“When our politicians make their political decisions based on who’s given them the most money, we don’t have a political system…”

“When our politicians make their political decisions based on who’s given them the most money, we don’t have a political system. We have an auction” is a saying that has been printed on many images. Politics then belong to the highest bidder, not to the voters.
 
The saying has been cited in print since at least 2019 and is of unknown authorship.
 
 
X/Twitter
Northumberland Labour Council
@CouncilLabour
When our politicians make their political decisions based on who’s given them the most money, we don’t have a political system, we have an auction.
@fordnation @DavidPiccini
9:35 PM · Aug 3, 2019
 
Facebook
Guy Bascetta
August 9, 2019 at 12:16 PM ·
I sent this note to my Senators today: “When our politicians make their political decisions based on who’s given them the most money, we don’t have a political system, we have an auction…” Thank’s to my friend John Schott, for pointing this out.
 
X/Twitter
Themba Rumbu
@ThembaRumbu
When Politicians make their political decisions based on who’s given them the most money. We don’t have a political system. We have a auction
8:32 AM · Aug 27, 2019
 
X/Twitter
AvaArmstrong,🇺🇸 Author
@MsAvaArmstrong
When our politicians
make their political decisions
based on who’s given them the
most money, we don’t
have a political system.
We have an auction.
8:15 PM · Sep 14, 2019
 
X/Twitter
Miss Leah 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
@LeahsLounge
When our politicians make their political decisions based on who’s given them the most money, we don’t have a political system - we have an auction.
6:09 PM · Sep 11, 2021
 
iFunny
Gezfunez_X
8 may 2024
WHEN OUR POLITICIANS MAKE THEIR POLITICAL DECISIONS BASED ON WHO’S GIVEN THEM THE MOST MONEY, WE DON’T HAVE A POLITICAL SYSTEM, WE HAVE AN AUCTION
 
X/Twitter
Eagle Wings 🦅
@CRRJA5
♦️When Our Politicians Make Their Political Decisions Based
On Who’s Giving Them The Most Money, We Don’t Have A Political System We Have An Auction.♦️
(The saying is also shown on an image.—ed.)
7:43 PM · Nov 10, 2025
 
X/Twitter
Mr. Sausage
@MrSausageGet
(“When our politicians make their political decisions based on who’s given them the most money, we don’t have a political system. We have an auction” is shown on an image.—ed.)
8:24 PM · Aug 26, 2026