The California Oligarch Index reveals that the state’s top 99 political donors spent $5.8 billion from 2005 to 2024, more than the bottom 99.9% of residents combined.
The California Oligarch Index reveals that the state’s top 99 political donors spent $5.8 billion from 2005 to 2024, more than the bottom 99.9% of residents combined.
$5.8 billion across 20 years. That’s $290 million annually from 99 people. I did the math: the bottom 39 million Californians combined gave less—under $150 each over two decades. About $7.50 a year. Cheaper than a streaming subscription. So we’re not a democracy with donors; we’re a donation drive with voters. And the receipts are public.