February 25, 2012

Nexus Of Influence: Harold Simmons, Major Donor to Gov. Perry’s Super PAC Won Sweetheart Deal In Texas

Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons is in the news this week after obtaining the distinction of becoming the biggest super PAC donor in the country. USA Today reports that Simmons has funneled $12 million to the Karl Rove group called Crossroads, and has backed super PACs supporting Newt Gingrich and Gov. Rick Perry with millions more.
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February 25, 2012

Predatory Lending Kingpins Quietly Funnel Massive Donations To Romney’s SuperPAC

Ben Nelson, an intern with the crowd-sourced political transparency website LittleSis, has an interesting look at two donors to Restore Our Future, the pro-Romney super PAC. Nelson notes that the donors used third party corporate entities and foundations to donate hundreds of thousands to the group. Roderick Aycox, one of the donors, is head of
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February 24, 2012

VIDEO: The Oscar for Political Corruption in a Film Goes to…

It’s Hollywood’s biggest weekend and Republic Report wanted to pay tribute to the movies that best showcase the everyday corruption plaguing Washington, D.C. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Eddie Murphy, James Stewart, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, and more:

February 24, 2012

Heritage Foundation Analyst Opposed Defense Cuts Without Disclosure of Defense Industry Funding

One think tank defense analyst has been repeatedly either quoted in the media or given space to write op-eds blasting defense cuts and any other significant reductions of spending on the military: the Heritage Foundation’s James Carafano. Here’s just some of the times Carafano was given space to oppose defense cuts in just the past
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February 24, 2012

Did Corporate Front Group ALEC Give Eric Cantor A Potentially Illegal $1,350 Cash Award?

 The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is one of the most powerful corporate front groups in the country, working to pass its Big Business-written bills in state legislatures across the country. What is less known about ALEC is that it also has a federal government agenda, including advocating for lower corporate taxes and supporting dirty
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February 24, 2012

NYTimes’ Michael Roston Compares Scientist Involved In Heartland Institute Document Leak To James O’Keefe

Last week, ThinkProgress and DeSmogBlog published internal documents from the Heartland Institute. The files contained information about Heartland donors, as well as plans to develop a school curriculum for children that denied dangers of pollution and global warming. While the Heartland Institute advertises itself as a “free market” think tank, the documents suggest that the
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February 24, 2012

Today, Governors From Both Parties Join Lobbyists To Wine, Dine, And Discuss New NAFTA-Like Trade Deal

Later today, governors from both parties will gather at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington D.C. for an evening with powerful corporate lobbyists and businessmen to discuss a new free trade deal. Trade officials from the Obama administration are expected to brief attendees with information of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, a new trade agreement that
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February 23, 2012

Controversial For-Profit College Industry Gets Half of All The Funds From Vets Tuition Program

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) just released new Defense Department data showing that the troubled for-profit college sector — which has left many American deep in debt — received half of all military Tuition Assistance dollars last year — $280 million out of $563 million for college grants for active duty military.  During their decade of explosive
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