Real jobs ... or snow jobs?

Attempts to undermine freedom in America have always been part of the political landscape. Today, however, with the concurrence of the US Supreme Court's outrageous Citizens United ruling, anti-democracy forces are rising to a pitched frenzy.

At the center of the storm in North Carolina is a cabal headed by Art Pope and Fred Eshelman, who seeming willing stop at nothing to gain political power. From what I can see, they flirt with the edges of both the law and of common decency, asserting the arrogance of their financial strength into every dimension of public discourse. NC Policy Watch covers their latest joint venture, a 527 called Real Jobs NC.

Real Jobs NC, the latest 527 set up by PPD CEO Fred Eshelman and his pals, has expanded its small board to include a familiar name, right-wing funder extraordinaire Art Pope. Real Jobs NC listed three directors in its initial filing with the IRS in May, Eshelman, and two other prominent Republicans, John Marin of Durham and Murchison Biggs from Lumberton.

Just as disturbing is the fact that responsible business leaders in North Carolina have stood on the sidelines, watching Pope and Eshelman run roughshod without so much as a peep.

Those of you who read here often know that one of our regulars, Brunette, signs her comments with these words from Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Given the silence of so many North Carolina CEOs and public officials about the Pope-Eshelman power play, it's a safe bet that evil is well on its way to winning.

To my knowledge.