Democrats spar over super PAC primary spending: 'Let's tie one hand around our backs'

[reACTIONary]

Point:

“The American people are disgusted with a corrupt political system that allows Elon Musk to spend $270 million to elect Donald Trump. They want change. We can make change,” the letter said. “If our opposition to Citizens United is going to be taken seriously, we must begin by cleaning our own house.”

Counter Point:

“The DNC can pass a resolution … a strongly worded resolution and what will be the impact.?!... Those same PACs will do whatever the hell they want to do. So what other ‘action’ can the DNC take that will produce the result suggested?!”

“Let’s tie one hand around our backs while let Republican spend unlimited money to define Democrats. Give me a break.... If y’all wanna pass legislation, then by all means do it. But these silly purity tests do nothing but harm our party’s chances of winning elections.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/17/democrats-super-pac-bernie-sanders-00410607

[SSJVegeta]

1. Counter counter point

The proliferation of unlimited super pacs necessitates a path towards the complete end of democracy. Either unlimited money in politics stops with us, or it doesn't stop at all.

[reACTIONary]

2. That's kind of one position ....

... that is expressed in the article.

Unfortunately, the argument that unilateral disarmament will or can lead to bilateral disarmament is weak. The counter dynamic is sometimes called the prisoner's dilemma. It was first systematically identified and analyzed by Hobbes in Leviathan.

The solution to the "prisoners dilemma" is to establish an overriding authority over all parties that enforces the standard on all. In this case, that would be legislation applicable to both parties. That is suggested in the article as the alternative to unilateral disarmament.

[Passages]

3. Super Pac donors expect a return on their investment.

Upside, you get to point fingers at those who are recipients when you refuse it.