Dark Money is all about how the elite billionaires anonymously control American politics. The controversial Koch brothers take center stage in Mayer’s Dark Money research.
Pairs With: Dark Money pairs well with Light Chocolate – like a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar.
Overview
Oxford dictionary defines Dark Money as, “funds raised for the purpose of influencing elections by nonprofit organizations that are not required to disclose the identities of their donors.”
“Follow the Money” is the theme of this book and the money often leads back to the Koch brothers. If you’re interested in learning more about the Koch brothers and how much they secretly try to control, this book is for you.
Be warned, it’s depressing to learn about the dark ways the insanely rich exploit tax laws… specifically laws that were originally designed as incentives for the wealthy to give, that are now being used to ensure they remain wealthy.
Class Warfare
Meyer quotes Warren Buffet as saying, “There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.” This book exposes the tax loopholes and bogus organizations that are created by the wealthy to ensure that they stay rich.
Unsurprisingly, these “nonprofit organizations” have been made by the wealthy and are built to lobby on their behalf. Basically the rich anonymously “donate” millions of dollars to their political advocacy groups which are set up to only further benefit themselves. These “organizations” often only represent a small and elite portion of the population. However, they often pretend that they are for the common good.
For example, the Koch brother’s “organization” American’s for Prosperity claims, “American’s for Prosperity educates and mobilizes citizens to support a free society, helping every American live their dream–especially the least fortunate.” Unfortunately, even those these organizations may say they’re for the “least fortunate” they have a history of fighting against policies that would directly benefit those in need.
Some examples of policies the AFP has opposed are; raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and environmental regulations (which is no surprise considering the Koch family has made their wealth off of oil).
Conclusion
This book is dark and hard to read. President Barack Obama’s view of American politics is a lot more uplifting. Hell, reading Obama’s recollection of the economic collapse in 2008 is more relaxing than 90% of this book. On one hand, it’s fascinating to learn more about the reclusive Koch family. But on the other, it’s depressing to read about how much the wealthy elite secretly control and manipulate. Read at your own risk.
Let us know! Have you read this one or a similar book? What did you think??
