Jim Hightower

The most popular zip code in America for politicians is 10021.

This is the Upper East Side of Manhattan, home to CEOs, stockbrokers, and wealthy investors. In last year's congressional elections, more campaign contributions flowed from this one posh neighborhood than from hundreds of other zip codes combined.

These corporate elites are not writing the big checks to Senator Windbag and Rep. Blowhard because they want to support "good government" – they're out to buy government, using their checks to gain favor from lawmakers who can do favors for them.

Big money has stunted our democracy and corrupted Washington. Instead of representing the folks back home or grappling with the big issues of our time, Congress Critters spend their time dragging a sack to lobbyists’ offices, corporate suites, and other privileged zip codes, filling their sacks with corrupt funds.

The rule of thumb for newly elected senators, for example, is that they must raise $25,000 every single week of their six-year term to have enough to win re-election. That means they're sacking up more money in two weeks than the typical American family earns in a whole year.

Well, that's just the way it is, say those profiting from the system. There's nothing anyone can do about it.

BS! One thing we can do is get behind the Fair Elections Now Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin and Arlen Specter. This proposal, S.936, sets up a clean system that combines spending limits and public funding of congressional campaigns. It's based on highly successful models already working in Arizona, Maine, North Carolina, and elsewhere.

This is Jim Hightower saying... This is reform that works. A Fair Election Coalition of grassroots groups has formed to pass this bill. To get involved, call Public Campaign: 202-293-0222. Let's take our democracy back from the rich zip codes.