6. Bill Gates (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)

Founder of Microsoft, Gates contributed $34,375 in 2011-2012 so far. He leans to the left with 98 percent donated to Democrats and 2 percent to Republicans.

One of the wealthiest people on the planet, Bill Gates takes a key political stand that doesn't reflect his personal interests. He backs higher taxes on the rich. He also supports marriage equality. His contributions are made through the nonprofit Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which handles the extraordinary task of distributing the billionaire's money among worthy causes around the world.

5. John Donahoe

CEO of eBay, Donahoe contributed $48,300 in 2011-2012 so far, leaning totally to the left (100 percent to Democrats).

This election cycle, he gave $5,000 each to President Barack Obama's and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's reelection campaigns. He currently serves on the president's White House Council for Community Solutions, like Laurene Jobs. He has worked with Mitt Romney at Bain & Company. "I think it is outstanding that he has been able to switch to the campaign mode as a politician, because it is certainly not an easy transition coming from the executive role in business," Donahoe told the Dartmouth Business Journal in March 2012.