Crazy for money
Submitted by James on Sat, 10/17/2009 - 11:32am
I'm the first to admit that there's a place for crazy in politics. We are, after all, a nation of nuts. From what I can tell, most crazies operate out of the goodness of their hearts, bless their souls. For others, crazy is also a job, a way to make millions in pursuit of a mission. Glenn Beck is an obvious example. Michele Bachmann. Good old Erik Prince.
Between the extremes of personal madness and professional mercenary lies a growing chorus of crazy, the foot soldiers in the Glittery Republican Opinion Manufacturing Machine, a well-funded network of think tanks, 527s, elected officials, and unwitting journalists.
Here in North Carolina, the big cog in the machine is the John Locke Foundation, one of many organizations created and funded as part of Art Pope's Empire. In general, JLF pumps out opinions designed to make the world a safer place for corporate influence, while its sister organizations dabble in everything from detective work and frivolous litigation to prosperity gospel, push polling, bus driving and dog training. It is a world unto itself.
Never having been inside the glittery show, I can only imagine the culture, though it seems like it would be a fun place to work, if you could stand the irony of being surrounded by free market fundamentalists who want to take over the government. What could be better than that unique combination of scheming and creativity with Grover Nordquist's mission in mind? Plus a benefactor who will reliably puts millions of corporate cash wherever it's needed.
Which brings us back to crazy. With so many different fiefdoms in the Empire (see map), you'd think it would be hard for anyone else to get a word in edgewise. But have no fear, crazy always finds a way. In this case, the new kid in the circus is NC state senator Andrew Brock, founder of the Wakers, a combination pyramid plan, multilevel marketing scheme, ACORN, and 700 Club. The perfect blend of madness and money.
So if you're toiling on the fringes with nothing to show for it, you too can become a cog in the Glittery Republican Opinion Manufacturing Machine. Signing up is easy - and free! Get paid to be nuts.
Smart thinking about market madness
from Rob Schofield at NC Policy Watch.
I point to Rob's columns because they're uniformly well informed and thoughtful. This is one of his best.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Oh, what people will do for money
I first want to thank you for putting this on BlueNC, James. It is such an eye-opener. Selling "politics" is probably the worst "for profit" endeavor we could ever see in America. It takes advantage of people that maintain a particular political focus, "radicals", as they are usually called. I am convinced that there are certain media sources and talk shows that do this, but that their impact is limited. Having some kind of pyramid scheme or taking advantage of people that hold a radical mindset to steal their money is wrong, any way you look at it.
Will there be any kind of investigation into this? Let's hope so. There is an investigation into what seems like everything else, why not this?
Hey old man
There's nothing to be done. Multi-level marketing in politics has always been the implicit ... it's just out in the open now.
Watch out for Wakers, though. Once they get on to you, it's all over.
Just kidding. You don't have anything to worry about.
Do you?
:)
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Or old woman, whatever you prefer.
:)
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Old man
n/t
Hope not !!
Well, I most certainly hope I don't have anything to worry about. By askin', are you worried about me for some reason?
No worries
I'm just goofing around on a slow Saturday afternoon.
All is well.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Gotcha, James
Ya know, there are many in our country these days that have evil in their heart and have "evil gain" as their quest as well. That stands true even in our political environment. We can fool around here and have fun and I do enjoy our cutting up, but if we don't watch it, these people will take advantage of our good intentions for the sake of personal gain.
True?