Open Secrets

Following the money to show how cash corrupts US politics

The Problem

Money in politics flows to where the power is. Corporations and industry groups, labor unions, single-issue organizations, and deep-pocketed individuals spend billions of dollars each year to gain access to decision-makers in government and to help politicians get elected. In return, they want influence — the power to shape legislation and regulations, to win political appointments, land government contracts, or secure tax credits. All of which distorts the democratic process and may skew public policy in favor of the wealthy and corporations and against the interests of the average voter.

The Solution

The Center for Responsive Politics tracks money in American politics and its effect on elections and public policy — who is giving money, who is getting it, and why. They pursue this mission largely through the website OpenSecrets.org, the most comprehensive resource for federal campaign contributions, lobbying data and analysis available anywhere. Their goal is to protect and strengthen our democratic and government institutions by shedding light on the largely hidden workings of the political system — because, as the saying goes, “Democracy dies in darkness.”