“You can’t spoil a system that is spoiled to the core.”

–Ralph Nader

As the Los Angeles Times reports, key Democrats are beginning to embrace the no-holds-barred arena of corporate influence on political elections, in which disclosures of funding are not required by law.

Democrats putting together new independent political organizations for the 2012 campaign are embracing a model that will allow them to conceal their donors – the very tactic for which they criticized Republicans in 2010.

Majority PAC, a new group aimed at electing Democrats to the Senate, and American Bridge 21st Century, which will serve as a research hub, are being organized as so-called super political action committees that can raise unlimited amounts of money from contributors whose donations are reported to the Federal Election Commission. But both are also affiliated with nonprofit 501(c)(4) social welfare groups that can raise money from undisclosed donors and give money directly to super PACs.

The same dual structure is being considered by Bill Burton and Sean Sweeney, two former White House aides who are likely to launch their own independent expenditure effort in support of President Obama’s reelection, according to people familiar with the plans.

As a spokesman for Obama, Burton repeatedly hammered Republican groups for their lack of transparency in 2010. He declined to comment.

Instead of pretending that the Democrats can and should compete on this playing field, Americans of all political stripes need to rally together to challenge the rules of this game. The structures being cemented in place by this pathetic embrace, as opposed to a direct challenge by Democrats, will guarantee the permanent rule of moneyed interests on our political system. Today’s collusion between corporations and government will look like child’s play compared to the fascist — yes, fascist — corporate dominance over our daily lives down the road. Government of, by, and for the people will have perished from this earth, at least in the United States. Unless…

Unless the sheer obscenity of this move can so offend the sensibilities of the people of this land that they will join the fight to preserve our unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The bipartisan handshake over $38.5 billion in tax cuts pales in comparison to the destructive handshake over corporate influence over government. This concurrence has gone on for decades, and the Democrats and Republicans alike have for too long savored the alluring power of money flowing their way. The horrific consequences have not let up, and are escalating as we deal with increasing and intensifying natural and social disasters. Across virtually all issues, the influence of corporate money has so polluted the political discourse and course of action/inaction that we are left without the know-how to significantly change course. And yet developing this know-how is our collective imperative.

Join the fight!