Selling Out

Mark Green discussed his book Selling Out: How Big Corporate Money Buys Elections, Rams Through Legislation, and Betrays Our Democracy, published by Regan Books. In the book, Mr. Green asserts that the practice of trading campaign donations for political favors is as old as the nation itself. Mr. Green writes, for example, that during the post-Civil War era, most legislators openly sold their votes. Drawing on interviews and his own campaign for mayor of New York City, Mr. Green gives examples of how the one-percent of Americans who can afford to be large contributors receive loopholes, subsidies and tax breaks and how senators favor big-industry polluters over constituents. He illustrates how such practices produce expensive health-care costs, uncontrolled pollution and under-funded schools. After his remarks, Mr. Green responded to questions from members of the audience. close