After reading the jaw-dropping report https://www.cfact.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Senate-report-chain-of-environmental-command.pdf reading this book, “The Blueprint:How the Democrats Won Colorado”, by Adam Schrager and Bob Witwer will give additional insight into the games played that often have a chilling effect on the will of the voting public. Available at Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/185-1716591-3475425?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Blueprint%3AHow+the+Democrats+Won+Colorado (don't forget to use Amazon Smile and help CAPR!) https://smile.amazon.com/ This small book (200 + pages) is an easy read. In an interesting way, it tells the story of how a relatively small group of very wealthy individuals in Colorado organized and ultimately flipped the politics of what was once viewed as a very “red, western state.” The Democracy Alliance, referenced in the Senate minority report, began as the “Colorado Democracy Alliance” and was one of the early lynchpin entities formed to coordinate the effort. The effort achieved such success that they began cloning the process in other states around the country. Not surprisingly, Washington State is among them. The good news is that many of the techniques and processes can, of course, be applied to fighting fire with fire. Last year the “Blueprinters” went after WA State Senator Jan Angel (26th LD), someone who will defend property rights, in an all-out failed effort to try and head her off from winning a special election. At a price-tag north of $4 million, Angel’s winning effort ended up being the most expensive Senate election in state history. "Most notably, California billionaire Tom Steyer pumped an estimated $455,000 of his own money into anti-Angel PACs, including the “She’s Changed” organization. He also funneled money into the Washington Conservation Voters PAC which, in turn, paid for negative ads directed at Angel." http://theolympiareport.com/total-price-tag-for-angel-schlicher-campaign-around-3-million/ "Thomas Steyer, a California environmentalist, has put $6.3 million into NextGen Climate Action Committee, a political action committee set up in Washington state. NextGen has given $250,000 to one political action committee that supports Schlicher, and has given another $150,000 to another committee, Washington Conservation Voters, that has donated to the committee that is attacking Angel." http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20131020/NEWS03/710209865 For a look at Mr. Steyer's involvement in Washington State politics this year, read this article: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/08/04/3316836/megadonor-tom-steyer-eyes-washington.html And for a look at the "divestment of coal interests" of Mr. Steyer, read here: http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/04/the-epic-hypocrisy-of-tom-steyer.php http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/07/the-epic-hypocrisy-of-tom-steyer-ny-times-edition.php CAPR has been pushing back, along with a growing network of allies with common interests in preserving our property rights. The difficult task of keeping the focus of politics on constitutionally protected property rights and off the deep pockets of disreputable PACs is an ongoing but worthwhile struggle. If you would like to help CAPR, you can donate here: http://www.capr.us/capr_pp_donate.php
August 12, 2014