Politics

Out of context: Reply #6650

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  • DrBombay0

    The rich buy the stupid and manufacture a movement...

    Are you a billionaire worried about having to pay taxes all the while demanding government contracts and other privileges paid for people who do pay taxes? Well then you have come to the right - literally - place. The fabricated "tea party" movement has a seat at the donation table waiting for you. From ThinkProgress:
    ThinkProgress reported last week that corporate lobbyists are helping to orchestrate the anti-Obama tea party protests. These lobbying-run front groups, along with promotion help from Fox News, are organizing the tea parties by calling right-wing activists and asking them to organize. They are also coordinating conference calls among activists, writing press releases, providing sign ideas, building websites supporting the protests, and distributing talking points so that the protesters can stay on message.

    Today, FreedomWork’s Adam Brandon responded to the criticism that its efforts to organize these anti-Obama protests are ‘astroturf,’ saying that the organization’s work in coordinating and planning the events would be akin to “MoveOn’s model.” However, MoveOn is not run by corporate lobbyists and is funded by actual grassroots activists. On the other hand, the leader of FreedomWorks, Dick Armey, who is ranked as one of DC’s top “hired guns,” is a corporate lobbyist with a history of directing FreedomWorks to support the goals of his lobbying clients. For example:

    – Armey’s FreedomWorks is actively organizing against health care reform. Indeed, Armey’s lobbying firm represents pharmaceutical companies, such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, that oppose comparative effectiveness research in the health reform plan because such a program may cut into revenue for branded drugs.

    – Armey’s lobbying firm represents the trade group for the life insurance industry. Indeed, FreedomWorks mobilizes its members for deregulated life insurance reform.

    – Currently, FreedomWorks is focusing their energy activism on supporting the status quo reliance on fossil fuels. In addition to working for various domestic oil companies with a vested interest in opposing change, Armey’s lobbying firm represents Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE, on energy related issues such as maintaining the U.S.-UAE relationship where “U.S companies have played major roles in the development of UAE energy resources, which represent about 10 percent of global oil reserves.”

    – In 2006, Armey’s lobbying firm represented the Senado de Republica (Mexican Senate) on “enhancing U.S.-Mexico relations,” and specifically on immigration policy. Curiously, during the same period, Armey’s Freedom Works stood out as one of the few right wing organizations to boldly support comprehensive immigration reform.

    Last year, the Wall Street Journal exposed FreedomWorks for building “amateur-looking” websites to promote the lobbying interests of Armey.

    FreedomWorks represents a top-down, corporate-friendly approach that has been the norm for conservative organizations for years. As Obama prepares to push to close corporate tax loopholes, reform health care, and transition to a clean energy economy, we can expect more corporate lobbyists to create astroturf protests to oppose change.

    Look at the number of idiots money can buy. Yes, the people protesting are actually getting tax cuts. So why are they out on the street? Well, because they are either paid to be there or they are too stupid to actually grasp that the only tax increase being suggested are for people NOT OUT THERE - the ones funding this sham. Welcome to the herd of stupidity, sponsored by the very people who want government bail-outs. Moreover, Fox News is acting as the official PR arm of this faux movement.

    At times like this I refer to the brilliant Bill Murray and the following quote from the movie Groundhog Day: "morons, your bus is leaving."

    Oh, and you do remember that passionate Florida protest, now known as the Brooks Brothers Riot? Half those fake-activists got jobs in the Bush administration, the other half went on to be indicted as part of Jack Abramoff's team of scammers. So this tea party is the new Brooks Brothers Riot, only better coordinated. So anyone near these protests, take pictures. I have a feeling we will see a number of lobbyists and operatives employed in this sham.

    DrBombay 0Permalink
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