Is it legal for corporations to give money to legislatures?

[Forrest]

Not while they're campaigning but while they're actually in office making decisions, can corporations, companies, or special interest groups legally "donate" money to legislatures (in the US)?

I have another question: What was/is Cuba like under Batista, after the revolution, and present? When was it the worst?

Thanks to anyone who answers these.

[kellster102292]

Not while they're campaigning but while they're actually in office making decisions, can corporations, companies, or special interest groups legally "donate" money to legislatures (in the US)?


I believe they can make donations to the legislatures. Yet they secretly most likely have a hidden agenda like most people do giving money to the government. Not saying that ALL corporations do that though.

[Forrest]

Hmm.. well a corporation wouldn't invest in something that didn't return profit.

[Outinleftfield]

You want to give the government free money other than taxes I'm sure they'll take it. If they refused theres lots of "taxpayer interest groups" that would condemn them from not allowing "generous individuals and groups" from lowering the tax burden for everyone else.

[kellster102292]

Hmm.. well a corporation wouldn't invest in something that didn't return profit.

Yes because in the long run the money they "donate" may help sway a vote that could help put a corporation's product on market shelves.

[yuon]

I don't believe that corporations actually directly give money, voluntarily, to any sort of parliament or legislature.

Of course, they give money to politicians who might be in said parliament, but that's different.

Oh, and it certainly depends on which area of the world you are in. The laws are all different. In the USA, I believe (and I would suggest that you don't use this as a reference for anything), that it is legal for anyone to give anyone legally obtained money. That includes corporations giving money to politicians.

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As for Cuba, I would suggest check out the Wikipedia articles, and then asking more specific questions if you have them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Cuba#Cuba_in_the_early_20th_century

[kellster102292]

Back to the original question, I believe that it is illegal to give money to the legislatures.

It may be legal to give legal money to the politicians, but I find it to be a tad bit corrupt if it is only for the soul purpose to sway them to a comfortable vote for the corporation giving the money.