The elitists controlling the republican party for decades (SPN)

[tytlyf]

The State Policy Network (SPN) is a think tank aggregator. The SPN sets policy for capitalists and corporations in all 50 states. This network of swindlers is the real republican party. There's a lot of documented information, so it's a long read (PDF). But once you understand why republicans are always against middle class policies, you'll understand the real agenda of the elitists controlling the party.

Here are some of the key findings of our investigation of SPN: 
----SPN and its affiliates push an extreme right-wing agenda that aims to privatize education, block healthcare reform, restrict workers’ rights, roll back environmental protections, and create a tax system that benefits most those at the very top level of income.

----SPN “think tanks” work together in coordinated efforts to push their agenda, often using the same cookie-cutter research and reports, all while claiming to be independent and creating state-focused solutions that purportedly advance the interests or traditions of the state. 

----While it has become an $83 million dollar right-wing empire, SPN and most of its affiliates do not post their major donors on their websites. The identities of the donors we have discovered reveal that SPN is largely funded by global corporations – such as Reynolds American, Altria, Microsoft, AT&T, Verizon, GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft Foods, Express Scripts, Comcast, Time Warner, and the Koch- and Tea Party-connected DCI Group lobbying and PR firm – that stand to benefit from SPN’s destructive agenda, as well as outof-state special interests like the billionaire Koch brothers, the Waltons, the Bradley Foundation, the Roe Foundation, and the Coors family – that are underwriting an extreme legislative agenda that undermines the traditional rights of modern Americans. Corporations like Facebook and the for-profit online education company K12 Inc., as well as the e-cigarette company NJOY, also fund SPN, as demonstrated at its most recent annual meeting. 

----Although SPN think tanks are registered as educational nonprofits, several appear to orchestrate extensive lobbying and political operations to peddle their legislative agenda to state legislators, despite the IRS’s regulations on nonprofit political and lobbying activities. 

----SPN and many of its affiliates are some of the most active members and largest sponsors of the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), where special interest groups and state politicians vote behind closed doors on “model” legislation to change Americans’ rights, through ALEC’s task forces. SPN has close ties to, and works with, other national right-wing organizations like the Franklin Center and David Koch’s Americans for Prosperity.

https://www.prwatch.org/files/spn_national_report_final.pdf
State Policy Network - SourceWatch

 

[PureX]

Good luck trying to get the U.S. public to recognize this, though. It's been a known fact for many decades, and is completely antithetical to representative democracy. And yet for some inexplicable reason the general public just ignores it, or just refused to acknowledge that their own government has been that totally corrupted. So they just soldier on in their delusion that somehow their votes matter, and that somehow, someday, their government will begin to act on their behalf, instead of on the behalf of those wealthy elites that pay for all their political perks, and those high-dollar do-nothing jobs for their family members, and their huge "motivational speaking" fees, and their multi-million-dollar "lobbying" jobs when they leave office.

 

[tytlyf]

Watching Fox now and seeing members of these rw non-profits all over. Judith Miller (Manhattan Institute, SPN), Matt Schlapp (American Conservative Union, SPN).

The Manhattan Institute (MI) is a right-wing 501(c)(3) non-profit think tank founded in 1978 by William J. Casey, who later became President Ronald Reagan's CIA director.[1] It is an associate member of the State Policy Network.

The American Conservative Union (ACU) is closely affiliated with the American Conservative Union Foundation (ACUF), which is "a 501(c)(3) educational foundation that influences, converts and educates those who may not know they are conservatives as well as informing, inspiring and motivating those who know they are conservatives." [1] The ACUF is an associate member of the right-wing State Policy Network (SPN)

 

[Revoltingest]

Thank the gods that someone has finally exposed the problem
that elites control one of the major political parties in Ameristan.
At least we have the other one, which is free of such influence.
I will sleep well tonite.

 

[tytlyf]

Thank the gods that someone has finally exposed the problem
that elites control one of the major political parties in Ameristan.
At least we have the other one, which is free of such influence.
I will sleep well tonite.

This information isn't for you. You could very well be a part of the web. Your positions reflect that. Very Koch-y.

 

[Revoltingest]

This information isn't for you. You could very well be a part of the web. Your positions reflect that. Very Koch-y.

Beware.
I have many friends in low places.

 

[tytlyf]

Beware.
I have many friends in low places.

Move along

 

[Revoltingest]

Move along

I'm always in motion.

 

[Stevicus]

Good luck trying to get the U.S. public to recognize this, though. It's been a known fact for many decades, and is completely antithetical to representative democracy. And yet for some inexplicable reason the general public just ignores it, or just refused to acknowledge that their own government has been that totally corrupted. So they just soldier on in their delusion that somehow their votes matter, and that somehow, someday, their government will begin to act on their behalf, instead of on the behalf of those wealthy elites that pay for all their political perks, and those high-dollar do-nothing jobs for their family members, and their huge "motivational speaking" fees, and their multi-million-dollar "lobbying" jobs when they leave office.

I think much of the general public has held a rather cynical and mistrustful view of the elite, at least on a certain instinctive level, but the elite have often used that perception to manipulate and gaslight the people.

Most of the politicians run on the idea that they're going to "fight the special interests" and "work for the people" against the elite. They all say this, and the people believe it - but they get screwed time and again.

Most of what seems to work against the people are their own fears. The more successful politicians seem to be the ones who can play on those fears, while passing themselves off as "someone you can trust."

Another large part of the problem might rest within the political culture itself, particularly as it has manifested on the internet, in social media, etc. Part of the reason the capitalist elitists on the right-wing can do this is because the left is far too undisciplined, disorganized, with diffuse, watered-down ideals - and very uninspiring. Plus, there's a lot of backbiting and infighting which hampers the left.

Another problem on the left, or at least with liberals, is that they're sometimes too soft.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Thank the gods that someone has finally exposed the problem
that elites control one of the major political parties in Ameristan.
At least we have the other one, which is free of such influence.
I will sleep well tonite.

Lol. Nice.

I'm sure the Clinton foundation appreciates that.

Also, The Brookings institution, The Institute for Policy Studies, The DSA Fund, The Economic Policy Institute, the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and numerous others.

Total angels of the left. Halos and wings for sure.

 

[Nakosis]

I'm always in motion.

“[T]he majority of human beings, in a condition of eternal tutelage, are predestined by tragic necessity to submit to the dominion of a small minority, and must be content to constitute the pedestal of an oligarchy.” In terms familiar to today’s libertarian critiques of corporate welfare, Pareto argued that most consumers were completely unaware of the various subsidies obtained by powerful economic interests, extremely valuable to those interests, yet costing each individual consumer so little as to be practically imperceptible. In contrast to the disaggregated masses, the relative sophistication and organization of elites enables them to act concertedly, to mobilize and effect legal and political changes favorable to their ends.3 Poorly informed and largely uninterested, the general population is vulnerable to these machinations of political and economic insiders.
Classical Elite Theory and Libertarianism

 

[QuestioningMind]

Lol. Nice.

I'm sure the Clinton foundation appreciates that.

Also, The Brookings institution, The Institute for Policy Studies, The DSA Fund, The Economic Policy Institute, the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and numerous others.

Total angels of the left. Halos and wings for sure.

This is the problem with having to choose between the lesser of two evils. It causes those who like to use false equivalencies to sound as if they might have some legitimacy.

 

[Revoltingest]

This is the problem with having to choose between the lesser of two evils. It causes those who like to use false equivalencies to sound as if they might have some legitimacy.

The problem with the "false equivalency" fallacy is that so many
latch onto it as a weapon to prevent any comparisons with the
opposition. It's all....
"They are bad. We are fundamentally better in every way."
"So there's no comparison. Fie! Fie! False equivalency!"

When facing a choice between 2 evils, one should evaluate
the kinds & magnitudes of the various traits of each. (This
recognizes the antithesis of equivalency, ie, it's to address
differences.) Then predict the consequences each in office.
And finally, pick the lesser evil.

 

[QuestioningMind]

The problem with the "false equivalency" fallacy is that so many
latch onto it as a weapon to prevent any comparisons with the
opposition. It's all....
"They are bad. We are fundamentally better in every way."
"So there's no comparison. Fie! Fie! False equivalency!"

When facing a choice between 2 evils, one should evaluate
the kinds & magnitudes of the various traits of each. (This
recognizes the antithesis of equivalency, ie, it's to address
differences.) Then predict the consequences each in office.
And finally, pick the lesser evil.

Nope... actually it's using the "Neither party is perfect!" argument that tends to stifle comparisons.

It's true that neither party has been able to implement a satisfactory solution to the healthcare crisis. But it's a false equivalency to suggest that means we shouldn't bother to compare what each HAS attempted to do. Though neither party has a PERFECT solution, at least one of the two parties has managed to get tens of millions of more people covered. At least ONE party managed to get rid of preexisting condition. At least ONE party acknowledges that there IS a serious problem, while the other seems to think that the system works just fine the way it is.

So lets stop trying to distract people by pointing out that "Neither party is perfect!" and instead study the proposals and actions of each in order to determine which is the LESS perfect party.

 

[Revoltingest]

Nope... actually it's using the "Neither party is perfect!" argument that tends to stifle comparisons.

I agree that is a problem too.

It's true that neither party has been able to implement a satisfactory solution to the healthcare crisis. But it's a false equivalency to suggest that means we shouldn't bother to compare what each HAS attempted to do. Though neither party has a PERFECT solution, at least one of the two parties has managed to get tens of millions of more people covered. At least ONE party managed to get rid of preexisting condition. At least ONE party acknowledges that there IS a serious problem, while the other seems to think that the system works just fine the way it is.

So lets stop trying to distract people by pointing out that "Neither party is perfect!" and instead study the proposals and actions of each in order to determine which is the LESS perfect party.

I agree again, ie, the important thing is to address the issues.
But criticism of the parties does crop, & we should treat them
fairly, using the same standards.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

 

[tytlyf]

Lol. Nice.

I'm sure the Clinton foundation appreciates that.

Has zero to do with radical think tanks pushing policies for corrupt corporations. Harming the American people in the process.

Also, The Brookings institution

,
Not anymore.
"The Brookings Institution, whose predecessor was founded in 1918 by Robert Brookings, was probably the first think tank in the USA. It was initially seen as a Democrat think-tank, but it has progressively moved to the right -- while simultaneously being more ecumenical in its choice of scholars. This makes it difficult to characterise; unlike most of the conservative and libertarian think-tanks which are openly partisan (despite declaring that they aren't). "

The Institute for Policy Studies,

False equivalence.
The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) "strengthens social movements with independent research, visionary thinking, and links to the grassroots, scholars and elected officials. Since 1963, we have empowered people to build healthy and democratic societies in communities, the U.S., and the world...
"The Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards recognizes champions of human rights in the name of two IPS staffers who were killed in 1976 by agents of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet." [1]

The DSA Fund,

You sure that's the same? I bet Bernie supports love this.
"The Democratic Socialists of America Fund was originally established in 1978 as the Institute for Democratic Socialism (IDS). Michael Harrington, who became famous for his 1962 work The Other America, was a founder of IDS as well as its sister organization, the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (now merged into Democratic Socialists of America/DSA). IDS’s mission, like that of the DSA Fund today, was to help spread democratic socialist ideals through educational materials and activist training."

The Economic Policy Institute,

Hmm, both sides of the aisle.
"The Economic Policy Institute states on its website that it was "created in 1986 to broaden the discussion about economic policy to include the interests of low- and middle-income workers."[1] Robert Reich and Ray Marshall were the EPI's co-founders; Reich was President Clintons secretary of labor, and Marshall was President Carter's secretary of labor.
Given this pedigree, the EPI is obviously a Democratic labor-union front lobby. However it appears to be linked to Leadership for the New Century (LNC) -- and the LNC appears to be the Republican subsidiary version."

the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation

Wrong country bud.
"The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation "is actively involved in political education throughout the Federal Republic of Germany. It considers itself part of the political movement for democratic socialism. The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation has its origins in the association "Social Analysis and Political Education", founded in Berlin in 1990. It became a provider of political education, a discussion forum for critical thinking and political alternatives, and a centre for progressive social thinking and research both in Germany and throughout the world..."

and numerous others.
Total angels of the left. Halos and wings for sure.

All these are working together under a similar SPN web network to push corporate and capitalist policy at the expense of the American people?

You need to read before submitting.

 

[tytlyf]

Watching Fox and we have another SPN affiliated talking head, Katie Pavlich. It is interesting seeing all these State Policy Network corporate swindlers all over Fox. Does CNN do anything like that?

Katie Pavlich. Associated with Young America's Foundation (YAF)

--Young America's Foundation (YAF) describes itself as "the principal outreach organization of the Conservative Movement". YAF is an "associate" member of the State Policy Network.[1] According to its website, "Young America’s Foundation is committed to ensuring that increasing numbers of young Americans understand and are inspired by the ideas of individual freedom, a strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values. As the principal outreach organization of the Conservative Movement, the Foundation introduces thousands of American youth to these principles. We accomplish our mission by providing essential conferences, seminars, educational materials, internships, and speakers to young people across the country.

Young America's Foundation - SourceWatch

 

[tytlyf]

Got another one of Fox. Pete Hegseth. Affiliated with Manhattan Institute (SPN). Fox is crawling with these RW think tank representatives and corporate shills.

According to the Manhattan Institute's own puff-piece, it is "focused on promoting free-market principles" and has a mission to "develop and disseminate new ideas that foster greater economic choice and individual responsibility."[2]

"The Manhattan Institute concerns itself with such things as 'welfare reform' (dismantling social programs), 'faith-based initiatives' (blurring the distinction between church and state), and 'education reform' (destroying public education)," Kurt Nimmo wrote October 10, 2002, in CounterPunch.[3] It was also recognised as leading the Republican/corporate efforts to destroy Ralph Nader and his supporters, in the 1990s.

 

[tytlyf]

Watching Fox and we have another person on that is affiliated with multiple SPN networks and Koch related interests. One of the well-connected corporatists

"Stephen Moore, also known as Steve Moore, has been employed by many conservative groups in various roles such as "Senior Fellow," "Visiting Scholar" and "Senior Economist." He founded the Club for Growth and has served on the Wall Street Journals editorial board. Moore is frequently referred to as an "economist" in the media, despite pushback from tenured professors of Economics due to his lack of a Ph.D. in the subject.[1] Moore was nominated to the Federal Reserve Board by President Trump in March 2019,[2] but withdrew his name "amid revelations about decades' worth of disparaging comments Moore has made about women."[3]

Moore has held positions with Herman Cain's 2012 presidential campaign, Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, the American Legislative Exchange Council,[4] the Searle Freedom Trust,[5] the Cato Institute,[6] Donors Capital Fund[7] and many others. He additionally has ties to the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity.

Stephen Moore - SourceWatch

 

[tytlyf]

Another one on Fox affiliated with the SPN web of networks.

Lisa Boothe
- WPA Research
- Black Rock Group
- High-Noon Strategies

"Before joining WPA Research, Lisa was a Senior Director for the Black Rock Group. In that position, she spearheaded the communications efforts for a Fortune 500 company, Super PACs, and was part of the winning consulting team for the Dan Sullivan for U.S. Senate race during the 2014 election."