Is it unethical to anonymously donate to a political party? 'I fear that our democracy could be undermined.'

By Quentin Fottrell

'I'm obsessed over how much money the respective political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, are generating in donations'

Dear Quentin,

Thank you for your answer about whether or not I should remain anonymous on my friend's GoFundMe. I have a follow-up question: I'm now obsessed over how much money the respective political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, are generating in donations. I'm also genuinely intrigued by the debate over whether it's more selfless to donate to a cause or political party or charitable event anonymously or not. I fear that our democracy could be undermined by nefarious agents.

What's your take?

Quiet donor

Related: 'We're still paid less - and do more unpaid child care and domestic chores than men': What have Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton done for working women like me?

Dear Quiet,

You cannot donate anonymously directly to a candidate, but you could in theory to a PAC or via a privately held company or even a shell company. The answer to your question depends on your intention, but in life - as in the democratic process - I believe more transparency is better for everyone. The presidential campaign committee for Kamala Harris has raised nearly $517 million, while the committee for Donald Trump has raised $268.5 million, according to Federal Election Commission filings, cited by Forbes.

There are good and not-so-good reasons why political donations should remain anonymous. Your friend raising $5,000 for his pet's veterinary bills is one thing, but a mighty political machine raising hundreds of millions of dollars in one of the world's biggest and most powerful democracies - including from sources that have an agenda and would like to influence that political machine - is quite another. It's a sensitive and perennially controversial matter on Capitol Hill, and also in boardrooms and living rooms across the land.

Political donations are subject to their own rules. Fundraisers can be one way to gain access to power and set yourself up as a mover and shaker in the social arena, but it can also lead to complications at work. (If your employer shares different opinions from you, they could - in theory - actually decide to fire you, as political opinions and/or affiliations are not one of the six protected classes of the Civil Rights Act.) And if you own a business? Customers could decide to switch to another company or even start an online campaign to get others to join them.

Anonymous cash donations

Under Federal Election Commission rules, anonymous cash donations are limited to $50 and cash contributions are limited to $100. But it's still possible to make large multimillion-dollar political donations through a myriad of other financial vehicles. There is an argument that anonymous donations can muddy the political system and encourage bad actors to influence elections. However, those who favor the existing system say anonymous donations can help avoid elected officials from feeling like they need to repay their largest donors with favors.

Gifts to nonprofits can essentially remain anonymous, according to the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy. "Opinions do not fall neatly along the ideological spectrum," the Johnson Center notes. "Philanthropy Roundtable, generally considered right-leaning in the sector, is joined by the American Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the Human Rights Campaign (all typically seen as left-leaning organizations) in advocating staunchly for donors' rights to free speech and free association through privacy."

Money - in theory and in practice - can buy a lot of influence. After the loss of a significant (aka generous) donor, a lawmaker can even change their legislative priorities, a new study found. "Powerful donors are the most important to candidates, regardless of the amount of money that they donate to them," researchers from the Cornell University and Sapienza University of Rome study wrote. What's more, the loss of a prominent donor can have a considerably negative impact on a candidate's electoral success.

The offices of both candidates did not respond to requests for comment.

The Moneyist regrets he cannot respond to letters individually.

More columns from Quentin Fottrell:

You're not stupid enough to have to work in a place like this': We need to give fast-food workers the respect they deserve

'Not tipping 20% makes you look like a fascist': Why has tipping, once branded as un-American, become such a hot political issue?

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-Quentin Fottrell

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09-20-24 1327ET

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