In Memory of Granny D. and Notes on American's Civil War with Karl Rove, the Koch Brothers and who Knows

Please read the news below on bad things running America. However, click on the link and learn about Granny D. Last Spring, I had shared a Democracy Now program on Granny D. to my students in Germany. They were impressed and motivated. You need to be, too, after Wednesday's shot across America's bow in Wisconsin.--KAS


Issue #52 • March 11, 2011

“Money and Democracy Update” is Public Citizen’s weekly e-newsletter about the intersection of money and politics. It is part of our ongoing campaign to track the results of — and ultimately overturn — the U.S. Supreme Court’s reckless decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allows for-profit corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money to support or attack political candidates. We’ll update you regularly with select news stories and blog posts, legislative developments and ways to get involved.

Stunning Statistics of the Week:

* $15 million: Amount U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) wants to collect through his Senate Conservatives Fund, a political action committee, for the 2012 elections
* $9 million: The amount his PAC raised in 2010, which was more than any other politician’s PAC raised during that time

Republicans from Wisconsin state Senate to be rewarded at Washington fundraiser
Fresh off a vote to end collective bargaining rights, Republican leaders of the Wisconsin state Senate are heading to a March 16 fundraiser in their honor at the Washington, D.C., lobbying firm of BGR Group, founded by Mississippi Gov. and big-time Republican fundraiser Haley Barbour. Donors are asked to give $1,000 to the state Republican Party; sponsors are asked for $2,500 while hosts must pay $5,000.

Rove group runs TV ad criticizing unions
We told you last month about how Crossroads GPS, a group co-founded by Republican strategist Karl Rove, was running radio ads on the budget in nearly two dozen House districts. The group is continuing to help ensure the financial health of television networks: It is spending three-quarters of a million dollars to run an ad critical of unions on CNN, CNBC and Fox News for a week.

Watchdog asks IRS to investigate group run by former Minnesota senator
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is asking the IRS to look into whether a group run by former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) violated tax laws during the midterm elections. The American Action Network may have engaged in political campaign activity as its primary purpose, contrary to IRS rules, CREW says.

Corporate cash bolsters Republicans in Florida
The state political parties in Florida are seeing a flood of corporate cash come their way as the legislative session ramps up — likely because of proposed measures that favor business. Most of the money is going to the Republican Party. “We have an extremely pro-business governor, pro-business House speaker, pro-business Senate president, and I think the business community knows this is going to be a very good year and they want to have input,” said state Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton.

Wisconsin Dems file complaint over governor’s comments to Koch mimicker
For the Wisconsin Democratic Party, the taped conversation that Governor Scott Walker had with a blogger pretending to be billionaire David Koch was more than just a prank call. It showed the governor engaging in behavior that could violate campaign finance and ethics laws. The party has filed a complaint with the state Government Accountability Board.

‎What would Granny D say?
It’s been a year since Doris Haddock, known as “Granny D,” died, but she isn’t forgotten. This week she was honored by Keene State College, which will house her travel journal notes, a campaign reform banner she carried when she trekked across the United States, and her shoes. New Hampshire’s governor issued a proclamation too.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about the Citizens United video
We told you last week about the release of “The Story of Citizens United v. FEC” video, a new 8-minute animated short by Annie Leonard, of “The Story of Stuff” fame. Haven’t viewed it yet? Do it now! And tell your friends.

Visit DemocracyIsForPeople.org to learn more!