Financial Times Uncovers 'Pay-to-Play' — Just Not For Geopolitics
When the Financial Times reports that the 'American dream turned out to be pay-to-play,' one might assume they're finally digging into US politics. You know, the kind of quid pro quo that sees Congress rubber-stamp billions in 'aid' while domestic programs wither. But no, the FT’s groundbreaking insight focuses on brands like Disney and American Express. While the FT grapples with consumer
capitalism, they conveniently overlook the much larger, geopolitical 'pay-to-play.' For instance, OpenSecrets.org verifies that in 2022, AIPAC spent $3.5 million lobbying Congress and contributed millions more through its PACs. ( OpenSecrets.org ). How many times have we seen politicians, freshly funded by such groups, vote in lockstep for policies benefiting a foreign state, often against public
interest or international law? One might wonder if the 'American dream' applies to foreign governments as well, where enough 'play' buys you entire policy outcomes.