Zing

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ An editor from the Baltimore Sun walks into a bar and was about to order a beer when he sees a guy at the far end of the bar wearing a TRUMP “Make America Great Again” cap with two beers sitting in front of him. He doesn’t need to be an Einstein to know that this guy is a Republican, so he shouts over to the bartender so loudly that everyone can hear:“Drinks for everyone in here, bartender…but not for the ‘Republican’!” Soon after the drinks have been passed out, the Republican gives him a big smile, waves at him then says, “Thank you!” in an equally loud voice. This infuriates the editor. After a few minutes, the editor once again loudly orders drinks for everyone except the Republican. As before, this doesn’t seem to bother the Republican. He nods and smiles, and again yells, “Thank you!” A few more minutes pass and the editor orders another round of drinks for everyone except the Republican. Just as before, this STILL doesn’t seem to faze the Republican who continues smiling and again yells out, “Thank you!!” Frustrated that he can’t seem to get the guy angered, the editor asks the bartender, “What is wrong with that Right Wing C'sucker? I’ve ordered three rounds of drinks for everyone in the bar but him, and all the dummy does is smile and thank me. Is he nuts?” “Nope,” replies the bartender. “He owns the place.” Bruce Elliott

There once was a a Congressman Weiner

There once was a Congressman Weiner Who had a very perverted demeanor He was forced from the Hill, For acting like Bill Now Congress is one Weiner Leaner Tom Tom Mann

Daughters Dating Democrats

Today's Best Ever

"Democracy Alliance" LOL

A list of new members of the Democracy Alliance offers a revealing look into the secret group of liberal billionaires

A list of new members of the Democracy Alliance offers a revealing look into the secret group of liberal billionaires

BY: Lachlan Markay
May 5, 2014 1:00 pm

The Democracy Alliance takes pains to ensure that its work disbursing millions of dollars to top left-wing organizations remains secretive and free from public scrutiny. But a document left on the floor of the group’s recent gathering reveals for the first time the names of a number of individuals involved in the effort.

It lists new Democracy Alliance “partners,” individuals who every year must pay $30,000 in dues and contribute at least $200,000 to the groups that DA supports. It also reveals names of DA “advisers,” foundation participants, and individuals getting a “sneak peek” at the group’s activities.

Among its new partners are top labor union bosses, financial and business leaders, and heirs to billion-dollar fortunes who have made names for themselves as high-dollar Democratic donors.

Security was tight at the Democracy Alliance conference last week at the chic Ritz Carlton in Chicago. Politico reporter Ken Vogel was manhandled by security when he tried to interview an attendee. Other conference-goers ripped off their nametags when a Washington Free Beacon reporter approached.

The Democracy Alliance does not actually accept donations. Instead, it solicits contributions from left-wing millionaires and billionaires, and serves as a “pass through” between those donors and top liberal advocacy groups, including the Center for American Progress, Media Matters for America, and Democratic Super PAC Priorities USA.

The group emphasizes secrecy in all of its operations, even as its members and the DA “favored organizations” to which they donate decry the role of “dark money” in American politics. DA does not disclose details of any of the transactions it facilitates, and its members and donation recipients are prohibited from speaking publicly about the organization and its operations.

While few conference attendees would speak with the Free Beacon last week, one mistakenly left a revealing document on the floor of a publicly accessible area of the conference. The list of new partners provides previously unreported details on one of the left’s most powerful dark money groups.

Labor unions have for decades served as financiers for some of the left’s most prominent think tanks and activist groups. The list of new DA partner reveals increasing involvement by top labor bosses in the group’s work financing those organizations.

New members in 2014 include Noel Beasley, president of Workers United, a textile union affiliated with the Service Employees International Union, and Keith Mestrich, president of the union-owned Amalgamated Bank, where Beasley, also a SEIU vice president, serves as chairman.

Amalgamated, which is majority-owned by the SEIU, is still owed $8.5 million by the Democratic National Committee for a pair of loans taken out in 2012 to support the DNC’s work to reelect President Barack Obama.

“We are a partisan bank that’s owned by a union,” Mestrich told the Washington Post last year. “There’s no question that unions are very tight with the Democratic Party, and we make no bones about that.” He would not answer questions about the bank’s involvement with the Democracy Alliance at last week’s conference.

The addition of top officials at Workers United and Amalgamated comes after DA added other top labor bosses in 2013, according to the list of new members.

Larry Cohen, president of the Communications Workers of America, and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, both signed on as partners last year. The document also lists CWA senior director George Kohl and Michelle Ringuette, Weingarten’s assistant, as new partners in 2013.

Wingarten and Cohen both sit on the board of the Economic Policies Institute, a labor-funded think tank. Richard Trumka, who attended last week’s conference, is also a board member, as are SEIU president and DA board member Mary Kay Henry, and one-time DA board member Robert Johnson.

While union higher ups are well compensated—Weingarten and Cohen made $550,000 and $200,000 in 2012, respectively, while Ringuette and Kohl each pulled down more than $150,000—the $100,000 minimum aggregate contribution requirement likely means that AFT and CWA, rather than the individuals listed, are the entities providing DA pass-through funds, with top union officials serving as liaisons.

Many of DA’s new partners, though, have the personal financial means to support its favored organizations, due either to their own successful business ventures or to large inheritances.

Amy Goldman is one of the country’s foremost horticulturalists, but her fortune comes from her status as heiress to one of the largest real estate fortunes ever amassed. Goldman’s father, Sol, owned nearly 600 New York commercial real estate properties when he died in 1987. At one point, he owned the famed Chrysler Building.

The ensuing legal battle over his $1 billion estate was at the time the largest ever to take place in New York’s Surrogate Court, more than doubling the previous record.

Amy Goldman has since become one of the Democratic Party’s largest individual campaign contributors. Goldman has donated more than $6 million to Democratic candidates, party organs, interest groups, and independent expenditure groups since 1990.

Those donations have included $1 million to Priorities USA in 2012, $500,000 to House Majority PAC the same year, $1.75 million to Planned Parenthood from 2011 to 2013, and $750,000 to Organizing for Action last year.

Goldman has donated nearly $9,000 to Obama, and more than $13,000 to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign and independent groups supporting that effort.

Another benefactor of a massive inheritance that appears on DA’s new partner list was donating tens of thousands of dollars to Democrats while he was still in school.

Philip Munger is the son of Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman and Warren Buffett lieutenant Charles Munger, whose estimated net worth is $1.2 billion, according to Forbes. Munger the younger is a professor at the New School in New York City. Despite living on an educator’s salary, he also manages to donate vast sums to Democratic politicians.

Munger has shelled out more than $700,000 in political contributions since 1990, all to Democrats or liberal interest groups. He donated $46,300 while he was still a student, according to FEC forms that require donors to disclose their profession.

Munger was among the first donors to OFA, topping the group’s list of “founding members” with a $250,000 contribution.

More inherited wealth will likely flow through DA from Henry van Ameringen, heir to the International Flavors and Fragrance fortune. Van Ameringen is another massive Democratic donor. He has donated more than $900,000 to Democrats since 1990.

Van Ameringen was the 21st largest individual contributor to 527 “political action committees” in 2012, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. He is the ninth largest donor to those groups in the current election cycle.

Much of van Ameringen’s political activity is aimed at promoting gay rights. He attended a $35,800 per-plate fundraiser for Obama in 2012 that solicited support from wealthy gay and lesbian individuals. The event raised an estimated $1.4 million for the president’s reelection.

His promotion of gay rights has occasionally expanded into condemnation of religious conservatism. In announcing a $100,000 donation from van Ameringen to the group Truth Wins Out, TWO’s executive director condemned “religious extremists” in the United States who are “literally getting away with murder from Uganda to Russia.”

Van Ameringen has also contributed $100,000 to an effort to legalize marijuana in Oregon. Democracy Alliance founder and automotive insurance kingpin Peter Lewis donated to the same effort.

Some new DA partners include individuals with their own successful business careers.

Adam Abram made his fortune in insurance and real estate. He sold his company, James River Group, to Bermuda-based Franklin Holdings in 2007. Abram is currently Franklin’s chairman. He also founded Adaron Group, a commercial real estate developer in North Carolina.

Some of Abram’s recent ventures have come under scrutiny for alleged cronyism. James River Group provided $15,000 in financing for an economic impact study that recommended construction of an airport in the research triangle region of North Carolina. The company indicated that the airport was “’very important’ or ‘essential’ to [its] business,” according to the study.

Some residents saw that as a financial conflict. “As a resident of rural Orange County … I find it deeply disturbing that companies like the James River Group fund an economic study and they themselves want the airport because the airport will benefit their businesses,” one resident wrote.

Abram has donated more than $110,000 to Democrats since 1990. He cohosted Michelle Obama at a 2008 fundraiser in Durham, N.C.

Many of Abram’s political contributions have focused on specific policy issues. In 2009, he offered to match all contributions up to $5,000 to the North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Abrams has been critical of the Obama administration’s civil liberties record and tactics in the war on terror. He wrote a 2011 column for the Raleigh News-Observer criticizing legislation eventually signed by Obama that granted the executive wide latitude in detaining and trying suspected terrorists.

Despite those misgivings, Abram has donated $4,600 to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Other individuals on DA’s list of new partners have been far friendlier to Obama. Rick Segal, CEO of financial services firm Seavest, bundled between $250,000 and $500,000 for the president’s reelection campaign, in addition to his $165,000 in political contributions since 1990.

Paul Boskind has contributed nearly $200,000 to Democrats since 1990, and bundled between $100,000 and $200,000 for Obama’s reelection. He also served on the DNC’s national finance committee.

Boskind is the CEO of Deer Oaks Mental Health Associates, a Texas based mental health organization. He is also involved in theater, producing a number of plays designed to promote liberal political sensibilities, including Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man.”

These and other individuals (full list below) are some of DA’s newest partners, but the list also includes a host of individuals with other statuses at the organization.

The Nation editor Katrina vanden Heuvel was given a “sneak peak,” according to the list. Lee Wasserman and Lisa Guide of the Rockefeller Family Fund are listed as “committed.” Joan Davidson, heir to the Welch juice fortune and president emeritus of the J.M. Kaplan Fund, is listed under the status “convening.”

The Democracy Alliance did not respond to requests for comment or additional information about the roles that DA partners and other individuals listed on the document play.

On the back of the document, someone took notes that appeared to refer to potential or actual donations by individuals and groups affiliated with the DA.

“McKay 25k AV” likely refers to Rob McKay, and a $25,000 contribution to America Votes, a group that DA has supported. “Nathan Cummings 500k CCC” is likely a reference to a $500,000 contribution from the Nathan Cummings Foundation to the Center for Community Change, which has previously received Nathan Cummings grant funds.

Democracy Alliance new members list by Washington Free Beacon

NEW PARTNERS, 2013

Paul Boskind: CEO of Deer Oaks Mental Health Associates and theater producer.

Larry Cohen: President of the Communications Workers of America.

Randi Weingarten: President of the American Federation of Teachers.

George Kohl: Senior director of the Communications Workers of America.

Michelle Ringuette: Assistant to the president of the American Federation of Teachers.

Amy Goldman: Author, horticulturalist, and daughter of the late New York City real estate magnate Sol Goldman.

NEW PARTNERS, 2014

Adam Abram: Founder of James River Group, chairman of Franklin Holdings, chairman of Piedmont Community Bank Holdings, former president of Adaron Group.

Noel Beasley: President of Workers United, vice president of the Service Employees International Union, chairman of Amalgamated Bank.

Keith Mestrich: President of Amalgamated Bank

Philip Munger: New School professor, son of Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman Charles Munger.

Colin Greer: President of the New World Foundation.

Heeten Kalan: Senior program officer at the New World Foundation.

Rick Segal: CEO of Seavest, Inc.

Ryan Smith: Unknown. It was originally reported that Smith was the CEO of Qualtrics, but that was not the case.

Henry van Ameringen: President of the Van Ameringen Foundation, son of Arnold Louis van Ameringen, founder of International Flavors and Fragrances.

Dirk Wiggins: Founder of Code for Progress, former director of targeting for Field Strategies, former outreach director for the Florida Democratic Party.

This entry was posted in Politics and tagged Democracy Alliance, Democratic Donors. Bookmark the permalink.

skoonj

Koch-backed political coalition, designed to shield GOP donors, raised $400 million in 2012! (WaPost)

Those evil Koch Brothers

Do these asses ...

Today's Winner

cuz ricky

Campaign Shenanigans

Campaign Shenanigans “ Click for Unspeakable Smut Rollover for - you know. Amy Biviano for House;  a devoted wife and mother of two sons. When it comes to vitiating the election process,  releasing Early Voting numbers (Early voting- 3 weeks before election day?!?) is almost as bad as the Democrat candidate who displays her lovely, bare nippled ta-tas. Way unfair.  ”

Carville Quote

Jame's Carville— “ Democratic fundraisers, activists, supporters, and even politicians alike have somehow collectively lapsed into the sentiment that the president is going to be reelected and that we have a good shot to take the House back while holding the Senate. I ask: What are you smoking? What are you drinking? What are you snorting or just what in the hell are you thinking? ”

Very Progressive

Bay Area Vajayjay Culture  Necessity is the Mother of Invention “ Young women in four Bay Area counties can now test themselves at home for sexually transmitted infections, and then get the results and any needed prescriptions without ever visiting a doctor's office or clinic. The home tests are part of a pilot project designed to let young women in four Bay Area counties to test themselves for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis, which are among the most common STDs. [STDetails] Barbara Boxer/Nancy Pelosi STD Fund-ation

Thriller

Free Stuff

“ I have four extra tickets for the Robbie Knievel (son of Evel Knievel) event at the Ford Center next weekend  in Texas; if anybody wants them. Robbie is going to attempt to jump over 10,000 Obama supporters with a Caterpillar D-9N  bulldozer. Should be a good time.  Contact Frank&Evvy. ”

Obama Flied Chicken ... .

Two Stereotypes in One Fun

“ ”

Evacuating DC

Evacuating Washington D.C. (No, Not In The Good Way)

“ ” Not that anyone needs reminding about how incompetentl and corrupt  DC's government has been since 1973, but what the hell.

Spreading the Turds in Minnesota ....

Obamas campaign in Minnesota "Spreading the Turds"

“ These photo’s were taken at Scandia’s  annual Parade.  Scandia is a small town in Minnesota, north of the Twin Cities. For those who don’t recognize it, the trailer behind the tractor.  It is a manure-spreader… Ya gotta love them Scandinavians from Minnesota !!    Spreading the turd ” Oh, right.   Like the Secret Service is going to let an animal drive the presidential limo.   Jefe

Gabrielle Giffords released into the wild

Today's Hateful and Tasteless Observation Gabrielle Giffords appears on House floor for first time since her shooting Members stunned as Eagle snatches her away Never to Be Seen again?

I'm sorry about that, but I just couldn't help being reminded of  the school children who nursed a wounded bird back to health,  only to see a hawk swoop down and grab it when they ceremoniously released it.

She'll have to be put down Timmy.

Rabid Dog Watch Democratic Rep: Debt Crisis Has Been ‘Manufactured by House Republicans’

“ (CNSNews.com) – Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) released a statement Monday saying the “debt crisis” has been “manufactured by House Republicans” who are “attempting to advance an extremist agenda.” ”

Local Resistance Movement via TUA

turdkennedy's successor (rollover)

CLICK for usage

Stop That Weiner!

His ego has no bounds

“” Weiner- a national joke In a dazzling display of arrogance, disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner is trying to insert himself back into politics -- calling power brokers and would-be candidates for his old seat, hoping they'll let him play a role in choosing his own successor, The Post has learned. Weiner, who became a national dirty joke after he was caught sexting young women, now wants to be a kingmaker. There once was a pervert named Weiner Who had a perverted demeanor Forced from the Hill For acting like Bill Now Congress is one weiner leaner. One Democratic insider confirmed that Weiner has spoken to the Queens party chairman, Rep. Joe Crowley, about whom the Dems should pick. Read more: story- cuzzin ricky limerick- tom mann

Bill Maher: The Weinerlogues

Bill Maher: The Weinerlogues with Jane Lynch

casca

Body Guard Auditions for Michael Moore

cuzzin ricky

Flee Party Fun

Add paint ball guns and you got yerself some  serious fun. 14 Wisconsin Democrats relentlessly hounded by Illinois Tea Party members

“   Probably aware that a posse of 14 pasty bureaucrats will stick out in a crowd, the senators did what any fugitive chain gang would do: They cut the links and went in separate directions. One did the smart thing and disappeared into the polished back alleys of the Windy City, where only the New York Times could find him. By the following Monday, eight of the 14 had gone 30 miles northeast to the two-hotel town of Harvard (pop. 9,000ish) thinking it might be a good place to “hide.” It took just one tip from a “concerned citizen,” however, before a few amateur Illinois activists descended upon the hotel, causing enough commotion for the senators to quickly pack it up. Flee Party Videos

Pick One

Pick One, or both is okay.

Click for this one Who else brings you so much happiness and information simultaneously?  Hmmmm?  You're welcome.