Thursday, November 19, 2015

Koch bros, private surveillance, plan of attack

Read a jaw dropping story by Kenneth Vogel today that's mortifying but sadly believable.  Another indication of how much our democracy has been crippled by little minds with mega war-bucks.  A foreshadowing of what rationalist types are facing in the coming election.  So much for fair play and a sense of cooperation as we prepare for coming challenges.  
I share these excerpts because people should know what's going on and I encourage you to read the entire article at Politico.


The Koch Intelligence Agency   

(takes aim at 2016)


As the billionaires’ network works to reshape U.S. politics, it keeps a close eye on the left.

The political network helmed by Charles and David Koch has quietly built a secretive operation that conducts surveillance and intelligence gathering on its liberal opponents, viewing it as a key strategic tool in its efforts to reshape American public life.  …

The competitive intelligence team has a staff of 25, including one former CIA analyst, and operates from one of the non-descript Koch network offices clustered near the Courthouse metro stop in suburban Arlington, Va. It has provided network officials with documents detailing confidential voter-mobilization plans by major Democrat-aligned groups. It also sends regular “intelligence briefing” …


…  he did not dispute that the effort is a focus for the Koch network as it tries to rebound from the disappointment of the 2012 elections and gears up to spend a jaw-dropping $889 million on policy and political battles headed into November 2016. …

The increasingly robust Koch network has seized on significant tactical advantages afforded to big-money independent organizations ― but not party committees ― in modern politics. Unlike party committees, which are mostly subject to five-figure donation limits, donor disclosure and all manner of campaign finance laws and party rules, the Koch network of non-profit groups and for-profit companies can accept unlimited cash without disclosing donors and faces few spending restrictions. ...

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/the-koch-brothers-intelligence-agency-215943

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