Music Technology Policy

Money is the mother’s milk of politics.

Jesse “Big Daddy” Unruh, California State Treasurer 1975-87

Yes…it’s that time again.  The U.S. Presidential campaigns are underway, aren’t you glad?

In case you were wondering why not a single Presidential candidate ever addresses any of our issues, let’s take a look at who’s given money to the candidates so far courtesy of Open Secrets.  We’ll check back periodically.

If any of them ask you for money or your vote, be sure to ask them for their position on the Songwriters Equity Act and the Fair Play, Fair Pay Act (especially the sitting senators).  You might also ask them why they don’t include Silicon Valley in the list of villains alongside “Wall Street” and “the banks” and “the drug companies”.

We’ll focus on the top finishers in the Iowa caucuses and the top 10 donors to each, although you can drill down further if you like on the Open Secrets site.  All of the donor totals include contributions grouped by contributor to the candidate’s campaign committee plus any super PACs or hybrid PACs working on his or her behalf.  The money came from the organizations’ PACs; their individual members, employees or owners; and those individuals’ immediate families. At the federal level, the organizations themselves did not donate, as they are prohibited by law from doing so. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.

Senator Bernie Sanders

“Alphabet, Inc.” is the new name for Google, kind of like “iHeart” is the new name for Clear Channel.  Maybe Google will give Bernie a tour of Moffett Field.

Hillary Clinton

Senator Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz was a lobbyist for Google while in private practice.

Donald Trump

Marco Rubio