The Koch Empire and Americans for Prosperity
More Tentacles Surface at Rightwing Front Group
Martens, Pam
http://wallstreetonparade.com/the-koch-empire-and-americans-for-prosperity/
Date Written: 2010-10-19
Publisher: CounterPunch
Year Published: 2010
Resource Type: Article
Cx Number: CX12182
Tracking to funding of extremist right-wing groups.
Abstract:
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Excerpt:
Are the Koch brothers alone in outsized funding of right wing groups? No; but they are among the most proactive and sophisticated in exerting rightward political pressure on universities, media, state legislatures, Congress, and the town halls of America.
A check of tax filings at GuideStar.org shows there is currently over $6 billion in assets in foundations that promote the free market mantra. Where did the money come from? Some of the largest pro-corporate agenda foundations include old wealth from big consumer brands like Coors, Vicks, Borden, Gulf Oil, F.W. Woolworth, Amway; and new money from John Templeton and Walmart. The tycoons of yesteryear handed down an axe to grind against government interference in big business and that has been carefully nurtured by a labyrinth of modern tycoons and front groups. These are masterful tacticians who understand image is everything; who understand that if you plow enough money into marketing and public relations and advertising, you can build an invincible brand. You can even turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse by rehabilitating the deregulatory/free markets brand that fleeced the public, took their homes, left the financial system of the country in ruins and then used taxpayer money to attempt to bail itself out. But don’t think about that; think about the new and improved "freedom" brand.
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