Supporting the end of Internet Freedom. Ben Cardin voted to support the Internet being given to the Telecom Companies, the same companies that provided NSA with the telephone records of American citizens without telling them and without a court order requiring they do so. The most vibrant venue for free speech is threatened by an end to net neutrality and the net being given over to big business interests.  This approach will weaken free speech on the Net and corporatize discussion on the web.

Supporting Israel's Militant Right Wing above the Interests of the United States. Rep. Cardin is a cheerleader for Israel.  He is one of the top 20 recipients of Israeli lobby funding and has always put Israel first.  He did not criticize Israel when it recently killed more than 1,200 civilians in Lebanon, nor when they bombed the Gaza Strip.  He remained silent, merely saying, “Israel has the right to defend itself.”  In candidate forums spokespersons for the Cardin campaign proudly proclaimed to Jewish audiences that “Ben Cardin tells any country that wants to trade with the U.S. that they must trade with Israel.”

Opposing Reduced Cost Television for Candidates. Ben Cardin is running a multi-million dollar campaign funded by the wealthy special interests that dominate American politics.  He voted against reduced cost television time for candidates, ensuring that only those candidates with millions of dollars can fully compete.

Opposing Importation of Less Expensive Imported Pharmaceutical Drugs. As the Washington Post reports “Cardin's critics, though, note that he was the only Maryland congressman who voted against the Pharmaceutical Market Access Act in 2003, which would have legalized the re-importation of cheaper drugs from Canada.  “’That was ground zero for the industry,’ said American University professor Allan J. Lichtman, a Democratic Senate candidate who has frequently raised questions about Cardin's financial backing. ‘He gave them his vote when they needed it most.’”

Rep. Cardin is funded by special interests. His major donors include the defense industry that profits from war, the pharmaceutical lobby that overcharges Americans who need prescription drugs.  The health insurance industry that prevents a national health care plan. The Israeli lobby who punish candidates who criticize Israel and prevent open discussion of Middle East policy, especially the role of Israel.  And, Constellation Energy which plans to raise electricity costs for Marylanders by 72% despite already high profits.

Ben Cardin is a major recipient of PAC contributions. The source of 35% of Cardin's funding are PACs, and 76.9% come from PACs advocating for business interests. Cardin raises more money from special interests than any member of Congress including either of Maryland's two senators.    The Washington Post reports that Rep. Cardin “has accepted checks from committees representing six large pharmaceuticalcompanies, 22 oil and energy outfits, 27 insurance firms and industry associations, and eight HMOs, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which compiles such figures on its Web site.” And, “Cardin's accounts are swelling with more than $874,826 from political action committees, many of them pushing the interests of large corporations.”

Link to Ben Cardin’s Voting Record
Link to Ben Cardin’s Funding Sources