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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDemocratic Convention Hosted by Republican Donors, Anti-Obamacare Lobbyists
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/36824-democratic-convention-hosted-by-republican-donors-anti-obamacare-lobbyistsThe Philadelphia Host Committee chair, former Gov. Ed Rendell, headed for Wall Street as soon as he left office, and has since represented a number of controversial special interests. In 2011, as New York was debating regulations on fracking, Rendell wrote a pro-fracking opinion column in the New York Daily News, while failing to disclose that he was a paid consultant at a private equity firm that had investments in the industry.
That same year, Rendell started providing paid speeches on behalf of the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK), a fringe Iranian exile group that was considered a terrorist organization by the State Department at the time (it was delisted in 2012).
The former governor also joined the group Fix The Debt an organization backed by private equity billionaire Pete Peterson that advocates for cutting Social Security benefits co-chairing its activities alongside Judd Gregg.
Rendell is currently a special counsel at the law and lobbying firm Ballard Spahr; earlier this year, the firm launched a new election law group, advising clients on campaign finance and lobbying strategy.
The Democratic Party, especially the DNC, have never liked Obamas policies to disengage lobbyists from campaign fundraising, says Craig Holman, an expert on ethics and campaign finance with Public Citizen. The party only went along with the restrictions because Obama was the party leader. As soon as Obama could no longer be viewed as the leader of the party, the DNC quietly repealed the lobbyist restrictions. The public learned about it only weeks later.
CobaltBlue
(1,122 posts)silvershadow
(10,336 posts)of the absurdity we are in.
surrealAmerican
(11,370 posts)― George Orwell, Animal Farm
Stellar
(5,644 posts)CobaltBlue
(1,122 posts)That way
its a posting presented with respect to a source. No one can twist it. But, hey, that person trying to get it hidden says a lot (and it is not good).
I am glad people on that thread want to discuss the topic.
Stellar
(5,644 posts)ananda
(28,925 posts)Sad to say, I never in my life thought I'd ever be
voting for a Reep.
But now I'll probably have to hold my nose yet again
and vote for Clinton.
Such days...
erlewyne
(1,115 posts)I am a Democrat at heart and have always voted Democrat.
I now draw a line. Of course the GOP is out of the question.
A democrat since Eisenhower but
I am against the DNC. My position is called between a rock and
a hard place.
Does this disqualify me to be a member of DU?
diane in sf
(3,920 posts)erlewyne
(1,115 posts)Act Blue and a progressive will soon get a donation from me.
CobaltBlue
(1,122 posts)Stellar
(5,644 posts)thanks for sharing.
appalachiablue
(41,221 posts)hobbit709
(41,694 posts)One still talks a good show but usually fails to deliver, the other doesn't even try.
G_j
(40,372 posts)Comcast, which has been named Americas worst company, is an honored guest at this years Democratic National Convention.
Philadelphia, which is the home of the cable giants headquarters, is also hosting this years Democratic National Convention at the Comcast Spectators Wells Fargo Center. And as the New York Post recently reported, the Democratic Party is offering prime access to convention activities and leading elected officials to Comcast executives who donate $100,000 or more.
These so-called Empire Donors are given access to members of Congress for photo-ops at the convention podium, slots at VIP dinners, and even tickets to a New York Yankees game with a special guest. Progressive advocacy organization Public Citizen told the Post the arrangement reeks of a corrupt, pay-for-play system.
The company that chips in with $100,000 will have one-on-one access with the presidential candidate and congressional lawmakers as well, and they are buying influence in our government, Public Citizen spokesman Craig Holman told the Post. Its one of the most offensive elements of our campaign process, an embarrassment that doesnt pass the smell test and has never passed the smell test.
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