Extortion: How Politicians Extract Your Money, Buy Votes, and Line Their Own Pockets [9780544334557]

Overview

“Schweizer names guilty parties . . . He exposes powerful figures in politics, law firms, and corporations.” — Forbes

Washington is no longer about lawmaking, it’s about moneymaking

Conventional wisdom holds that Washington is broken because outside special interests bribe politicians. The reverse is true: politicians have developed a new set of brass-knuckle legislative tactics designed to extort wealthy industries and donors into forking over big donations — cash that lawmakers often funnel into the pockets of their friends and family.

Inside this best-selling bombshell of a book, Schweizer reveals the exorbitant secret “fees” each political party charges politicians for top committee assignments; how fourteen members of Congress bagged hundreds of thousands of dollars using a little-known self-loan loophole; how politicians use PACs to bankroll lavish lifestyles; and much more. Washington’s extortion racket has gone unreported — until now.

• Extortion, Not Bribery: Discover why the real scandal isn’t special interests buying politicians, but politicians shaking down industries for “protection money” and campaign cash.
• Milker Bills and Tollbooths: Learn the brass-knuckle tactics politicians use to introduce threatening legislation—not to pass laws, but to squeeze millions from targeted donors.
• The Permanent Political Class: See how top lawmakers from both parties charge secret “dues” for powerful committee assignments and leverage their positions to enrich friends and family.
• From Votes to Cash: Uncover the shocking, legal ways members of Congress use PACs and a little-known self-loan loophole to funnel campaign donations directly into their own pockets.