Americans for Prosperity

In case you thought North Carolina had a corner on Tea Party ignorance, think again.

Across the country, activists with ties to the Tea Party are railing against all sorts of local and state efforts to control sprawl and conserve energy. They brand government action for things like expanding public transportation routes and preserving open space as part of a United Nations-led conspiracy to deny property rights and herd citizens toward cities.

A United Nations-led conspiracy? Are they talking about the same United Nations that can't even get the votes to combat state-sponsored terrorism in Russia or starvation in Africa?

Freaking morons.

Dallas Woodhouse seems to think that if he uses the word "grassroots" often enough, he can magically mask the stench of Art Pope's corporate largesse.

The text below received via email from the Bus Driver himself.

When Brave New Films released a recent video about the Koch brothers, Americans for Prosperity (AFP), and the Wake County School Board there was an immediate and indignant response from Dallas Woodhouse of Americans for Prosperity. One sentence did not ring true in the response:

Americans for Prosperity is a nonpartisan, issue-based policy organization and does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

AFP campaign finance reports submitted to the North Carolina State Board of Elections reveal that in 2010 AFP spent $189,894.00 on Electioneering Communications in support of 19 North Carolina candidates, comprised of 7 State Senate candidates and 12 State House candidates. A report compiled by the NC Free Enterprise Foundation from various sources puts the total spent by AFP in supporting the 19 candidates at $287,195.22. This is starkly in contrast with Woodhouse's assertion that "Americans for Prosperity ... does not support or oppose candidates for public office."

Just found a new video from Brave New Foundation on Wake County schools, Koch Brothers and Americans for Prosperity-and the fight of 2009. Look here.
It is entitled, "Why do the Koch Brothers want to end public education". Send the link to all your friends and family.

As usual, it is well done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mbJhjCbwo8

Dear Blue NCers. We got word this morning that Americans For Prosperity are planning a counter-protest at the same time and place as our voting rights / redistricting rally at the General Assembly today (July 13) at 11 AM.

We will be protesting the numerous attacks on voting rights mounted by the GOP this year and the blatant partisan plundering of the redistricting process while AFP, in addition to parading about in polyester and griping about immigrants and the poor quality of barbecue in Raleigh, will be urging legislators to override all of Governor Perdue's recent vetoes.

We would really love it if those of you in the Raleigh area could help us show AFP what "of, by and for the people" really means... maybe by fielding a lot more people, with a lot more diversity, than their crowd? Protest signs and strong voices welcome! More after the jump.

It's what every American should be asking themselves this week. The Tea Party too.

Do you stand with the modern-day British East India Corporations and their masters (the Kochs, the Olins, the Bradleys and other royals that want to unmake the American Century and rig American democracy like they rigged the financial markets)? Or do you stand with the people in your community? Who do you serve?

Hundreds protest astro-turfing election-buyers:

Hundreds of environmentalists, union members and liberal activists converged on Rancho Mirage on Sunday to rally against what they see as the influence of two of the nation's leading financial backers of conservative causes.

Protest organizers said they hoped to raise awareness about the Koch brothers and what activists portray as their shadowy attempts to weaken environmental protection laws and undercut campaign contribution limits.

Americans for Prosperity - NC goals for 2011

AFP-NC 2011 Legislative Agenda:

• Pass a budget with ZERO tax increases
• Allow temporary sales and income taxes to sunset as planned
• Repeal ¼-cent sales and land transfer tax
• Require any referendum to take place on an even- year November General Election
• Increase the number of public charter schools and other school choice options
available to parents
• Promote the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) that would limit government
spending
• Promote an amendment requiring a supermajority to raise taxes
• Eliminate corporate welfare (incentives) and adjust the corporate rate from 2% to 3%
• Protect private property
• Support a Constitutional Amendment to stop eminent domain abuse
• Stop forced municipal annexation
• Stop excessive property tax increases that threatens homes & businesses
• Dedicate all lottery revenue to school construction
• Repeal “Senate Bill 3” which raised energy costs and hurt families

Help wanted:

The Communications Director will develop and implement the overall communications strategy for Americans for Prosperity and Americans for Prosperity Foundation. While working with other department managers and the senior management team, the candidate will make recommendations and implement the communication strategy for all national projects. The director will establish and cultivate relationships with the news media and will formulate, draft, edit and pitch various forms of communication. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the director will also manage the communications team.

Cross-posted from an article by Chris Kromm at the Institute for Southern Studies.

Ask a casual political observer to name the nation's biggest Republican operatives, and a few would come readily to mind. Most could you tell you about Karl Rove -- the legendary Bush adviser and GOP strategist who this year aims to spend $52 million by November to help elect conservative candidates.

Some might even know Charles and David Koch, the Kansas-based oil billionaires who have poured over a hundred million dollars since 1980 into conservative causes and spent millions more on political candidates and lobbyists.