Today's Teamster News 11.10.13

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/economic-growth-q3-2013_n_4232329.html" rel="nofollow">U.S. Economy Expanded At Surprising Rate Ahead Of The Government Shutdown</a>  Associated Press   ...The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.8 percent annual rate from July through September, a surprising sign of strength ahead of the 16-day partial government shutdown. Exports rose, businesses stocked up, home construction increased and state and local governments spent at the fastest pace in four years…Analysts expect the shutdown will slow growth in the October-December quarter…<br /><a href="http://truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/item/18302-koch-brothers-organized-federal-shutdown" rel="nofollow">How the Koch Brothers Organized the Federal Shutdown</a>  Buzzflash   ...The two chief contributors to Cruz's political career donated over a million dollars to it (and no other entity donated as much as $100,000 to it). These two top sources of contributions to Mr. Cruz's political career were Club For Growth, and Senate Conservatives Fund, which together donated over a million dollars to it...<br /><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/08/2919341/switzerland-executive-compensation-limits/" rel="nofollow">Switzerland Weighs Radical Approach To Runaway Executive Compensation</a>  ThinkProgress   ...A referendum is set for November 24 on a law called the “1:12 Initiative” that would impose a flexible cap on top employee compensation at Swiss companies. If approved, the highest-paid employee of any given Swiss firm could not earn more in a month than its lowest-paid employee makes in a year...<br /><a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-origins-and-evolution-of-the-trans-pacific-partnership-tpp/5357495?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-origins-and-evolution-of-the-trans-pacific-partnership-tpp" rel="nofollow">The Origins and Evolution of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)</a>  Global Research   ...THE free trade agreement being negotiated by the regional bloc known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has provoked widespread opposition in the countries involved in its negotiation...<br /><a href="http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/11/the-tpp-if-passed-spells-the-end-of-popular-sovereignty-for-the-united-states.html" rel="nofollow">The TPP, If Passed, Spells the End of Popular Sovereignty for the United States</a>  naked capitalism   ...TPP replaces popular sovereignty with transnational investor rule, in two ways...<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/nov/09/bank-of-america-us-864m-mortgage-verdict" rel="nofollow">US seeks $864m from Bank of America after mortgage fraud verdict</a>  The Guardian   ...Countrywide's program emphasized and rewarded employees for the quantity rather than the quality of loans produced, and eliminated checkpoints designed to ensure that loans were sound...<br /><a href="http://m.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/11/a-fraying-of-the-public-private-surveillance-partnership/281289/" rel="nofollow">A Fraying of the Public/Private Surveillance Partnership</a>  The Atlantic   ...The publicity resulting from the Snowden documents has made companies think twice before allowing the NSA access to their users' and customers' data...<br /><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/05/1253318/-Wage-theft-outstrips-bank-gas-station-and-convenience-store-robberies?detail=email#" rel="nofollow">Wage theft outstrips bank, gas station and convenience store robberies</a>  DailyKos   ...Fully 64 percent of low-wage workers have some amount of pay stolen out of their paychecks by their employers every week, including 26 percent who are effectively paid less than minimum wage...<br /><a href="http://www.thenation.com/blog/177043/scott-walker-effect-helping-democrats-win-and-republicans-lose#" rel="nofollow">The Scott Walker Effect: Helping Democrats Win and Republicans Lose</a>  The Nation   ...Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli counted on Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to provide the conservative candidate with some of the “star power” he needed to get him elected November 5. It didn’t work...<br /><br />

bank criminality economy government shutdown Koch brothers mortgage fraud scott walker spying TPP wage theft Today's Teamster News 11.10.13

U.S. Economy Expanded At Surprising Rate Ahead Of The Government Shutdown  Associated Press   ...The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.8 percent annual rate from July through September, a surprising sign of strength ahead of the 16-day partial government …

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Kochs are at it again, attacking your Social Security

<div style="background-color: white;">Sen. Bernie Sanders is raising the alarm about greedy billionaires like the  <strike style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;"><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2011/10/bombshell-kochs-sold-oil-equipment-to.html" style="color: #336699;">Benedict Arnold</a></strike> Koch brothers trying to cut our Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Because their greed knows no limit, they want more for themselves.<br /><br />We received an email from Bernie that we thought we'd share with you:<br /><blockquote>They're at it again. </blockquote><blockquote>Billionaires like the Koch Brothers, Pete Peterson, Stanley Druckenmiller and others are leading the charge to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. </blockquote><blockquote>If they succeed, millions of senior citizens, working families, disabled veterans and children will suffer. We must not allow that to happen. </blockquote><blockquote>Today, the middle class is disappearing, real unemployment is extremely high, poverty is increasing and working families throughout the country are struggling to keep their heads above water economically. Meanwhile, the gap between the very rich and everyone else is growing wider and wider and the wealthiest people and the largest corporations are doing phenomenally well. </blockquote><blockquote>We must not balance the budget on the backs of working families, the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor. </blockquote><blockquote>As Vermont's senator, I have the honor of serving on the Budget Conference Committee which will be negotiating a new federal budget over the next few months -- and where I am fearful that a deal could be struck to slash Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits. </blockquote><blockquote><a href="https://teamster.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://caf.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2%26c=aQsw3tIOFnxpop08Xau3ZjVH3RGaJD3v" target="_blank">As the founder of the Defending Social Security Caucus, please stand with me, our friends at Social Security Works and our coalition partners in demanding; "No grand bargain in exchange for cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits."</a> </blockquote><blockquote>Let's be clear. Despite right-wing rhetoric:<ul style="background-color: white;"><li>Social Security is not going broke. According to the Social Security Administration, Social Security has a surplus today of $2.8 trillion and can pay out every benefit owed to every eligible person for the next 20 years.</li></ul><ul style="background-color: white;"><li>Social Security has not contributed to the deficit. Social Security is funded independently by FICA taxes which are paid by workers and their employers.</li></ul><a class="buttonthing" href="https://teamster.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://caf.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2%26c=26YuB4UzYGhHBKb3QANTLklE39OdngJ8" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Sign this petition.</a> </blockquote><blockquote>The so-called chained-CPI, which recalculates how COLA's are formulated, is not a "modest tweak." If the chained CPI went into effect today, a senior aged 65 would receive $658 a year less in Social Security benefits when he/she is 75, and $1,100 a year less at age 85. Further, the average disabled veteran would lose tens of thousands of dollars in benefits over his/her lifetime. </blockquote><blockquote><a href="https://teamster.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://caf.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2%26c=P5gEI205klVWPxZZYFMWIElE39OdngJ8" target="_blank">Please stand with me today and demand that Congress and the President oppose any grand bargain which cuts Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits.</a> </blockquote><blockquote><br />When one out of four U.S. corporations pay nothing in federal income taxes; when Bush's tax breaks for the rich remain in place for many wealthy Americans; when the U.S. spends almost as much as the rest of the world combined on defense, there are much fairer and economically sound ways to address the budget than cutting programs desperately needed by the most vulnerable people in our country. </blockquote><blockquote><a href="https://teamster.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://caf.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2%26c=4Etw6IQzVgW8pu8KEYXPlUlE39OdngJ8" target="_blank">Please stand with me and Campaign for America's Future in protecting the future of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits.</a> </blockquote><blockquote>Let's go forward together. Thanks for your continued support. </blockquote><blockquote>Sincerely,<br /><img alt="Bernie Sanders" src="https://teamster.org/exchweb/img/clear1x1.gif" /><br />U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders</blockquote></div><span style="background-color: white;"></span>

austerity Koch brothers social security Kochs are at it again, attacking your Social Security

Sen. Bernie Sanders is raising the alarm about greedy billionaires like the  Benedict Arnold Koch brothers trying to cut our Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Because their greed knows no limit, they want more for themselves.We received an emai…

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Today's Teamster News 10.28.13

<a href="http://www.alternet.org/economy/point-seveners-new-name-millionaires-club" rel="nofollow">America’s Wealthy Are Even Wealthier And Have A New Name: Point-Seveners</a>  Alternet   ...America has 45,000 citizens worth more than $50 million...<br /><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/10/26/dark_money_groups_linked_to_koch_brothers_pay_1_million_in_fines_partner/" rel="nofollow">Dark money groups linked to Koch brothers pay $1 million in fines</a>  Salon   ...They allegedly spent a combined $15 million on conservative ballot proposals without proper disclosure...<br /><a href="http://www.alternet.org/education/great-voucher-fraud" rel="nofollow">The Great Voucher Fraud</a>  Alternet   ... decades of accumulated evidence paints a different story: Vouchers do not improve educational outcomes, they take money away from struggling public schools, they’re cash cows for institutions offering questionable education, they aid students already attending private institutions and they ignore the needs of special-education students...<br /><a href="http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2013/10/27/Recall-222959-pounds-of-ready-to-eat-chicken-salad-products/UPI-68441382896086/" rel="nofollow">Recall: 222,959 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken salad products</a>  UPI   ...Boston Salads and Provisions Company is recalling about 222,959 pounds of chicken salad products due to possible contamination with Listeria, officials say...<br /><a href="http://thediplomat.com/china-power/the-us-is-quietly-losing-its-innovation-edge-to-china/" rel="nofollow">The US Is Quietly Losing Its Innovation Edge to China</a>  The Diplomat   ...Between 2003 and 2013, the number of applications increased from nearly 35,000 to more than 51,000, while NIH appropriations shrunk from $21 billion to $16 billion (in 1995 dollars). As a consequence, it has become increasingly difficult for our scientists to garner an NIH grant…The story is dramatically different on the China side. The government is determined to be the next technology innovation center in the world. By 2011, China had already become the world’s second highest investor in R&D. Government research funding has been growing at an annual rate of more than 20 percent...<br /><a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/10/another-reason-hate-tpp-it-gives-big-content-new-tools-undermine-sane-digital" rel="nofollow">Another Reason to Hate TPP: It Gives Big Content New Tools to Undermine Sane Digital Rights Policies</a>  EFF   ...TPP would give multinational companies the power to sue countries over laws that that might diminish the value of their company or cut into their expected future profits...<br /><a href="http://soberlook.com/2013/10/has-great-recession-created-behavioral.html" rel="nofollow">Has the Great Recession created behavioral changes in the labor markets?</a>  Sober Look   ...One of the persistent problems with the US labor markets is the current pool of unemployed people taking far longer to find work than in the past. This would suggest that the key for those without work is to enter the workforce as quickly as possible - even if it means part-time, temp, consulting, etc. The barriers to re-entry are much higher these days than any time in recent decades...<br /><a href="http://thediplomat.com/asia-life/2013/10/mizuho-banks-yakuza-scandal-more-than-30-execs-to-be-punished/" rel="nofollow">Mizuho Bank’s Yakuza Scandal: More than 30 Execs to be Punished</a>  The Diplomat   ...More than 30 executives at Mizuho Financial Group, Japan’s third largest bank, will be held accountable for making loans to the country’s organized crime syndicates, known as the yakuza...<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/magazine/could-new-york-city-subways-survive-another-hurricane.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow">Could New York City Subways Survive Another Hurricane?</a>  New York Times   ...you see what it will take to keep the system going: technological improvements, yes, but also the oldest technology of all — the knowledge of the people who run the subway, many of whom have been there for their entire working lives...<br /><a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/what-even-is-a-wisconsin-john-doe-investigation" rel="nofollow">What Is Going On in Wisconsin -- And Why Is It So Secret? </a> Talking Points Memo   ... a former federal prosecutor had been appointed to lead a "John Doe investigation" into state-level issues in Wisconsin, including the 2011 and 2012 recall elections. And this John Doe investigation reportedly grew out of an earlier John Doe probe, which closed in March after snaring six former aides and associates of Gov. Scott Walker (R)...<br /><br /><br />

bank criminality China food safety Hurricane Sandy inequality innovation Koch brothers scott walker TPP unemployment WI Today's Teamster News 10.28.13

America’s Wealthy Are Even Wealthier And Have A New Name: Point-Seveners  Alternet   ...America has 45,000 citizens worth more than $50 million...Dark money groups linked to Koch brothers pay $1 million in fines  Salon   ...They allegedly spent a com…

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Koch brothers' illegal campaign finance network exposed, fined

California <a href="http://teamster.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamsters</a> and allies used the power of their numbers last year to defeat Proposition 32, an anti-worker proposal secretly funded by the<strike> <a href="http://benedict%20arnold/" rel="nofollow">Benedict Arnold</a></strike> Koch Brothers and other anti-worker billionaires.  Now, California officials are demanding the billionaires' Proposition 32 slush funds pay back all of the money from donors that they refused to identify.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOdfGJkiyR2d2UexVRnxwZQTdfuW8y1-sHwInFUF1frpWwsMSAdIlMUT8w7PMS_68LhyphenhyphenXtti-wCTL4RUSQJ2i_4dvoc0OtxnVnJdfyNl9NQHqkWp35V5Zffmmx8Za-1ln1I9d9JY1RWa5/s1600/vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teamsters efforts helped save political speech in California." border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOdfGJkiyR2d2UexVRnxwZQTdfuW8y1-sHwInFUF1frpWwsMSAdIlMUT8w7PMS_68LhyphenhyphenXtti-wCTL4RUSQJ2i_4dvoc0OtxnVnJdfyNl9NQHqkWp35V5Zffmmx8Za-1ln1I9d9JY1RWa5/s320/vote.jpg" title="Go vote! Teamsters efforts helped save political speech in California." width="212" /></a>Proposition 32 was written to eliminate union political activities, and workers opposed it across the state. Thanks to <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2012/10/calif-teamsters-out-in-force-against.html" rel="nofollow">Teamster efforts, over 25,000 Californians registered to vote</a> for the first time to defeat the measure.  Several thousand more mobilized to vote down the ballot question. Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa rallied workers to spread awareness about the devastation that the bill would cause. Hoffa said:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Proposition 32 is an attack on union workers by the same anti-union, corporate special interests that have waged war against organized labor across the country.  Everything that Prop. 32 represents must be defeated here and now. If we allow this anti-worker measure to go forward, it could spread across the country, further weakening our middle class.</blockquote>California heeded his call. <br /><br />In November 2012, 56 percent of voters rejected Proposition 32, despite almost <a href="http://www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/elections2012/propositions/whos-funding-prop-32-prohibiting-contributions-through-payroll-deductions.html" rel="nofollow">$75 million dollars </a>worth of anti-union propaganda spread across the state.<br /><br />But where did the money come from?<br /><br />From the Koch network, according to a story today by Dan Morain in the<a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/25/5850222/dan-morain.html#mi_rss=Opinion" rel="nofollow"> Sacramento Bee</a>. Two Republican operatives cooked up Proposition 32, managed to get it on the ballot and then went looking for the money to broadcast their propaganda. There was plenty of it -- many millions, in fact. The only problem was, the greedy billionaires who contributed didn't want their identities known. And California law requires disclosure of political donations.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPu_m3OVz8-p9ys-rIpFAjk7Xsy7Xy7dBzoTAOgkU5G0_Ssx20bGFMvxH8BhLFISieqgoQL8TFfcwJePgFbn4oXtzJ8UVQ4o7QmhVIaqhFmDYLOQsRwssT2WgiW-YZgywkHdxahdXvjx1/s1600/lobbyist+money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPu_m3OVz8-p9ys-rIpFAjk7Xsy7Xy7dBzoTAOgkU5G0_Ssx20bGFMvxH8BhLFISieqgoQL8TFfcwJePgFbn4oXtzJ8UVQ4o7QmhVIaqhFmDYLOQsRwssT2WgiW-YZgywkHdxahdXvjx1/s200/lobbyist+money.jpg" width="200" /></a>So the two operatives laundered the Koch network money through political funds in Iowa and Arizona called the Center to Protect Patient Rights and Americans for Responsible Leadership. Those two groups donated $15 million to two California groups set up to promote Proposition 32. The Sacramento Bee reported on the good news:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;"><br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/25/5850222/dan-morain.html#mi_rss=Opinion#storylink=cpy</div>California authorities levied $500,000 fines on the Center to Protect Patient Rights and Americans for Responsible Leadership, both in Arizona and both part of the Koch brothers’ network.</blockquote>California authorities also want the two California groups to give the state $15 million -- the amount they spent illegally. But as Morain concludes:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The groups probably will avoid paying by ceasing to exist and fading into the woodwork. Such is the way of campaign money in 2013.<div style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; width: 1px;"><br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/25/5850222/dan-morain.html#mi_rss=Opinion#storylink=cpy</div><div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;"><br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/25/5850222</div></blockquote>Despite the millions of dollars rich extremists were willing to throw at Proposition 32, workers were ultimately able to prevail because they stood united against big business.  When you go to the polls on the 5th, remember that you, with your Teamster brothers and sisters, conquer greedy CEOs and billionaires too.

campaign finance Koch brothers Proposition 32 Koch brothers' illegal campaign finance network exposed, fined

California Teamsters and allies used the power of their numbers last year to defeat Proposition 32, an anti-worker proposal secretly funded by the Benedict Arnold Koch Brothers and other anti-worker billionaires.  Now, California officials are demand…

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Kochs’ vast dark money network exposed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3OPJCPhfJhuq8sLoGzOIOFOGAtvnm_NH_ZcEnMbsy3l2Fi93oa9CXdB25rKILltx7P6cUwLXGlqJ0YWoLcctA-gxFU6B4bTtey5D7UDw49p2kkxtXAg9vG896QMiFGT1XrnsDsd8bD8t/s1600/Koch-Brothers-Exposed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3OPJCPhfJhuq8sLoGzOIOFOGAtvnm_NH_ZcEnMbsy3l2Fi93oa9CXdB25rKILltx7P6cUwLXGlqJ0YWoLcctA-gxFU6B4bTtey5D7UDw49p2kkxtXAg9vG896QMiFGT1XrnsDsd8bD8t/s200/Koch-Brothers-Exposed.png" width="200" /></a></div>New tax filings by a Koch-funded front group reveal the staggering scope of the political machine that wants to destroy workers' rights and turn us into feudal serfs. Exposed secret political spending by “<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/behind-the-curtain-exclusive-the-koch-brothers-secret-bank-96669.html" rel="nofollow">Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce,” which included $250 million during the 2012 election cycle</a>, shines a light on the vast shadowy network of organizations, LLCs and business groups promoting anti-worker causes.<br /><br /><div>Our friends at the <a href="http://www.prwatch.org/cmd" rel="nofollow">Center for Media and Democracy</a> have <a href="http://prwatch.org/news/2013/09/12247/breaking-new-list-dark-money-shell-game-groups-connected-kochs" rel="nofollow">the story</a>:</div><blockquote class="tr_bq">The Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce's tax filing also lists the names and amounts of all of the entities it funded between late 2011 and the eve of the 2012 elections. Here is the list of the top five groups to which the Kochs' Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce funneled millions:</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"Corner Table LLC," known as the "<strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Center_to_Protect_Patient_Rights" rel="nofollow">Center to Protect Patient Rights</a></strong>" (CPPR): three infusions of cash totaling $114,678,000. CPPR is at the center of a probe by the California Elections Board on "dark money" spent through shell groups to influence two ballot initiatives, among other concerns that have been raised about it.    </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"PR Dist LLC," described as "<strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Americans_for_Prosperity" rel="nofollow">Americans for Prosperity</a></strong>," which is directed by David Koch: two infusions totaling $31,600,000.  </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong>The 60 Plus Association Inc.</strong>," $15,660,000  </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/American_Future_Fund" rel="nofollow">American Future Fund</a></strong>," $13,600,000 </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong>Concerned Women for American</strong> Legislative Action Committee," $8,150,000 </li></ul></blockquote><div>Freedom Partners’ tax report also shows it owns five other shell game groups that all share the same Washington DC street address: “American Entrepreneur Fund LLC,” “American Enterprise Group LLC,” “American Strategies Group LLC,” “MIC LLC,” and “American Strategic Innovations LLC."<br /><br />Creepy!<br /><br />CMD reports that the “<a href="http://sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Federation_of_Independent_Business" rel="nofollow">National Federation of Independent Business</a>” received $2.5 from the Koch-funded “Freedom Partners” group. The NFIB claims to represent the interests of small business owners, yet it’s getting millions from the Kochs’ big corporation ... which would just as soon crush the small businesses that try to compete with it.<br /></div><div>And in case you needed a reminder of how intricate and well-funded the right-wing anti-worker arsenal is, there’s more:</div><blockquote class="tr_bq">Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce spent another $50 million on other groups, cumulatively, some of which are well known and some of which have flown below the public's radar:</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/American_Commitment" rel="nofollow">American Commitment</a></strong>," $6,260,000 </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong>Partnership for Ohio's Future</strong>," $500,000  </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong>West Michigan Policy Forum</strong>," $1,000,000  </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/American_Energy_Alliance" rel="nofollow">American Energy Alliance</a></strong>," $1,460,000 (has previously been connected to the Kochs) </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong>American Values Action</strong>," $230,000 (spent $14 million on "independent expenditures" including phone calls against Obama during the 2012 election; donors unknown/not registered as a PAC)  </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong>Common Sense Issues, Inc.</strong>," $50,000 </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong>Heritage Action for America, Inc.</strong>," $500,000 (connected to the Heritage Foundation, which has deep Koch connections)  </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"ORRA LLC (<strong>EVANGCH4 Trust</strong>)," $5,055,000 </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"POFN LLC (<strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Public_Notice" rel="nofollow">Public Notice</a></strong>)," $5,466,250  </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Republican_Jewish_Coalition" rel="nofollow">Republican Jewish Coalition</a></strong>," $700,000 </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"RION LLC (<strong>Center for Shared Service Trust</strong>), $2,738,000 (closely connected to the Charles Koch Foundation) </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"SLAH LLC (<strong>Public Engagement Trust</strong>)," $1,500,000 (Arlington)</li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong>State Tea Party Express</strong>," $600,000 (operates out of Willows, California) </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"STN LLC (<strong>Themis Trust</strong>)," $5,781,000 </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"TONA LLC (<strong>Libre Initiative Trust</strong>)," $3,112,000 </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"<strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Tea_Party_Patriots" rel="nofollow">Tea Party Patriots</a></strong>," $200,000 (operating out of Woodstock, Georgia)</li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>"TRGN LLC (<strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Generation_Opportunity" rel="nofollow">Generation Opportunity</a></strong>), $5,040,000 (a group aimed at Gen X that tries to pin the economic crash that began under President George W. Bush on Democrats) </li></ul></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li><strong>"The </strong><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Right_to_Work_Committee" rel="nofollow"><strong>National Right to Work Committee</strong></a><strong>," $1,000,000 (which pushes anti-worker, union-busting measures)</strong></li></ul></blockquote><div>The next time you hear about a “grassroots” organization of concerned citizens whining about “big government” and “big labor” while calling for things like “right to work” for less laws and financial deregulation, odds are that those ordinary folks are in fact right-wing billionaire goons – or at least they’re getting paid by right-wing billionaire goons.   </div>

dark money Koch brothers right to work (for LESS) vast right-wing conspiracy Kochs’ vast dark money network exposed

New tax filings by a Koch-funded front group reveal the staggering scope of the political machine that wants to destroy workers' rights and turn us into feudal serfs. Exposed secret political spending by “Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce,” which …

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The Libertarian Hypocrisy Test

Ever find yourself in a discussion with a self-proclaimed "libertarian" who believes in "free markets?" They can't accept that some rich people aren't rich because they deserve it, but because they pillaged, looted and plundered and then got away with it.<br /><br />Our friend R.J. Eskow wrote a great piece for <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/09/12/11_questions_to_see_if_libertarians_are_hypocrites/" rel="nofollow">Salon</a> in which he exposes the nuttiness of the libertarian beliefs that order in society arises "spontaneously" and that market forces always produce the best outcome.<br /><br />The <strike><a href="http://benedict%20arnold/" rel="nofollow">Benedict Arnold</a></strike> Koch brothers are big advocates of what they call libertarianism. They spend millions on think tanks and front groups that claim to promote libertarian views -- mostly because that sounds better than "we're tools of greedy corporations." The brothers are notorious for benefiting from huge amounts of government largesse while demanding spending cuts for everyone else. They get big government contracts, enormous ethanol subsidies, use taxpayer-funded roads for logging operations and graze their cattle for free on federal land.<br /><br />So if you find yourself talking to someone who claims to be a libertarian, try the Libertarian Hypocrisy Test out on them:<br /><ol><li>Are unions examples of "spontaneous order"?</li><li>Are you willing to admit that production is the result of many forces, each of which needs to be rewarded?</li><li>Can you acknowledge that employees who bargain with their employer, either individually or collectively, are employing market forces?</li><li>Are you willing to admit that the "free market" requires regulation?</li><li>Do you believe in democracy? If yes, what's wrong with democratic governments that regulate?</li><li>Do you use wealth that wouldn't exist without government in order to preach against government?</li><li>Do you reject the government's protection of your intellectual property?</li><li>Do you recognize that democracy is a form of marketplace?</li><li>Do you recognize that large corporations are a threat to our freedom?</li><li>Do you agree that Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi are parasites?</li><li>Why weren’t you willing to accept as final the judgment against libertarianism rendered decades ago in the free and unfettered marketplace of ideas?</li></ol>Read the whole thing <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/09/12/11_questions_to_see_if_libertarians_are_hypocrites/" rel="nofollow">here</a>.<br /><br />

corporate greed Koch brothers The Libertarian Hypocrisy Test

Ever find yourself in a discussion with a self-proclaimed "libertarian" who believes in "free markets?" They can't accept that some rich people aren't rich because they deserve it, but because they pillaged, looted and plundered and then got away wit…

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Vast anti-worker Kochaganda machine exposed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3OPJCPhfJhuq8sLoGzOIOFOGAtvnm_NH_ZcEnMbsy3l2Fi93oa9CXdB25rKILltx7P6cUwLXGlqJ0YWoLcctA-gxFU6B4bTtey5D7UDw49p2kkxtXAg9vG896QMiFGT1XrnsDsd8bD8t/s1600/Koch-Brothers-Exposed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3OPJCPhfJhuq8sLoGzOIOFOGAtvnm_NH_ZcEnMbsy3l2Fi93oa9CXdB25rKILltx7P6cUwLXGlqJ0YWoLcctA-gxFU6B4bTtey5D7UDw49p2kkxtXAg9vG896QMiFGT1XrnsDsd8bD8t/s200/Koch-Brothers-Exposed.png" width="200" /></a></div>Charles and David Koch spent more than $100 million to buy the government and convince the public that what they're doing is okay, according to a new report.<br /><br />It took two years for the <a href="http://investigativereportingworkshop.org/investigations/the_koch_club/story/Koch_millions_spread_influence_through_nonprofits/">Investigative Reporting Workshop</a> to uncover the extent of the <strike style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;"><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2011/10/bombshell-kochs-sold-oil-equipment-to.html" style="color: #336699;">Benedict Arnold</a></strike> Koch brothers' vast influence-peddling machine.<br /><br />These predatory<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_C._Koch"> heirs to an energy conglomerate</a> don't just buy politicians. They pay for phony grass-roots groups, colleges and universities. They underwrite an army of lobbyists and propaganda mills masquerading as nonpartisan think tanks. They fund "charitable" foundations to <a href="http://www.salon.com/2012/12/11/koch_brothers_tea_party_cash_drives_michigan_right_to_work_bill/">undermine workers' rights</a> and<a href="http://www.opednews.com/Quicklink/Billionaire-Koch-Brother-S-in-Best_Web_OpEds-130712-672.html"> lower their pay</a>.<br /><br />Five Koch-funded "foundations" contributed $41.2 million to nonprofits, $30.5 million to institutions of higher learning and $46.3 million to medicine, humanities and arts organizations (like PBS, which <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/05/kochs-23m-buys-kid-gloves-from-public-tv.html">spiked an independent documentary critical of the Kochs</a>.)<br /><br />As if that isn't enough, the Kochtopus is spreading its tentacles in new directions. Recently it started to secretly donate to the <a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org/2013/02/14/12151/following-donors-trust-money-trail">Donors' Trust</a> group, which funnels money to the corporate escort group for state lawmakers called <a href="http://alecexposed.org/">ALEC</a>. They are starting another corporate empowerment group called the Association for American Innovation, which of course tries to quash innovative new competition to entrenched businesses. And they set up a transparently political group called "American Commitment."<br /><br />Let's be clear. The Koch brothers have no commitment to America. Their commitment is to greed. What's especially frustrating is that they are getting away with calling "American Commitment" a "social welfare nonprofit group." What it really does is take political sides and propagandizes against clean energy. If "American Commitment" were to succeed, the main beneficiary would be (wait for it) Koch Industries. <br /><br />The law says private foundations can't "be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests." Yet Koch-linked nonprofits testified before congressional panels at least 49 times.<br /><br />Guess it helps to own the government, right? Between 2007 through 2012,<br /><ul><li>The Kochs and their foundations gave <b>$8.7 million</b> to candidates and the Republican Party;</li><li>Koch Industries’ lobbyists spent<b> $53.9 million</b> to help the giant corporation loot American taxpayers. </li><li>The Koch-founded phony Tea Party group, Americans for Prosperity, spent more than <b>$36 million</b> on political advertising in 2012, mostly to defeat President Obama. </li></ul>Here's what's even scarier: The Kochs are working hard to poison young minds with their corporate-empowerment agenda. They've given money to 221 colleges and universities, ranging from $1,000 to Wisconsin Lutheran College to $16 million to George Mason University.<br /><br />Why doesn't the mainstream media do more reporting on the billionaires' influence? The <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/billionaire-koch-brothers-use-web-to-take-on-media-reports-they-dispute/2013/07/14/6a0953a0-e5b5-11e2-a11e-c2ea876a8f30_story.html">Washington Post </a>offers an answer today:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">...aggressive tactics have become part of the playbook for Koch Industries and its owners, Charles and David Koch. Faced with news articles they consider flawed or biased, the brothers and their lieutenants don’t just send strongly worded letters to the editor in protest. Instead, the company takes the offensive, with detailed responses that oscillate between correcting, shaming and slamming journalists who’ve written unflattering stories about the company or the Kochs’ myriad political and philanthropic activities.</blockquote>We're glad at least that groups like the <a href="http://investigativereportingworkshop.org/investigations/the_koch_club/story/Koch_millions_spread_influence_through_nonprofits/">Investigative Reporting Workshop</a> and the <a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/07/12176/koch-club-new-report-details-how-brothers-spend-big-bucks">Center for Media and Democracy</a> are on the case. Because the Kochs are rumored to be interested in<a href="http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/06/26/potential-koch-tribune-takeover-sparks-concerns/194630"> buying one of the most prominent newspaper chains in America</a>.<br /><br />Be very afraid.<br /><br />

ALEC Koch brothers Vast anti-worker Kochaganda machine exposed

Charles and David Koch spent more than $100 million to buy the government and convince the public that what they're doing is okay, according to a new report.It took two years for the Investigative Reporting Workshop to uncover the extent of the Bened…

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Chicago Tribune to Teamsters on strike: 'Pay up, or no ad'

The Chicago Tribune is refusing to run an ad from Teamster funeral directors unless they spend the same amount on advertising -- $5,700 -- as the giant corporation they're striking against.  <br /><br />Fifty-nine funeral directors from Local 727 were forced to walk off the job yesterday morning due to the unrelenting greed of SCI, the Dignity Memorial company.Seeking support from the community, the funeral directors tried to place ads in the two biggest area newspapers: the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune.<br /><br />Unlike its rival, the <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/teamsters-sun-times-refuses-union-advertising-2013-06-28">Chicago Sun-Time</a>s, the Tribune did run an ad from Teamsters Local 727 last week. The ad linked to a website <a href="http://www.integrityinillinois.com/">www.integrityinillinois.com</a> that outlines their grievances -- wage freezes, higher health care costs, elimination of the pension. And it offers a list of alternative homes where grieving families can turn for help.<br /><br />The Sun-Times refused to run a similar ad. And then yesterday, the Tribune notified Local 727 that it would not run another one of their ads unless it bought one as expensive as the one paid for by <a href="http://www.integrityinillinois.com/who-is-sci--dignity.html">SCI</a>.<br /><br />To add insult to injury, the Tribune (which may, by the way, be purchased by the <strike style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;"><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2011/10/bombshell-kochs-sold-oil-equipment-to.html" style="color: #336699;">Benedict Arnold</a></strike> Koch brothers) published a hideously one-sided, pro-SCI story about the strike.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB2LBuK0qb_TcXEQ2xuYfywblT7no_uAbnuQ_b_11l7EhWTrnYJ_li-kFg1Axg8a66uqdZA1B1Zp3jeLBdPN1xSrYa4omwUgj-mP3zmAYr-u0Pbrwkv65YvBW9azwuDomM8_PLDL0PWcp/s640/Blake+Lamb+strike.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB2LBuK0qb_TcXEQ2xuYfywblT7no_uAbnuQ_b_11l7EhWTrnYJ_li-kFg1Axg8a66uqdZA1B1Zp3jeLBdPN1xSrYa4omwUgj-mP3zmAYr-u0Pbrwkv65YvBW9azwuDomM8_PLDL0PWcp/s320/Blake+Lamb+strike.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Chicagoland union households don't have much of a place to turn for print news anymore. (But at least there's <a href="http://laborradio.org/">WIN Labor Radio</a>!)<br /><br />If you live in Chicago, please consider supporting the funeral directors by dropping by their strike lines. If you do go, please be respectful. The funeral directors are taking down their signs and standing by quietly when funerals are in progress.<br /><br />Here are the addresses of the funeral homes they're picketing:<br /><blockquote>Blake-Lamb Funeral Home<br />4727 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Blake-Lamb Funeral Home<br />5015 Lincoln St., Lisle, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Cypress Funeral Home<br />1698 N. Bloomingdale Rd., Glendale Heights, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Drake & Son Funeral Home<br />5303 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Kenny Brothers Funeral Directors<br />3600 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Lloyd Mandel Levayah Funerals<br />4750 W. Dempster St., Skokie, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Malec Funeral Home<br />6000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Marsh Funeral Home<br />305 Cemetery Rd., Gurnee, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home<br />6901 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Piser Funeral Services<br />9200 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL </blockquote><blockquote>Ridge Funeral Home<br />6620 W. Archer Ave., Chicago, IL</blockquote>

funeral directors Koch brothers strike Chicago Tribune to Teamsters on strike: 'Pay up, or no ad'

The Chicago Tribune is refusing to run an ad from Teamster funeral directors unless they spend the same amount on advertising -- $5,700 -- as the giant corporation they're striking against.  Fifty-nine funeral directors from Local 727 were forced to …

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