Open Thread: Billionaire-funded Leftists Protest Conference Held by Billionaires
By NB Staff | January 31, 2011 | 10:18
Over the weekend, libertarian billionaires Charles and David Koch convened a conference of like-minded businessmen and policymakers at the Rancho Las Palmas resort to discuss election strategy and the future of classical liberalism. Outside, a hodgepodge of lefty protest groups gathered to whine about the influence of money in politics. In a completely unsurprising show of hypocrisy, Soros-funded groups such as Common Cause and the Center for American Progress joined the ruckus.
The irony was not lost on conference participant Tim Carney, who wrote in Monday's Washington Examiner:
In other words, money from billionaire George Soros and anonymous, well-heeled liberals was funding a protest against rich people's influence on politics.
When Politico reporter Ken Vogel pointed out that Soros hosts similar "secret" confabs, CAP's Fang responded on Twitter: "don't you think there's a very serious difference between donors who help the poor vs. donors who fund people to kill government, taxes on rich?"
In less than 140 characters, Fang had epitomized the myopic liberal view of money in politics: Conservative money is bad, and linked to greed, while liberal money is self-evidently philanthropic.
Jane Mayer wrote in the New Yorker magazine, for instance, that the Kochs' anti-regulation, anti-bailout, low-tax agenda "dovetail[s] with the brothers' corporate interest." Of Soros, Mayer asserted flatly "none of his contributions are in the service of his own economic interests."
This is the Obama campaign's tune, too. While decrying Republican campaign contributions in an Obama fundraising e-mail, someone at Organizing for America apparently got self-conscious about the irony and tagged the e-mail with a subject line saying: "Our Donations Are Different."
Carney goes on to thoroughly debunk that tired sophism. "The moral difference is this," he concludes: "Only one side is trying to compel others to conform to its preferences."
How do you generally respond when ineviably confronted with the "Our Donations Are Different" line? It's virtually ubiquitous when debating liberals. What's your retort, or is it similar to Carney's?
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Comments
Conservative Giving
Submitted by Gothampc on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 10:25am.
Poll after poll has demonstrated that Conservatives give more money than liberals do. Many Evangelical Christians believe in giving 10% of their income to their churches. Even Bono had to admit that George W. Bush gave more to Africa than any other POTUS. But we all know liberals lie. And they continue to tell a lie until people can't discern the truth from the lie.
Bono's charity is having some
Submitted by johnsonl on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 10:31am.
Bono's charity is having some issues of it's own. It seems that thieves have no political affiliation.
Giving
Submitted by Gothampc on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 11:00am.
But the media will have you believe that it's only churches that steal from people and fleece little old ladies out of their pensions.
My retort is this: liberals
Submitted by johnsonl on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 10:29am.
My retort is this: liberals want to be baby sat by their government with money earned by those who work, "redistributed" to those who don't. Conservatives require their government to serve and protect them with as little interference as possible, with money paid by everyone.
Biting the hand that feeds them
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 11:29am.
They don't care. Loyalty is not a word in the liberal dictionary, after all.
They are owed.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 138 (and Counting)
Well, if georgie hates
Submitted by Willis_Leon_Johnson on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 10:31am.
Well, if georgie hates America so much, why not renounce his 'naturalized citizenship' and return the largess that OUR WAY OF LIFE has rewarded him with?
"The problem with Americas education system. http://gjresult.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1375
Get OUR representatives out of the sewer! http://gjresult.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1379
The implosion continues.
Submitted by Ashrak on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 10:32am.
The progressives' attempts at projection are showing more and more as each day passes.
Deeeeeeeeeeelicious.
Another Koch vs Soros Perspective
Submitted by Boil It Down on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 11:08am.
Another way to look at the Koch vs Soros comparisons is, forthright and honest opposing cloaked and covert. If it is necessary for you to confuse and manipulate the population by hidden means, it is tantamount to admitting your guilt. Sleight of hand is never open and honest.
Another shameful thing that Soros has done never seems to be addressed. He has duped some very good hearted and well meaning people through the funding his many organizations like Common Cause and Center for American Progress. I think many among them might well have come to reason had it not been for his deceitful efforts. I believe he's taken those potentially good folks and thwarted their sight beyond the limited liberal vision.
Simple
Submitted by jpk3 on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 11:12am.
I would answer “Well young pup thru extensive progressive taxes and the fact that we donate more to charities of all kinds for the poor and those in need we all ready have given more, plus we don’t believe in killing minorities babies in order to control their populations”
Soros DOESN'T profit? ROTFLMAO
Submitted by TexasMom0517 on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 11:21am.
I know the Left Wing media and their dupes are LAZY, but apparently, they're stupid too! Who knew?
Let's see, first hedge fund created by Soros.....huge investment in Petrobras......just to name two.
Feel free to add to the list..........
they are different allright
Submitted by Hoosier Conservative on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 12:04pm.
Our donors are investigated, publicly harassed, and forced to quit their jobs (see: Prop 8 in California)
Their donors are kept anonymous and protected by a shell game of money laundering through different groups.
It's funny how liberals are
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 12:18pm.
It's funny how liberals are always obsessed by Koch.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
Back in the day of HILLARY'S VAST RIGHT-WING CONSPIRACY
Submitted by TexasMom0517 on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 4:39pm.
Back in those days, it was Richard Mellon Schaife who was TARGETED by the Left and their fellow travelers in the media. They've changed the target and altered the lingo just a little (Newspeak), but it's the same old story.
Like the tale of the Scorpion and the Fox, "Because it is their nature."
Quote from a foreign newspaper today.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 3:04pm.
"Barack Obama will be remembered as the president who "lost" Turkey, Lebanon and Egypt, and during whose tenure America's alliances in the Middle East crumbled."
How's that hopey changey thing working out for us AND the Middle East, America?
Of course, we do have to give him credit for increasing the size of the USA from 50 states to 57. I guess he nets out ahead.
Nb,
Submitted by Dave. on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 5:05pm.
I caught that on Drudge yesterday, and the first thought I had was he may also go down in history as the president who lost America.
Funny how things like that just pop up out of nowhere.
-Dave
→ Unconstitutional!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 3:59pm.
Individual mandate ruled Unconstitutional.
Sweeeet!
Submitted by ckc1227 on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 4:07pm.
It's another step towards ending this montrosity. Ultimately though, the Supreme Court is going to decide this. Let's hope we don't lose anyone from the court before that happens. Can't believe he didn't order an injunction though. That's a bit of a contradiction.
Booyah to the socialists!
Submitted by jon_torlin on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 4:05pm.
I thought that if this judge was going to declare it unconstitutional, it'll make it real easy for the SCOTUS to do the same or something along those lines?
Either way, in your face, RINOs and Dems and Sebelius(who would have gotten unprecedented power from this) and the Chairman!
Booyah!
-Jon
Not just the mandate, Judge
Submitted by bassndude on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 4:44pm.
Not just the mandate, Judge said the whole thing is void because of the mandate. Great news, waiting for the full text of the decision...
Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
This one was the big one
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 5:09pm.
This one was the big one wasn't it? I had the 26 states AGs in it. The one in Virginia only was by the AG in Virginia. This may be the one that makes it to SCOTUS. I really hope he hits the misuse of the Commerce Clause in his decsion.
But... 26 States is no longer
Submitted by Willis_Leon_Johnson on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 9:26am.
But... 26 States is no longer a majority.
Has anybody visited the Natural Wonders of the newest 7 States yet?
The rest of us are waiting for the reviews to come in before we make our travel plans.
"The problem with Americas education system. http://gjresult.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1375
Get OUR representatives out of the sewer! http://gjresult.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1379
Let's hope a very quick death for CommieCare is nigh...
Submitted by Dave. on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 5:18pm.
...before it has a chance to do even further damage to this country than it already has.
And it has done a lot already.
-Dave
and how would we know that
Submitted by buddyc on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 4:04pm.
and how would we know that Soros' contributions have nothing to do with his financial interests. He operates off shore, beyond SEC regulation and disclosure. We don't know who invests with him. Rumor has it that it includes the UK royal family and the Mexican drug cartels but that is just rumor.
We know that he has investment in Bolivia's oil company and Obama approved and supported a World Bank Loan to that oil compnay for deep water drilling while Obama was terminating deep water drilling in US waters.
We know that Soros funds legislation to legalize illegal drugs.
We know that Soros has bet heavily that the dollar falls.
Obama care UnConstitutional!!
Submitted by bassndude on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 4:42pm.
Obama care UnConstitutional!!
Save a SeAL, club a liberal/troll!!
The Big International Airport in Egypt is sure working great.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 5:09pm.
I'm sure aircraft must land with a 50% fuel load.
The airport is evacuating folks at about 50 people per hour.
Who is installing and removing Aircraft Wheel Chocks?
NYT
The first American government flight departed Cairo for Cyprus in the early afternoon with 42 passengers, followed by three larger flights to Athens and another to Cyprus, according to Elizabeth O. Colton, a spokeswoman for the American Embassy in Cairo. Towards the end of the day, eight flights had departed carrying around 940 passengers with one last departure scheduled for Monday night. At least six more flights were planned for Tuesday.
Tempers boiled over at times as travelers struggled to get seats on the limited number of commercial flights still operating.
O'bama 0% capital gains @4:58 and so much more.
Now, This is seriously funny!
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 8:23pm.
The judge who ruled Obama's Health Care plan unconstitutional quoted Obama himself in his decision.
"If a mandate was the solution, we can try that to solve homelessness by mandating everybody to buy a house" -- Barack Hussein Obama mmmm mmmmm mmmm
Oh boy.
Submitted by jon_torlin on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 8:35pm.
If he gets wind of that, I bet that's gonna seriously piss him and the National Socialists off.
I hope so.
-Jon
Saw that Cool
Submitted by Boudin on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 8:42pm.
Kinda like that dept ceiling, isnt it?
Hard turn right worries GOP moderates in N.H.
Submitted by ThisnThat on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 8:09am.
This is from the Boston Globe, and it really, really shows the demented thinking of liberals, as they continue to try to demonize conservatives everywhere. Get a load of these two comments:
First, the definition of a Moderate Republican vs. a conservative: Moderate Republicans, the practical-minded mainstay of the state’s venerable GOP, have watched in dismay as conservative legislators have proposed restricting state education funding to English, math, science, social studies, and physical education
and,
Second, what Moderate Republicans actually stand for: “We know we don’t have much of a chance of convincing anybody of anything,’’ said Representative Priscilla Lockwood, a moderate Republican, who said she fears that abortion will be restricted and gay marriage banned.
Sounds more like left-wing liberal positions to me. And folks, this is exactly why "Moderate Republicans" need to go -- and quickly.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
The Dems pick Charlotte, NC for their convention...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 2:21pm.
I had a sneaking feeling that they would go with Charlotte...I think this ties in with their ongoing attempts to try to reingratiate themselves back into the South (good luck with that) and in North Carolina in particular...Interesting.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/01/democrats-choose-charlotte-nc-convention-site-source-says/
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan