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I saw the movie "Mr.Smith goes to Washington 1932" I need to know how the movie uses political power & the use of special interest money. I didn't really understand the movie...those kinds of movies are hard for me to understand. I just need to know how they use this in the movie...this is not a re-telling. But this is a basic insight, please Help!!!!!!! i really need someone to answer this.
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Answer 1

In the movie, Jimmy Steward accuses his mentor, Senator Paine, and others in "The Taylor political machine" of "graft". Graft is revenue extraction by illegal means. Common examples of graft include the acceptance of money by an officeholder for certain favors, and the placing of unqualified relatives and friends on the government payroll to repay their support in a political campaign. Graft is not the only corrupt act displayed in the film. Corrupt acts may be defined as acts by which a government official, elected or appointed, abuses his power by using it for purposes for which it is not legally intended. Vote buying, for instance, is a corrupt act but it is not graft, because no revenue (money) is extracted (channeled to a person(s) or otherwise separated out). Political machines, like that depicted in the movie, emerged in the 1890's, dominated local politics in the biggest cities for nearly forty years, and then disappeared. These political machines were patronage-based political systems where the government dispensed favors in exchange for votes (usually)and governed not through the legislative process but through back-room deals between the "boss" and interested parties.
P.S. - It's been a long time since I saw the movie but if I remember correctly, Senator Smith wanted to build a National Boy's Camp on property that corrupt politicians and other special interest groups had already designated for a dam that would bring in heavy revenues for their personal use, right? Jeff had to expose this corruption even if it included his old and dear friend and mentor, Senator Paine. Paine was in line for some sort of "kick-back" if he voted in favor of the bill to build the dam. In order to deflect the attention off himself, he and others accused Jeff of personally gaining from the use of this same land.

Answer 2

Rent it and watch it again. You need to understand the logistics. Smith is like Barrack Obamma, bright innocent a new face full of hope, the political machine will grab onto him and exploit his naivete, people Smith trusted and believed in, were corrupt and used him, working their graft plots in the background while all smiles and full of good intentions Smith is their shill. The money earned by decent people donating to a fund that Smith set up for a Boy Scout camp the corrupt Senator is going to say is going to Smith! They will ruin him but gain the funds. Same story of using a young hopefull as a "patsy" he's all honest, but his whole campaign troupe is corrupt and out to make the bucks. Watch it again! And learn how our political machine works and be forewarned! "THose who do not know their history, are doomed to repeat it!!!