Money out of politics? Unions spent a whopping $4.4 billion between 2005 and 2011

Remember when AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka said money is “dangerous to democracy”? Or how ’bout the time President Obama lamented that “special interests and super PACs” might steal the election from “regular Americans”?

Oddly enough, they didn’t mention that Big Labor spent $4.4 billion on politics between 2005 and 2011. That’s four times more than previously thought, according to Wall Street Journal analysis of Labor Department reports.

Generally thought unions spent $1.1 billion on politics from 2005 to 2011. Turns out it was $4.4 billion. Huge story. http://t.co/Jn4aDeUc

— Byron York (@ByronYork) July 10, 2012

Also, unions often don't have to report this kind of election spending until after the election is over: http://t.co/9PoSlXp9

— David Freddoso (@freddoso) July 10, 2012

So how does that compare to the slithering tentacles of the Kochtopus?

So vast evil Koch empire has spent about $200 million on political causes. Scrappy, blue collar unions, last 5 years: $4.4 billion.

— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) July 10, 2012

@JohnAvlon Unions spent $4.4 BILLION in political activity in last 6 years. Make Karl Rove & Koch Bro look like paupers http://t.co/7SyIJdcT

— Max Crespo (@CrespoMax) July 10, 2012

Oh, but unions are all about the struggling workers, right?

Wow if Unions have spent 4.4 BILLION dollars in 6 years on elections how much of that could have went to pensions and medical

— Kurtis Marsh (@kurtismarsh) July 10, 2012

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It's hilarious that unions have spent over $4 billion on politics from '05-'11. They're spending to keep power, not help their members.

— Chuck Justice (@Habledash) July 10, 2012

Now that the news is out, will all the leftists who freak out about money in politics be forced to back off bashing super PAC money and the “democracy-killing” Citizens United decision?

Those who wail incessantly about "money in politics" must be really upset with this story on union spending: http://t.co/Q0j8E7Mj

— Chad Doughty (@ChadTheElder) July 10, 2012

Nah, they’ll just keep on keepin’ on. The incessant yammering about money in politics isn’t likely to stop anytime soon. But with each passing day, the pathetic whinging makes the Left look more and more clownish.

We’ll take it.