Over the last decade, we’ve seen money play an ever-increasing role in politics. From their gilded towers, billionaires and corporations seek to decide for the American public who their elected representatives will be, secretly shaping every aspect of life in America. The Supreme Court’s decision to shift the balance of power away from everyday people and towards billionaires and massive corporations, by allowing them to spend unlimited money in elections, is rapidly degrading our democracy.

The overwhelming majority of Americans agree. A Pew Research poll found that seven-in-ten U.S. adults (72%) say that there should be limits on the amount of money individuals and organizations can spend on political campaigns.

Recently, former Democratic Congressman Tom Malinowski found himself on the opposing end of an endless barrage of attack ads funded by AIPAC, arguably the most hardline pro-Israel lobby in the United States. AIPAC seeks to muzzle and block Malinowski from winning the special primary election for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, for which he is the frontrunner. Negative ads funded by AIPAC have incessantly aired on TV throughout the entire tri-state area, with AIPAC spending at least $2 million on the ads, aimed at influenced a few thousand Democrats within the district.

As Malinowski told me on this episode of The Siren: “Their problem with me is that I’m not willing to pledge to them that I will support aid to Israel, military aid to Israel, unconditionally, uncritically, blank check for whatever Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel requests.”

Malinowski continued: “I can’t give that pledge. And I don’t think most Democrats could. I don’t think most members of the pro-Israel community would want me to do that.”

As Malinowski stares down an endless barrel of money from his opponents, he feels confident heading into tomorrow’s special election, which was opened after now-Governor Mikie Sherrill (my new Governor!!) began her gubernatorial race.

💙 Jo

Also, in case you missed it, we just launched a media network I am co-founder of, called The Siren, where this show is hosted! We have a whole slate of contributors, new shows, new faces, new voices and new ways to stay engaged and get involved! With so much more to come.

I hope you’ll check it out!!

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