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Hillarysworld -> Republicans/GOP -> "The GOP's Undercover Bankrollers" (Benjamin Sarlin, The Daily Beast, 10/14/10)
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TOPIC: "The GOP's Undercover Bankrollers" (Benjamin Sarlin, The Daily Beast, 10/14/10)
Sanders


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"The GOP's Undercover Bankrollers" (Benjamin Sarlin, The Daily Beast, 10/14/10)
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Somehow, I knew there would be these faces!  Don Blankenship (CEO of Massey Energy, the coal company with those disastrous EHS record mines in VA and WV) of all people, for sure!  And of course, the Koch Brothers.

Read @ TheDailyBeast.com

The GOP's Undercover Bankrollers

by Benjamin Sarlin

Outside groups are spending record amounts influencing the election this year, with cash going to Republican candidates over Democrats 7 to 1. Many of the big donors are anonymous, but a few have emerged in media reports. The Daily Beast reveals the players we know—and don’t know—who are bankrolling the spree.

Gallery: Republican Moneymen

HP Main - Sarlin Donors 1

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================================

The Daily Beast on The Koch Brothers

Billionaires David and Charles Koch have become public enemy number one for Democrats after spending millions on bankrolling conservative institutions and causes. The group they founded, Americans for Prosperity, is considered a key backer of the Tea Party movement, helping to train and organize activists. Other causes include a push to pass a referendum in California neutering the state’s landmark climate change legislation

 

The Daily Best  - on Don Blankenship

Most CEOs are frightened of appearing too political, but not Massey’s Don Blankenship. The mining tycoon has thrown millions of dollars into judicial elections, and some of the judges have later sided with him in key cases. He holds a dim view of government regulations and went so far as to blame them for causing a deadly explosion at one of his company’s mines. Last year he bankrolled an anti-regulation rally featuring country musician Hank Williams Jr. and Sean Hannity, presiding over the affair himself bedecked in red, white, and blue. Blankenship and other coal executives reportedly talked about setting up political committees to run ads against candidates who provoked their ire—could some of these mysterious front groups in coal country be connected? We have no way of knowing.



-- Edited by Sanders on Thursday 14th of October 2010 02:26:46 PM

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jdona


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The problem with tackling coal is so many miners make a living at it that they aren't going to rock the boat. Its a way of life passed down through generations, and its considered a source of pride and a legacy. I'm not opposed to coal, its what kept my butt warm when I was growing up. We had coal stoves in 2 rooms. What I am opposed to is mountain top removal, polluted streams, rivers, land and air. I do think we should be able to invest in clean coal technology that is really that. We can send people to the moon, but can't figure out how to clean up our own back yards and keep our own people warm, fed, and housed. Go figure.

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Sanders


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jdona, I agree with you.

I am not opposed to coal either... Just was very taken aback to find that the Masssey person came across as quite heartless when he was addressing the Upper Big Branch mine disaster.  Asked about the umpteen safety issues that had occurred in that mine and the many "settlements" they have gotten to get away with these defects, one really has to wonder how much do they really care.

In the past two days when the Chilean mine trapped people were recovered out of the mine, the management and the country's leadership were all in the game very closely to recover the people.  Many from the US came forth to talk with the media, but no sign of Massey Energy's Don Blankenship.  I was actually hoping that he would be interviewed.

Coal mines mint money for the owners.  It is literally the black gold. 

Yes, those who mine make very good money for manual labor.  But the conditions under which they work needs to be safe(r).

You are absolutely correct.

We can send people to the moon, but can't figure out how to clean up our own back yards and keep our own people warm, fed, and housed. Go figure.

It is the difference between the public sector and the private sector.  Yes, there are a lot of implications of taxes from the public sector, but at least it is safe.   On the private sector, I really would like to see a LOT more heart, a LOT more concern for employees and customers.

And I really do not want the Mine Safety people giving pass to the coal companies.  Not after what we saw in Upper Big Branch Mine.

__________________
Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010
Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010

Madam Secretary Blog at ForeignPolicy.com
Project Vote Smart - Stay informed and engaged!
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