Here’s a pretty interesting scenario:
The administration, abetted by a Republican congress:
- Dismantles consumer protection laws. Done.
- Repeals environmental protection regulations. Check.
- Does away with civil service protections. In progress.
- Guts Medicaid, Medicare, and social security. Working on that.
- Passes more tax breaks for the wealthy and for corporations. Proposed.
- Moves low-interest federal student loan programs to private banks that charge higher interest rates to already cash-strapped middle- and low-income students. Proposed.
- Tightens restrictions on illegal immigration—not for the reasons given, but instead, to ensure maximum occupancy of private prisons that are paid according to the number of beds filled. Ongoing;
- Continues to offer “thoughts and prayers (TAPs) but does little else in the way of addressing the growing problem of mass shootings in America—because that’s the way the NRA wants it. No problem.
- Systematically undermines organized labor so that worker protection, benefits, pay, etc. are minimized. Ongoing.
- Screams “law and order” on the campaign trail but ignores, even attacks, the rule of law when it is to their benefit. Just watch the nightly newscasts.
- Attacks the news media, the one independent institution capable—or willing—to keep check on political misdeeds and wrongdoing. A given.
- Spew more patriotic rhetoric in order to gin up the war machine in countries where we have no business so more Americans can die needlessly so that the MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX that outgoing President Eisenhower warned us about in 1961 can continue to prosper and thrive. This tactic has never wavered.
- Continue the practice of rolling the flag, the Bible, and the false label of patriotism into some sort of one-size-fits-all commodity to be sold to evangelicals like Disney souvenirs or McDonald’s Happy Meal toys. Don’t believe me? Watch the mass hypnosis of a Trump rally; it’s the same misplaced trust in a mortal being as the personification of some sort of divinely-inspired savior that we saw with Jim Jones and David Koresh.
- Repeals banking regulations in order that the country’s financial institutions will be free to plunge the nation—and perhaps the world itself—into another financial crisis as bad, or worse, than the 2008 collapse (and for the information of some who apparently do not know, Dodd-Frank did not enable the last crisis because Dodd-Frank was not enacted until 2010, two years after the collapse). Passed and signed by Trump.
All these objectives, and more, when carried out, will have the cumulative effect of creating economic chaos which in turn will drive housing prices spiraling downward as the market is glutted by foreclosures as before. Layoffs will follow, resulting in high unemployment and homelessness. Businesses will close, causing more economic uncertainty. With instability in the Mideast will come higher oil prices.
That’s when the vultures will move in, snapping up property at bargain basement prices from desperate owners who will be forced to sell for pennies on the dollar because they have no negotiating leverage.
It’s all part of the Shock Doctrine principle that author Naomi Klein wrote about—and it works.
When the recovery does come, it’ll be too late for most. And these investors, these people who propped up the Republican Party, will be holding all the cards. The already gaping abyss between the haves and have-nots, between the 1 percent and the rest of us, will grow ever wider and those in control now will then be in even more control than before as more and more of the country’s wealth flows upward. Trickle down was—is already—a distant fantasy.
So, just who would be in a position to pull off such an economic coup at the expense of American citizens?
Try the Brothers Koch—Charles and David—and their cabal of fat cats.
You can begin the discussion by asking one simple question: why else would they commit their network of billionaires to spending $400 million in the 2018 midterm election cycle (double what they spent in the 2014 mid-terms and a 60 percent increase over 2016) if they did not stand to gain something from it?
If your answer is that they only want good, clean government, you’re just fooling yourself. No one throws that much money at dirty politicians and expects it to come back crisp and clean.
Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips said, “We will be spending more than any midterm in our network history.”
Russian collusion? These guys can play hardball just as well as the Russians can and they do it legally, through their PACs, their foundations, and their personal bankrolling of campaigns.
Facebook account hackings? Try i360, the Koch Industries data analytics company that compiles information on nearly 200 million active voters.
Want to hear how they wrap themselves in the flag? Try some of their front groups: Americans for Prosperity, Libre Initiative, Concerned Veterans for America, Generation Opportunity, and Freedom Partners Action Fund.
Truthout, an online political news organization that is a tad more left-leaning than Faux News (that’s parody, for those of you who don’t recognize it), has compiled a list of 2018 KOCH CANDIDATES to whom they are funneling campaign contributions.
Here are the benefactors of KochPAC’s generosity from Louisiana:
- S. Rep. Garret Graves of Baton Rouge: $5,500 to Garret Graves for Congress;
- S. Rep. Mike Johnson of Bossier Parish: $5,000 to Mike Johnson for Louisiana;
- S. Rep. Steve Scalise of Metairie: $85,000 to his Scalise Leadership Fund; $10,000 to his The Eye of the Tiger Political Action Committee (how’s that for appealing to all those rabid LSU fans?), and another $10,000 to Scalise for Congress ($105,000 total);
- S. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Baton Rouge: just a measly $1,000 (an insult) to his Continuing America’s Strength and Security (more flag-draping nomenclature) PAC.
But it doesn’t stop with Louisiana. Not by a long shot.
The Kochs also contributed:
- $10,000 to Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts’ Preserving America’s Traditions (Guess it’s a foregone conclusion that his opponent has no interest in preserving any of the country’s traditions.)
- $10,000 to Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt’s (get this) Rely on Your Beliefs Fund (now if that doesn’t choke you up, you’re obviously an anarchist);
- $5,000 to Virginia’s Rep. Dave Brat’s Building and Restoring America Together PAC (oh, puh-leeze!);
- $10,000 to Texas Rep. Pete (please tell us he’s not related to Jeff) Sessions’s People for Enterprise Trade and Economic Growth (PETE—how clever, but shouldn’t it be PETEG?) PAC;
- $5,000 for Texas Rep. Will Hurd’s Having Unwavering Resolve and Determination PAC;
- $5,000 to Texas Rep. Mike Conaway’s Conservative Opportunities for a New America PAC;
- $10,000 to Pennsylvania Rep. Keith Rothfus’s Relight America PAC;
- $5,000 to Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry’s Patriots for Perry PAC (the obvious implication being that no patriot could possibly be for his opponent);
- $10,000 to Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly’s Keep America Rolling PAC (Could this be a subliminal reference to the “Let’s roll” words of Todd Beamer who tried unsuccessfully to disarm hijackers on United Flight 93 just before it crashed in the Pennsylvania countryside on 9/11?).
None of this is intended to diminish, ridicule, or scorn the true patriotic love of this country on anyone’s behalf. Patriotism is a wonderful thing as long as it is kept in perspective. But to allow the love of country to blind you to the shortcomings of our so-called leaders who sell patriotism like a carnival barker sells tickets to a lurid peep show is not my definition of the word. It in fact cheapens the definition.
To paraphrase our most recent former governor, at the end of the day, no one—and I do mean NO ONE, without exception—contributes to a political campaign in the amounts doled out by the Kochs and their ilk, without expecting something in return. That something is always personal enrichment.
So, before you base your decision on a candidate based on the half-truths and outright lies of TV political ads, check to see who gets what in the form of CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
Make your decision an intelligent one, not one based on looks or sound bites. Like anything else worthwhile, it takes a little work to do it right.
Louisiana Voice 
Neither Republican or Democrat politicians have the will or even the desire to stop the flow of cash from billionaires to politicians – although the Republicans are definitely in the lead here. We, the people, need to stop allowing our votes to be bought by dubious, but well-funded campaign ads. Voters refusing to be bought & misled by those spending the most on local, state, & national elections is the only thing that will change this status quo.
These lies are better then anything liberals in Washington has put I thought the voice was attempting to deliver the truth
First, try and make your subject and verb agree. Second, sometimes the truth hurts and calling it a lie doesn’t make it one. Everything I wrote is verifiable and thoroughly documented and vetted.
“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” ― Isaac Asimov
Due to Citizens United these awful PACs may be legal, but they are NOT moral.
You’ve once again done a superb job of encapsulating this sordid cabal.
Another very good column,
Both excellent and despairing at the same time Tom.
Of the list of alleged horribles that the Republican Congress and Republican President are doing, let’s take the last point, the one that comments on the amendment to Dodd Frank.
The legislation passed the House 258-159, with 33 Democrats supporting it.
It passed the Senate 67 to 31 with 17 Democratic senators supporting it.
One source to check this is:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/22/house-passes-bank-bill-rolling-back-dodd-frank-rules.html
I doubt these Democrats voting for the amendment of Dodd Frank felt being massaged by the Koch Brothers.
But of course Aswell does not mention these little details.
The amendment to Dodd Frank is a complicated issue, because the original legislation was not perfect, and needed to be amended, and there was broad agreement on that.
But, do not let these pesky details get in the way of trashing Trump.
So much for an elevated discourse.
Yes, there were Democrats who crossed over and yes, Dodd-Frank was imperfect and needed to be “amended.” It did not need to be repealed.
If you read my posts regularly, you know my distaste for both parties.
Pretty lame retort. A long winded way to just say some dems are also bought and paid for. Sooooo? The article makes so many other important points you triflin’ ol’ troll ya!
Retort? What I wrote was a retort? Well I’ll be batter-dipped and deep-fried. But if you say it was a retort, I guess it must have been a retort. But lame? Shoot, I can be more lame than that without even breaking a sweat.
If we as a nation do not wake up and wrest power from corrupt politicians who have sold out to the big money interests, our days as the land of the free residing in a representative republic are numbered. Every great and powerful nation has seen its influence diminish and dominant role come to an end.
We are witnessing the beginning of the end of our rich and comfortable way of life, and our role as a moral and mighty world leader after only 242 years, half the length of the Roman republic, which if memory of history serves, then became an authoritarian state ruled by emperors.
Regardless of political affiliation, we should heed the warnings of astute observers, put aside partisan division, which is being deliberately fueled and driven by American oligarchs, and take back our nation from the corporatists intent on owning everything and everyone.
And by all means, read Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine. It’s not fiction.
I love Earth Mother! She knows what she’s talking about. One other comment is a troll, for sure. I think we can all spot which one! Great article! They are ALL bought and paid for. And the citizens will lose thanks to Citizen’s United. Ironic name for that, isn’t it?
Supporting conservative candidates is ok by me. The Koch brothers rank about 59th on the list of political contributors. The swamp, better known as bureaucrats are much more of a threat to our way of life.
Actually, Michael, you should fact check your information. The Koch brothers spent about $600 million on the 2016 elections, about $60,000 per hour. I don’t think anyone else, not even super liberal George Soros ($17.7 million) or super conservative Sheldon Adelson ($47.3 million), even comes close. Now if you’re talking about dark money flowing into the 501(c)(3) non-profits, then you might be correct
As for the bureaucrats you so fear, remember who appointed them: politicians elected by campaign money from these donors. You’re correct. It is a swamp and it needs draining. But do you see anyone draining it? All I see is a new bunch of hogs replacing the old hogs at the trough, but still hogs.
It seems that most folks who think have already realized that our democratic process is in grave danger. I have heard the call for citizens to get busy and correct this legal corruption…now, I need to see the “how to” that is so strong, well-planned, well-led that millions can join in and deliver defeat to this successful take over of our government at all levels. In other words, What is the plan?
I would think the plan would to do as Tom suggests…do our homework on elections and learn the issues, examine where the campaign contributions come from, and vote intelligently instead of basing our decisions on TV ads that distort and twist the truth or on the basis of who looks and sounds the best. In other words, don’t be “out-thunk” by slick TV commercials. (Old Abe would never make it today, would he?)
An economic prognosticator you are not. We are staring down the best economy in 40 years at you tell people the sky is falling. You must be a genius!
Ben, I remember the same “best economy” rhetoric just before the 2008 fall. It doesn’t take a genius to see that deregulation of these greedy banks is a huge mistake. And this “best economy” you’re talking about hasn’t translated into higher wages, just higher profits for the corporations. It doesn’t take an “economic prognosticator” to see that, just a little objectivity. https://crooksandliars.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b79560977ef0d50a412db2c8&id=02c1f89ea9&e=31e782a054
Although you have a distaste for both parties, I hardly ever remember you going after the democrats with the same fervor as you do republicans. Both parties are dragging us down the slippery slope, Whether it’s the Koch brothers or Soros and his many money laundering minions, it seems like the little guy doesn’t stand a chance.
The information listed in the article above is very true indeed. For DECADES — since the advent of TV and MASS MEDIA in this country, RIGHT WING MILLIONAIRES and BILLIONAIRES have controlled the MAINSTREAM MEDIA. With this control, they have very effectively indoctrinated huge portions of the populace to share their agenda of WAR, GREED, and the dismantling of PUBLIC SERVICES for the majority of the populace. I wish that the people who have allowed themselves to be brainwashed by such people and the MEDIA they have controlled could see that anyone who wants to topple programs for working people like SOCIAL SECURITY, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, a sane and AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM for all (instead of the “FOR PROFIT SYSTEM” the GREEDY PHARMACEUTICALS impose upon us), are not working for the best interests of all of us. Those people should ask themselves one question: Why does a small 1 percent control more than 60 percent of the wealth in the country while so many other hard-working people are in poverty? What kind of system is that?.
Tom Aswell is correct. Our democracy has been hijacked by Koch Bros and other wealthy donors who before and especially after Citizens United have been funding numerous patriotic sounding front organizations to wage stealth campaigns of misinformation with the objective of tearing down our government and maximizing their corporate agenda. They have formed organizations so extensive that collectively they bypass the two major political parties in exerting influence on our electoral process. If Graves, Johnson and Scalise are taking money from Koch Bros, then they don’t represent people who want to make Louisiana a better place to live and work. Read Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right by Jane Mayer.
great research and expected comments! I just received a compilation of your points via a report card from my Congressman Ralph Abraham. printed at taxpayer expense, Brags about another anti-abortion lunacy, supported (he voted) a goofy Veteran bill used to further privatize the VA medical, and he is opening another satellite office, in St. Francisville, because his district is too far to drive, in the interest of preventing government waste. Wonder if Mr. Winham got this same notice??love always ron thompson