark money in government. In his widely praised book Captured, he describes how corporations buy influence over our government—not only over representatives and senators, but over the very regulators directly responsible for enforcing the laws under which they operate, and over the judges and prosecutors who are supposed to be vigilant about protecting the public interest.

In a case study that shows these operations at work, Whitehouse reveals how fossil fuel companies have held any regulation related to climate change at bay. The problem is structural: as Kirkus Reviews wrote, “many of the ills it illuminates are bipartisan.”

This paperback edition features a new introduction by the author, which reveals how corporate influence has taken advantage of Donald Trump’s presidency to advance its agenda—and what we can do about it.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Economics, Business, American

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2017

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

America is so fucked. A better title for this book would have been "FUCKED: The Corporate Infiltration of American Democracy". Before having read this, I was aware of "regulatory capture" and the "revolving door" of corporate lobbying and assaults on civil liberties ...but admittedly not aware of the scale and scope of it. After what we've seen of how Citizens United took the reins off corporate spending in 2010, the analogies fail me. This isn't David vs. Goliath (government vs. corporate lobbying), it's David vs. the Death Star.

“We are in a period of political crisis at home. It sounds harsh to say these things, but the truth is harsh: corporate money is calling the tune in Congress; Congress is unwilling or unable to stand up to corporate power (indeed, Congress is often its agent); and a massive propaganda effort is churning full steam to deny the facts of major policy issues wherever those facts are contrary to corporate interests. In Federalist No. 63, James Madison (or perhaps Alexander Hamilton; authorship is debated) warned of “moments in public affairs when the people . . . misled by the artful misrepresentations of interested men, may call for measures which they themselves will afterwards be the most ready to lament and condemn.”9 We are aswarm now in “artful misrepresentations” and “misled by interested men” gathered and organized in corporate form; the result has been both action and inaction that our descendants will surely “lament and condemn.” ... “Their success, however, is also our failure—a failure to defend the American democracy that we inherited. That failure too will be judged harshly.”

As indeed it should be Sir. One can only hope it's not too late. Read this, and open your eyes to what's happening to America.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very clear and convincing book showing how big spending by corporations is undermining the US ideals of government by the people.

[Nicki Youngsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meaningful book and must-read for anyone curious about the true meanings behind "corporate money" and "dark money." The explanations given by Senator Whitehouse do a good job of illustrating congressional gridlock on issues surrounding climate change legislation, hampering industry regulators, eagerness for drafting policy that ensures corporate tax cuts.

As I read this book, I was able to understand and "read between the lines" of current national conversations, like the delay of replacing Justice Antonin Scalia and tax cuts for the wealthy within Trumpcare proposals.

Perhaps the most poignant issue brought forth here is this: the last forty years have seen a gradual erosion of public protections against those of great aggregators of capital--namely, fossil fuel industry and financial industry corporations--because the very wealthy (aka "donor class") has been playing a quiet, slow, and sophisticated game of influencing many of our democratic institutions.

Although the election and subsequent presidency of Donald Trump has been chaotic and terrifying,, what we must REALLY pay attention to, the author notes, are these other things: we must engage and find ways to thwart the influence of dark money in American politics. I appreciate the author's illumination of what and who the Koch brothers are--billionaires who are likely funding Tea Party candidates and who's influence rivals that of the RNC.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me so long to read this book because every time I started reading it I became angry. I had to stop reading it & even just leave it alone before I tackled it again. As the sub-title states the book is about the infiltration of corporate power in our democracy. Everyone knows about its influence on our elections thanks to help from Citizens United, but it has weaseled its way into our civil jury system, administrative agencies, the Supreme Court and helps in the dissemination of false scientific and other information to a gullible, ill-informed american citizentry. Global warming? Climate change? Just like the tobacco/cancer discussion nothing gets in the way of corporate greed. Please read this book.

[Jonathan Grim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible read. It's very concise and to the point. Senator Whitehouse holds no punches and calls out, by name, some very startling truths. If you've ever wondered about the inner workings of lobbyists in Congress or if you just don't understand how a politician could possibly deny climate change in 2019, you need to read this book. If you appreciate books that "show their work", then this one will be right up your alley. It has over 50 pages of references and backs up the author when they make a claim. Everyone should be skeptical when reading books on government and politics. Captured allows the reader to check on each and every truth put forward. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! It should be read by anyone with even a passing interest in American politics.

[Max Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic complement to Jane Mayer’s “Dark Money.” If you’re upset by the dismal state of American politics, this is a roadmap of how we got here. A must read!

[Conor O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our esteemed Senator Sheldon Whitehouse paints a picture of America that is in fact beholden to corporations and secret special interests. The amount of money going into the trillions and billions is what is most appalling to be because of the fact that democracy and government should never be for sale. Senator Whitehouse also details how the Founding Fathers were actually suspicious of corporations and feared their power in the political realm. The corporations unfortunately have not only sway in Congress but also our Supreme Court which with the ill advised Citizens United decision made sure corporate money could flow like a river into our elections. They are trying to pollute and poison institutions and traditions which we hold dear. They are tearing at the fabric of American republican democracy as well as our environment. The Senator inspires us to know that We the People are the only ones who can get off the couch, unite, and remove corporate influence from our politics. Quoting Senator Whitehouse “Corporations are fine in business but not in American politics”

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a concise, clear, well-written explanation of how dark money/independent expenditures actually work on a day to day basis, from the point of view of its direct targets: members of Congress, and to a lesser extent judges and juries.
Many of us know that money in politics has been out of hand for a long time and the Citizens United decision was the final kiss of death to our democracy. This book explains very clearly and without mincing words, how it works and how bad it really is. Very readable, and of course depressing, but it is important to understand this stuff, especially if you are new to political activism.

[Patrick Bair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent read with two provisos. First, if you've read Jane Mayer, Tom Franks, etc., you'll find nothing new or surprising here. Second, the author's prodigious use of quotations, especially in chapter one, made me wonder if he had any ideas of his own. Still, worth the investment.

[Vance Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important must read for anyone wondering why our government has become so dysfunctional. The United States government is for sale thanks to some bad decisions made by the Supreme Court. Our founding fathers established a system to preserve our ability to govern ourselves but the Citizens United decision has drastically tilted the scales in favor of corporations and the billionaire donor class. Educate yourself and get involved before it’s too late.

[Tim Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just a longer version of the AP Government Campaign Finance test

[Kayla Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating book having to do with dark money and how corporations...particularly the Koch brothers...are gaining control over our government and politics since the horrendous Citizens United supreme court ruling in 2010. The hollowing out of the Republican party in order to place within it corporate-friendly members is something that cannot be denied or ignored! It is primarily moderate members of the GOP that are being attacked by dark money after all. I've been saying for a while now that the real villains behind all this pandemic and election turmoil will likely turn out to be corporate America...not the government itself or either party. These corporations benefit immensely by all of us being at each others' throats. As long as we are too distracted by fighting each other then we likely won't see what is really happening until it's too late. HIGHLY RECOMMEND READING!!!!! This book was published early 2017.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book and gain the insights and facts that you need to be a change agent. The stakes couldn't be higher!

This is a meticulously researched and thoughtfully described book on corporate financing of politics and "dark money", by a sitting U.S. senator. This brilliant, gutsy insider describes the history of U.S. Supreme Court, the Constitution, and the corrosive impacts of corporate-friendly judges on American democracy and the stark realties of climate change, starting in his own "ocean state", Rhode Island.

Senator Whitehouse and policy research expert, Melanie Wachtell Stinnett, expose the motivations of the fossil fuel industry and the disasterous impacts of the Citizens United decision (2010). The authors describe in detail the mechanics of campaign funding, and the erosion of regulatory agencies including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as several lesser known but important regulators tasked with protecting public health and safety.

Supported by taxpayers and empowered by Congress, regulators have a duty to protect the health and wellbeing of all American citizens. However, due to process of "regulatory capture", government agencies are being hollowed out by appointees with massive conflicts of interest. Agency administrators and key officials, have been shown to be beholden to the goals of their corporate backers who have billions of dollars at stake.

Regulatory capture, campaign financing via dark money, and eroding the reach and effectiveness of government regulators is a bi-partisan issue.

Senator Whitehouse provides a detailed look into how self-interested regulatory leaders, supported by a dark money machine, are showing little regard for the agency's mission, or the American public. This corporate-first mentality is costly lives and billions of dollars in clean up efforts due to environmental degradation, and increased frequency and severity of storms due to climate change.

Americans, and citizens globally, are being plunged into a hot, polluted, toxic world. "Captured" documents scientific reports showing that the fossil fuel industry has known about the impacts of climate change for 35 years. The "science" was in on this decades ago!

"Captured" details how the fossil fuel industry took lessons on issue framing and messaging directly from the tobacco industry. If you ever wondered how or why otherwise well-educated elected politicians can be anti-science and deny climate change, this book describes how campaign financing is perpetuating what can only be described as the greatest crime ever perpetrated on humankind by narcissistic men (my words, not the author's).

We can no longer afford to remain "heads down" in research institutions, silenced in our government roles, or complicit as employees of a global conglomerate. My eyes were openned and my determination renewed! Every citizen who values democracy, separation of powers, and hopes that the U.S. can regain some modicum of moral high ground, will find "Captured" a timely and helpful read.

Citizens, not corporations, must stand up to the corrosive effects of the Citizens United decision. We must support leaders who are not beholden to obscenely wealthy shareholders, special interests and corporations hell bent on extracting every last ton of fossil fuel from the Earth.

"Captured: The Corporate Infiltration of American Democracy" reminds civil society what is at stake -- and why we must think globally, act locally, and shine the lights on those who would, if left unchecked, tip humanity over a precipice from which we cannot recover.

[Gerald Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tip of the Iceberg . . .

This book is a must read for every American who loves his/her country. It is a frightening lesson in the Civics classes that are no longer taught in our schools, because it speaks in very direct and understandable terms about the powerful and hidden forces that are undermining our core democratic values. If you have wondered why formerly reasonable men and women in politics now embrace untenable positions such as climate change denial, reducing the already shrinking share of federal tax income coming from corporate taxes, and the baseless and untrammeled attack on voting rights, then this book will clearly and concisely explain it. And it will cast it in an historical perspective, as well.

The book, "Dark Money," by Jane Mayer, is very well researched and well written, and it provides the foundation from which Senator Whitehouse builds his exposition of the ongoing and well-disguised attack on our most cherished democratic values. "Captured" adds to that excellent book in many important ways, two of which jump out to this reader. The first is that he has a ringside seat to the ways in which corporate dark money is at work to take away the voice that all us have had, and expect to have, in our government. His examples are harrowing and very real, a true insider's story of what we are losing, and rapidly.

What also struck me, and which is news even to my well informed attentions, is the ongoing corporate attack on our civil jury system. I was raised by a father who was what we then called an Eisenhower Republican, in Pennsylvania. He was a local public official, and more importantly, he was a trial attorney. I grew up hearing him say that the American judicial system and the jury trial were he most cost effective social programs we have. One case in front of one jury can provide enough economic incentive to make a corporation stop manufacturing cars that burst into flames on impact, or stop making products that are harmful to our health, or stop putting dangerous materials into our buildings. This book lays out in frightening clarity how this great institution is being forcibly eliminated.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. And that is the point of this essential book. We are looking at the tip of the iceberg. What is unseen are the think tanks, the tax exempt organizations, the paid media, the super Political Action Committees, and the corporations and billionaires who are actively at work in not letting us see how they are setting up their own version of a political party, and one that will brook no heterodoxy. And it is one that serves only them, and at our expense. Eisenhower Republicans are a vanishing breed. And Teddy Roosevelt Republicans are extinct. And lest you think this is a partisan issue, this book will show you how both major parties are at risk.

It was difficult for me to read it, because the story is so frightening. And I found that the personal forward was something I almost could not read past. We tend to question our public officials, but we miss the fact that people like Senator Whitehouse are devoted public servants, and that the bulk of that great burden falls on their families. The sacrifices are deeply felt. We need more public servants like Senator Whitehouse. And most importantly we have to listen to him and those like him. Read this book, now.

[Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book complements Jane Mayer's "Dark Money" and Nancy Maclean's "Democracy in Chains".

Jane Mayer's book depressed me more than anything I have ever read. It was painful truth to know. Nancy MacLean's book added a historical foundation for Jane's book. "Captured" added detailed insider knowledge from a congressional and legal authority.

Around the beginning of 2011 Bill Moyers got my attention when he alerted the American people that the USA had become a plutocracy. Jane Mayer with Nancy MacLean’s books explained the details of how the very wealthy had gained control of our government over a period starting in the 70's with the Lewis Powell memorandum written at the request of the United States Chamber of Commerce. The scariest part of this story is that most people do not understand how much damage has been done. My darkest moment came from learning that our universities have been co-opted to tell what the wealthy want us to hear instead of researching the truth.

Sheldon Whitehouse and Melanie Wachtell Stinnett have not only exposed how congress is controlled and how the courts are gamed but have linked disaster to climate change unless we quit listening to the lies we are being told. Their point is that the same people who denied the health risks of cigarettes for decades are the same people who are denying climate change. The difference is that this time, instead of just killing millions, we will destroy everyone on the planet to maximize profits.

On a lighter note, the writing in this book is very good for even average people like me to read. I only had to look up a few words. I am one of the awful people who turn corners on a book and underline things that I wish I could remember. There are at least 50 corners turned. Sadly, my most memorable quote (borrowed from Shawn Otto's book "The War on Science”) was enunciated by John Hubble, Edwin Hubble's father, " 'The best definition we have found for civilization is that a civilized man does what is best for all while the savage does what is best for himself.' "

[Angie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book discussing how corporations run our government by buying in our representatives who then have obligations to these corporations. Denying climate change has nothing to do with science because all peer reviewed journals show the damaging impact of climate change but instead, the Koch brothers and paying for senators and representatives to become elected and then need to support their agenda. My own Senator Joni Ernst was highlighted and I will be calling her office today to ask her to support a carbon tax. A sequel to the book might have more ideas for what the American public can do to demand a change in our country after the Supreme Court passed Citizens United. Let's all become better informed! Let's fight to reverse Citizens United and its harmful impact on our country!

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introductory overview of how politics and the mechanisms of the state have been captured by corporate and plutocratic interests. However, I was a little disappointed at not getting more of the Senator's own experiences with this. I have not seen much of the progressive senator with the presidential surname, so I would have forgiven him putting himself out there a bit more in his book. In several places I needed more detail than was given, so I would recommend after reading this to go to some deeper treatments of particular areas: "We The Corporations" for how the Supreme Court has awarded corporations expansive rights; "Dark Money" on how conservative billionaires fund campaigns and influence politics; and the documentary "Hot Coffee" on efforts though the "tort reform" movement to reduce the power of the civil courts to hold corporations accountable.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/10

This book is decent and provides accurate and fairly original information. My primary problem is that Senator Whitehouse portrays this problem of corporatism enslaving our polity as a solely conservative problem. It is not. Yes, when it pertains to the courts it is almost always conservativism that bastardizes the law and the constitution for the benefit of the wealthy when it comes to things like giving corporations - a social and legal construct - freedom of speech (a human right). Or to say that spending money is speech. But electing Democrats won't solve this problem. They are also complicit when it comes to this corporate infiltration. Republicans are much more at-fault but the Democrats are far from faultless.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheldon Whitehouse takes on the Supreme Court, Citizens-United & the Koch brothers. This is a very well researched & argued opus that mirrors and supplements the work of Larry Lessig in "Republic Lost", Jane Meyer in "Dark Money", Oreskes & Conway in "Merchants of Doubt", Bill McKibben in "Eaarth", Naomi Klein in "This Changes Everything", & others with whom I haven't made the connection. Very highly recommended!

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fairly strong Democrat, and a lot of the book resonated with me. I don't doubt for a second that a lot of what is presented in the book is true, and that makes me sad. I'm thankful to Senator Whitehouse for having the moxy to write such a book, and the book inspires me want to do something... though I don't know what that "something" is.

However, I tend to shy away from fear-mongering rhetoric, and there was a bit too much of that kind of thing in this book for my tastes.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who wants to read about how large corporations have taken over our government. So what else is new? It's a capitalist country and everything is for sale, including anyone who has a price. Shouldn't shock anyone, or maybe I am just a cynic. Interesting and informative read by Senator Whitehouse.
I received a Kindle ARC in exchange for a fair review from Edelweiss.

[Balachandar Sundaresan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, throws lot of light on corporate money in Politics and why Congress acts the way it does. A bit partisan on liberal side and a slower read. But passionately written and weighs in on the dangers of corruption on American institutions.

[Elizabeth Mcnair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always knew how corporate america and groups such as the Koch Brothers were embedded in politics, but when you dig deep enough-it is scary how much they persuade, buy and bully. This book depressed me to no end!

[Connie Ciampanelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, (who represents my state, Rhode Island), is an acknowledged expert on dark money in our political life. His remarkable book, Captured: The Corporate Infiltration of American Democracy published in 2017, is a perfect bookend to Jane Mayer's Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right, released the previous year. While both are concerned with the same issue, their individual focus is different and is reflected in their respective subtitles.

Senator Whitehouse begins by guiding readers through a brief history of corporations in America, and how our founding fathers and framers never imagined the degree to which corporations were to grow and to take over our democracy. Not since the Gilded Age has big money been so prevalent in our politics.

Captured discusses "the various ways that giant corporations and their minions exert power over our democracy --- flooding our elections with cash intended to buy results, pushing the Supreme Court to promote the corporate agenda, capturing administrative agencies, and even trying to undermine the civil jury to meet their needs." Added to this is the "denial machine."

On major issues where the facts are against them, the corporate lobby has developed a very complex system to do a very simple thing: to lie. To lie so persistently, so smoothly, and with such craft that plain truth is distorted, obscured, and sometimes demonized.

How did we get to this point? Two words: Citizens United, the 2010 Supreme Court ruling that corpor­a­tions and other outside groups can spend unlim­ited money on elec­tions. Much of that influx of cash is "dark money," elec­tion-related spend­ing where the source is secret. Citizens United contrib­uted to a nearly bottomless increase in this type of spend­ing, which is often laundered through nonprofits that are not required to disclose their donors.

In his Postscript, written on November 17, 2016, is this, prescient and chilling:

My point that the tentacles of corporate power reach into government in ways we don't expect was demonstrated by recent reporting about political influence being exerted down into the offices of secretaries of state....As the New York Times disclosed, 'the targeting of secretaries of state with campaign donations, corporate-funded weekend outings and secret meetings with industry lobbyists reflects an intense focus on often overlooked ballot questions, which the secretaries frequently help write.' If corporate forces can get a local secretary of state to put the fix in on the language of a ballot referendum, they can limit the voter's options before he or she ever gets the chance to vote.

In his short (just over 200 pages), well-researched (over thirty-five additional pages of references) book, Senator Whitehouse explains this phenomenon in terms that are accessible to the average reader, precisely how it works and how corporations use money and threats to control Congress and the Senate, and the way it impacts our politics on every level. It it brilliant and terrifying.

An absolute must read (along with Mayer's book) for anyone concerned about our present path toward losing our democracy.

[Rexton Tegwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up to Jane Mayers Dark money.

But there are a lot of books out there like this one. Stating the obvious about how the rich are too wealthy. Are undermining democracy and human rights and need to be restrained.

I just don't understand how effective these treatises are. We already know the average American barely reads a book a year.

Even if 75% of the country read this, Congress doesn't legislate based on popular opinion. They legislate based on the interest of corporations and other special interest groups.

So what is to be done. The Supreme Court has been captured by the radical right and will certainly further entrench corporate power. Voters are manipulated through the internet to focus on low impact cultural issues. If I'm not a billionaire what am I supposed to do so that I am "viewed well by posterity"?

Beating back corporations would have been very difficult in the 1950's. But now with electronic finance they aren't even tied to the US. If they sense their power being curtailed. They can send their wealth to whatever tax haven is the most desperate.

It will take a tremendous crisis to get the attention needed for change. But it will have to be TREMENDOUS. As the financial crisis did nothing to curtail corporate power besides a few limitations on banks. Some of which have already been lifted.

Maybe if climate change submerges the whole state of Florida people will act. But that will take at least 100 years.

I was hoping a senator would have more experience with the problem. Maybe providing some under reported vulnerabilities of these giants that can be exploited to get the power back to the people. But this book offers none of that. It just rehashes how we got here. While claiming people should change it. How do people change it when one needs lobbyists to be heard in Washington? I certainly can't afford to hire one.

Which leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Because like many of these exposé style books. It offers few practical solutions and simply repeats the problem that is quite obvious to people willing to understand civic issues.

There is a belief that our government is well constructed and has the necessary checks and balance to prevent these issues. Yet they still exist and there is little evidence that they will ever go away.

It seems that the American experiment has failed. Because the government and courts have largely been captured by unaccountable corporations. Yet many Americans view our government organization as a perfect system. Defending the corruption as if the checks and balances are actively preventing what we are watching happen before our own eyes.

The experiment has failed. A rather conservative Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia said that constitutional amendments shouldn't this hard to pass. Yet it hasn't been amended in around 50 years.

Marriage to a document that was written over 200 years ago while the country was a largely agrarian nation was suicide for the average American citizen. Now we get we deserve I guess.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written six years ago, but is no less relevant today. It is a perfect introduction to the conservative Supreme Court that gave us the Citizens United decision that dramatically changed elections in the United States. Ignoring centuries of precedent in the Constitution and warnings about corporations in the writing of the founding fathers, the Roberts court has allowed unlimited dark money to buy Republican legislators through the process that has come to be known as “primarying”, that is finding a compliant opponent to a recalcitrant incumbent and pouring unlimited amounts of money into the campaign. Distorted images, outright lies and misleading information cannot be stopped due to the secrecy of the backers. Dark skinned candidates find their skin tones dramatically darkened and their friendly faces morphed into threatening masks. That is only the beginning of the mischief perpetrated by the dark money. In other chapters, Whitehouse describes all the “think tanks” and phony education non-profits that have proliferated after Citizens United. He further describes how corporate friendly newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal use bought-and-paid for experts to push the corporate line to a wide audience. As recently as last week, the Wall Street Journal relied on a chemistry professor to “explain” that the poisonous gases raining down on East Palestine Ohio are not really that bad. Not mentioned in the story is that the “professor” works for an industry-supported organization called American Council on Science and Health which lobbies against any regulations of petroleum companies and dangerous chemicals. Whitehouse claims he is optimistic about the future and I wish him well. For myself, I understand that even as a United States Senator he is relatively powerless against the formidable forces arrayed against him and us, the citizens of the United States.

[Robby Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. I am a bit wary of books written by politicians/famous folks and a writer, because I'm not sure how much the former actually wrote it, however, there seemed to be some insight into what other politicians are doing and why. What I found interesting is that there are a lot of Republicans who support causes, such as a cleaner environment to protect us against Global Warming, but corporations are spending a lot of money to front another republican to defeat an incumbent in the primary, making them afraid to take a stand.
This is why when I see a large migration of republican US House/Senate republicans announcing retirement, I know that they are not obliged to anyone and would act in their true best interest.
I feel as though there are a couple things to help resolve this. 1) Do what Senator Whitehouse suggests, regarding overturning citizens united and other means to eliminating corporate meddling 2) Institute elections in a manner that Alaska now has. Have all candidates, regardless of party, run in a primary election against one another. The top four vote getters move to the general election, which is decided by RCV. In this way, it's so harder to destroy someone in a primary, and voters get to pick the person who they truly feel is best for their state, rather than picking a party platform. Electeds can make decisions on what they truly feel is best.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter is fascinating, but the book has a crisis of identity with regards to its intended audience. Most of it reads like a pithy law review article, which would suggest that the intended audience is lawyers. But it also selectively explained basic concepts in a way that reflected a desire to make the subject matter accessible to a wider demographic than just lawyers. It felt as though Senator Whitehouse had a lot that he wanted to address but feared inundating the readers with lengthy explanations of every concept, which made for cursory explanations of things that should’ve been further elaborated on. And when he did get into the weeds of more in-depth explanations to provide background, it was often more of a stream of conscious than a well-organized synopsis. The result was that each background section left a lot to be desired and, in turn, made the ensuing discussion less enjoyable. The lack of sufficient explanations in the background sections made the book feel too complex to be widely accessible, but the discussion that followed these sections was too thin to be a persuasive legal piece. Thus, while it was an interesting read, it’s not one I would recommend.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senator Whitehouse provides a concise and insightful analysis of the role that intentionally-unidentified corporate financial interests has played and plays in our democracy. Her provides both a clear historical background of how corporations have been viewed by our Nation's founders and political leaders through the years and a detailed exposition of the radically altered political power vested in such corporations today. Those is a very informative and thus worthwhile read.

[David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear look at the evils of dark money in our politics and how it shapes our national agenda. My only complaint is that it focused on Republican and conservative abuses too much when both sides are guilty. Not one 2008 Wall Street criminal ever went to jail during the Obama administration because...…



(goodreads winner)