FreedomWorks was created in July 2004 from the merger of Koch Brother founded Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) and Empower America. CSE was a Koch funded pro market, anti regulation “think tank”, and Empower America was a Koch funded “grassroots” voice of the Koch agenda. Americans For Prosperity was also formed from this merger. FreedomWorks was headed by former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dick Armey until 2012.
FreedomWorks was created in July 2004 from the merger of Koch Brother founded Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) and Empower America. CSE was a Koch funded pro market, anti regulation “think tank”, and Empower America was a Koch funded “grassroots” voice of the Koch agenda. Americans For Prosperity was also formed from this merger. FreedomWorks was headed by former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dick Armey until 2012.
In its initial statement, FreedomWorks plan was to "run major voter education campaigns and Get-Out-the-Votes". Its agenda is privatizing Social Security, implementing a flat tax , abolishing the estate tax, expanding school vouchers, eliminating environmental regulations, and supporting politicians and judges who support those goals.
FreedomWorks funding is a closely guarded secret. FreedomWorks is listed as a non profit organization, therefore it does not have to report who it’s “donors” are. While the Koch Brothers publically acknowledge their support of AFP, FreedomWorks sister organization, they deny funding FreedomWorks. But remember, the Koch Brothers founded FreedomWorks, and it was never sold. The IRS filings show that nearly 60 percent of the money FreedomWorks raised came from four publicly unnamed donors that each gave at least $1 million. The Koch Brothers have decades of experience creating phony front groups to hide their involvement in an organization. . Watchdog groups asked for investigations of the donations, alleging that the companies were created merely to hide the identity of contributors.
FreedomWorks also receives funding through the sale of insurance policies through which policyholders automatically become members of FreedomWorks. As Armey admitted to Media Matters, “FreedomWorks at this point essentially raises money for the sake of raising money. It exists to bilk activists.” Armey at least has the courtesy to be embarrassed by this: The conservative media movement exists primarily as a moneymaking venture. As Rick Perlstein explained in the Baffler, some of the largest conservative media organs are essentially massive email lists of suckers rented to snake oil salesmen. The con isn’t limited to a couple of newsletters and websites: The most prominent conservative organizations in the nation are primarily dedicated to separating conservatives from their money.
While it was behind the anti Union push in the 2012 elections, FreedomWorks in now recognized as being the main organizer and funder of Tea Party rally’s and events (along with Koch funded Americans For Prosperity).
Simply put the Koch Brothers fund both AFP and FreedomWorks, who in turn fund the Tea Party – so yes folks the Koch Brothers DO fund the Tea Party.
Marco Rubio is a Chameleon
Marco Rubio changes his policies (and religions) as fast and as often as a chameleon. He professes conservatism to conservatives, and professes moderation to moderates. When Rubio is speaking to a Latino audience he is for immigration reform, when speaking to conservatives he wants to deport illegal aliens. That’s a pretty shocking attitude for the son of an illegal alien. He will say anything to pander to the right, even if it contradicts what he's said before. Throughout his political career, Rubio's been called a corrupt wheeler-and-dealer by everyone from the Florida Democrats to Mitt Romney's press secretary.
What is wrong with San Bernardino County?
San Bernardino County (Ca.) is the largest county, area wise, in the country, with a population of over 2 million. So why is it one of the poorest counties in the country? One word – Politicians (mostly all were Republicans).
Climate Change and the Koch Brothers.
Virtually everyone agrees that the climate is changing, the controversy is whether or not it is being accelerated because of human activities. The Earth has a natural greenhouse effect, a layer of greenhouse gases, primarily water vapor, which acts as a thermal blanket for the Earth. Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal. And the Earth's climate has changed throughout history.
