4 ms·

Wow, the concept of a PAC is something I never even knew existed. I don't think I get it. Isn't an employer supposed to be a source of money for the employee,

Wow, the concept of a PAC is something I never even knew existed. I don't think I get it. Isn't an employer supposed to be a source of money for the employee, not the the other way around. Hypothetically, if Disney have 180K employees, and each did contribute $1000 a year, that comes to $180 million a year. Now, if the company made around $5bn profit a year, $180m is a mere 3.6% of their profits - why is such a move funded out of the pockets of employees, and not the company profits (i.e. the shareholders). I know why, but if it's really that important, shouldn't it be a company investment and not an employee investment? Of course my figures are extremely exaggerated, as the actual money raised is in the low millions.

cbhl 11y ago
It looks bad if a politician accepts a $1000 donation from Disney, but less bad if the politician accepts 1000 $1 donations from 1000 of Disney's employees. I believe this is the premise under which PACs operate. What I find odd is that PACs only seem to accept contributions from a company's employees. Like, why can't just anyone contribute to the Apple PAC, or the Google PAC, the way that they can contribute to the Wikimedia Foundation or to the EFF to make political change?
- martin-adams 11y ago
  I see, thank you. The way you put it has made a lot more sense. I guess the motivation should be if the employee really does feel the cause is important they can voluntarily donates. It is scary to think your career could in some way be reflected if you don't based on the other comments. As you say, why only employees can donate and not other people seems odd as the whole point that it's not a corporation flexing it's muscles, but real genuine people with care for the cause.
- qbrass 11y ago
  >What I find odd is that PACs only seem to accept contributions from a company's employees. They legally can't ask anyone else for money.
- snowwrestler 11y ago
  There are different types of PACs. I forget the exact names, but some are directly attached to organizations, and can only solicit from org people like employees, directors, board members, etc., and some PACs are not affiliated with an org and can solicit from anybody. Emily's List is a famous pro-choice PAC that is not affiliated with any other organization. As for why PACs exist--they exist for the reason any other organization exists. People can have a greater social impact if they pool their resources, than if they act individually. This is the fundamental basis for nonprofits, corporations, partnerhips, newspapers, churchs, clubs, etc... basically any collection of people brought together by a mission. The specific thing that ONLY a PAC can do is give money directly to candidates. No other type of organization can give money to political candidates.

cbhl 11y ago

It looks bad if a politician accepts a $1000 donation from Disney, but less bad if the politician accepts 1000 $1 donations from 1000 of Disney's employees. I believe this is the premise under which PACs operate. What I find odd is that PACs only seem to accept contributions from a company's employees. Like, why can't just anyone contribute to the Apple PAC, or the Google PAC, the way that they can contribute to the Wikimedia Foundation or to the EFF to make political change?

martin-adams 11y ago
I see, thank you. The way you put it has made a lot more sense. I guess the motivation should be if the employee really does feel the cause is important they can voluntarily donates. It is scary to think your career could in some way be reflected if you don't based on the other comments. As you say, why only employees can donate and not other people seems odd as the whole point that it's not a corporation flexing it's muscles, but real genuine people with care for the cause.
qbrass 11y ago
>What I find odd is that PACs only seem to accept contributions from a company's employees. They legally can't ask anyone else for money.
snowwrestler 11y ago
There are different types of PACs. I forget the exact names, but some are directly attached to organizations, and can only solicit from org people like employees, directors, board members, etc., and some PACs are not affiliated with an org and can solicit from anybody. Emily's List is a famous pro-choice PAC that is not affiliated with any other organization. As for why PACs exist--they exist for the reason any other organization exists. People can have a greater social impact if they pool their resources, than if they act individually. This is the fundamental basis for nonprofits, corporations, partnerhips, newspapers, churchs, clubs, etc... basically any collection of people brought together by a mission. The specific thing that ONLY a PAC can do is give money directly to candidates. No other type of organization can give money to political candidates.