Sanders is not alone. Politicians of both parties use campaign funds, through various means, to employ relatives and friends. Foundations , book deals, insider securities trading, lucrative speaking engagements, travel on private aircraft, and private investment deals are some of the many schemes used by elected officials to turn influence and access into personal wealth.
Most US Senators are quiet regarding the Biden influence peddling corruption because they are already on the gravy train. When was the last time the Senate ethics committee took action against a member? John McCain, John Glenn and three other Senators were owned by financier Charles Keating in the early 1990’s. The Keating Five skated even though their benefactor went to prison. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, current chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been involved in numerous personal finance scandals, yet he escapes every time. Recently retired NC Senator Richard Burr was insider trading based on knowledge gained in closed intelligence committee meetings prior to Covid lockdowns, yet he was investigated and give a pass by the Senate ethics committee, the DOJ, and the SEC.
Bernie Sanders is a lightening rod for the conservative right. Yet his shady dealings are small potatoes compared to his powerful colleagues in the Senate. Bernie moves a couple of hundred thousand from his campaign funds to a foundation benefiting a relative. His Senate friends are moving millions and tens of millions into their net worth through various schemes.
A corporate lobbyist once told me only honest people in Congress are those who were independently wealthy when they were elected or those who leave office at the end of their first term in disgust. The business of Washington is not governance. It is pay to play influence peddling on a grand scale.
Excellent post—100% accurate.
After stealing a bunch of money they then whine about how “campaign finance reform” is needed.
They have no shame.
“The business of Washington is not governance. It is pay to play influence peddling on a grand scale.“
The sooner -We the People- figure this out, the better.. Our very existence as a nation depends on it.