Mr. Smith Goes to Washington/Fridge

Fridge Horror

• Remember Mr. Smith Goes to Washington? That uplifting story about how a regular Joe exposes the graft in Washington, bringing down a corrupt political machine? He probably prevented the creation of hundreds of jobs (in the Great Depression, no less) and stopped rural communities from getting access to electricity. He also alienated the President and lost his state most of its power and influence in the Senate, so when World War II rolls around in a few years, they're not going to get much of the economic boost that came from the increase in industry. (See here.)
  • Wasn't the dam a fraud? How was it supposed to create jobs?
  • That was what the Taylor machine was telling people. The whole second half of the film is about how people are being TOLD the dam will create jobs, etc. but it's all a scam. This is the whole reason Smith's filibuster doesn't work (until Payne snaps).

Fridge Logic

• Taylor's master plan was to make Jeff Smith the legal owner of the land which he wishes to dam. How does Taylor profit from this?