Posted by (+1588) 10 years ago
California's state campaign watchdog yesterday accused two national outside-spending groups of laundering $11 million in political donations through an Arizona non-profit. The out-of-state organization in question-Americans for Responsible Leadership-has opposed Gov. Jerry Brown's revenue measure (Proposition 30) and supported the boldest attempt yet to make it illegal for unions like ours to engage in political advocacy and action (Proposition 32). At least part of the money was routed through The Center to Protect Patient Rights, which has connections to oil corporation Koch Industries and its owners, David and Charles Koch.
"Under California law, the failure to disclose this initially was campaign money laundering," wrote California's Fair Political Practices Commission. "At $11 million, this is the largest contribution ever disclosed as campaign money laundering in California history."
Corporations and the mega-rich have become political super-donors in the post-Citizens United world. That an $11 million donation can be laundered through two front groups on its way to be spent on political advertising that will largely mislead the voters is a twisted view of the "freedom of speech" all Americans should enjoy.
That these secret funders were moving those millions through front groups in order to finance the campaign to stifle labor's voice shows how bold and unconcerned with appearances the super-donors can be when they engaged in a far-reaching power grab. The best way we can fight back against this brazen power grab is to exercise our right to vote. Together, we can elect leaders and pass state ballot measures that will move this country forward. Working families won't just win in California-beating back anti-worker attacks like Prop 32-but on state initiatives and pro-worker candidates' elections across the nation.
"Under California law, the failure to disclose this initially was campaign money laundering," wrote California's Fair Political Practices Commission. "At $11 million, this is the largest contribution ever disclosed as campaign money laundering in California history."
Corporations and the mega-rich have become political super-donors in the post-Citizens United world. That an $11 million donation can be laundered through two front groups on its way to be spent on political advertising that will largely mislead the voters is a twisted view of the "freedom of speech" all Americans should enjoy.
That these secret funders were moving those millions through front groups in order to finance the campaign to stifle labor's voice shows how bold and unconcerned with appearances the super-donors can be when they engaged in a far-reaching power grab. The best way we can fight back against this brazen power grab is to exercise our right to vote. Together, we can elect leaders and pass state ballot measures that will move this country forward. Working families won't just win in California-beating back anti-worker attacks like Prop 32-but on state initiatives and pro-worker candidates' elections across the nation.
