# Curbs on political donations(in USA and preferably elsewhere) ? Opinions please **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 9, 2025, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753 "2025-01-09T05:35:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/1 "2025-01-09T05:35:07Z")
Seeing the repercussions of Elon Musk spending vast sums (there was considerable spending on the democratic party side too) of money and basically being able to potentially influence the outcome of the Presidential election…is the idea of a bi-partisan legislation putting curbs/ceiling on max donations (including Super PACs) too far-fetched ? I feel there could be bi-partisan support on this issue as people and lawmakers have seen how billionaires willing to spend money can influence election results. Not only election results but even contesting candidates…we have seen how republican lawmakers have fallen in line to Elon’s threats of primarying anyone opposing Trump’s agenda. I think there is in place a max ceiling on individual donations. What needs to be curbed are the Super PACs. Opinions please. Is it feasible or just a pipe dream ? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/2 "2025-01-09T05:38:24Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > I feel there could be bi-partisan support on this issue as people and lawmakers have seen how billionaires willing to spend money can influence election results. [![](https://media.tenor.com/p54UKZMskZoAAAAM/jonah-jameson-laugh.gif) ](https://media.tenor.com/p54UKZMskZoAAAAM/jonah-jameson-laugh.gif) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/3 "2025-01-09T05:40:20Z")
Hmmm was it just my unrealistic wish Stranger ? Clutching at straws ? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/4 "2025-01-09T05:42:59Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > What needs to be curbed are the Super PACs. > > Opinions please. Is it feasible or just a pipe dream ? You need a constitutional amendment, overturning a Supreme Court ruling that unlimited spending by millionaires and corporations is protected speech under the 1st Amendment. Once you’ve done that, sure. > **[Citizens United Explained](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/citizens-united-explained)** > > The 2010 Supreme Court decision further tilted political influence toward wealthy donors and corporations. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/5 "2025-01-09T05:43:54Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > You need a constitutional amendment, overturning a Supreme Court ruling that unlimited spending by millionaires and corporations is protected speech under the 1st Amendment. > > Once you’ve done that, sure. Thank you. I didn’t know that. Looks like a very long shot I guess. Can’t some right thinking people/citizens/organisations file a public interest suit in supreme court asking for a re-look on that judgement ? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/6 "2025-01-09T12:48:15Z")
Not in the current political climate where over half the country thinks rule of, by, and for billionaires is a great idea. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/7 "2025-01-09T14:15:05Z")
To be fair both sides of the aisle have billionaire donors. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/8 "2025-01-09T14:31:33Z")
To be fair to both sides, however, only the Republicans believe that it is a good idea. No doubt you can find Dems who are willing to take whatever money you care to give them, asking no questions. And even those who will vote the way the ones with the money want them to vote. But, the Republicans have made it the way to govern. Trumpism will end only when an overwhelming majority of Americans have decided that they are fed-up with the corruption (my guess, after some Democrat is found selling nuclear weapons. Not plans for nukes, but the nukes themselves. To Muslims.) ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/9 "2025-01-09T15:29:45Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > Trumpism will end only when an overwhelming majority of Americans have decided that they are fed-up with the corruption Agree ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/10 "2025-01-09T20:36:04Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > You need a constitutional amendment, overturning a Supreme Court ruling that unlimited spending by millionaires and corporations is protected speech under the 1st Amendment. No, we’d just need a better Supreme Court, which is obviously easier said than done, but much less difficult than passing an Amendment. For the latter, you need a huge majority, but for the former, you just need to win a small majority several times. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curbs-on-political-donations-in-usa-and-preferably-elsewhere-opinions-please/1012753/11 "2025-01-09T23:43:53Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > No, we’d just need a better Supreme Court, which is obviously easier said than done, but much less difficult than passing an Amendment. For the latter, you need a huge majority, but for the former, you just need to win a small majority several times. Great point and I agree.