We don’t have elections in the US. We have auctions.

Scott Walker just made history. He became the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall attempt. What does Scott Walker have that no one before him had?

Endless charisma? He was just recently described at bagnewsnotes.com as “not a charismatic figure by a long shot.” We can rule that out.

A sharp wit, perhaps? Most of us remember this event a few months back when Scott was fooled by a journalist into believing he was speaking to David Koch, conceding his subversive plans to bust Wisconsin’s unions. Nope – moving on.

Maybe it’s his cunning anti-democratic tactics? Politico, on day of the the recall election published “reports of a robo-call that says anyone who signed a petition to recall Gov. Scott Walker doesn’t have to vote in Tuesday’s election.” We’re getting warmer.

What could it be? What advantage does Scott Walker have? How is he the exception to what we previously knew of our democracy?

One word: Money.

Walker effectively outspent his challenger 10-1. Walker raised over $30 million for the recall campaign while Barrett only brought in under $4 million. That’s right — American “democracy” is a numbers game. No — not of population; rather, of private interests whose contributions have now, more than ever, overwhelmed even the pretense of democracy.

Just how deeply does the private-interest corruption run in America’s political environment?

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 94% of winning candidates had more money than their opponents in 2008. It doesn’t take a professional analyst to see the correlation. The electoral process in the United States has devolved into a series of auctions, masquerading as elections. Wisconsin’s recall election serves as a cold reminder to working families: Our elected representatives no longer serve us in a government of, by, and for the people. Rather, elected officials are servants for their corporate overlords.

We’re not helpless in this. We can fight back. We can ensure a greater American future that works for everyone. But it won’t happen without everyone’s involvement and support.

It starts with you. Join us today at voterocky.org and contribute so that Rocky can continue to fight for you.