REPORT: Conservative Groups Gearing Up To Spend $400 Million On Midterm Election
source: http://thinkprogress.org/2010/08/27/conservative-groups-400-millio/
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- toyotabedzrock
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In the wake of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling earlier this year,
corporations and special interest groups now enjoy the ability to spend unlimited
amounts of money on elections. Now, with less than 10 weeks until November,
it’s clear just how far conservative groups are willing to go to try to influence
the midterm elections.
According to a new report from ThinkProgress, conservative organizations have
committed (or already spent) $400 MILLION to advance their conservative agenda
at the ballot box this year. For comparison’s sake, this outside money alone
is more than the Democratic campaign committees http://bit.ly/ahWQxY spent
combined when they took back both houses of Congress in the last midterm
election. Indeed, the Wall Street Journal notes that special interest groups have
already spent three times as much in 2010 than they had in 2006 http://bit.ly/aKSlIP.
Among the outside groups that plan to spend hundreds of MILLIONs of dollars
electing conservatives are some familiar faces and some new ones as well.
While the NRA and the Chamber of Commerce have long supported conservative
causes, the former plans to double its spending from $10 MILLION in 2006
http://bit.ly/dmz7Gt to $20 MILLION http://bit.ly/bZHEsw now and the latter
will triple its commitment http://http://bit.ly/aKSlIP to $75 MILLION this year
http://bit.ly/9v6ClV .
Many new groups are also entering the scene in a big way, including
Karl Rove’s American Crossroads group with $52 MILLION http://politi.co/awScg7 and
Norm Coleman’s American Action Network with $25 MILLION http://bit.ly/aslsCg .
Those conservative groups trying to use $400 MILLION in outside spending
to tip the midterm election include:
> - *Chamber of Commerce* has pledged to spend
> - $75 MILLION http://http://bit.ly/9v6ClV
> - *American Crossroads* has pledged to spend
> - $52 MILLION http://http://politi.co/awScg7
> - *Americans for Prosperity* has pledged to spend
> - $45 MILLION http://nyti.ms/a8gWtX
> - *Republican State Leadership Committee* has pledged to spend
> - $40 MILLION http://http://bit.ly/aslsCg
> - *American Action Network* has pledged to spend
> - $25 MILLION http://bit.ly/aslsCg
> - *American Future Fund* has pledged to spend up to
> - $25 MILLION http://bit.ly/dywWzx
> - *Club for Growth* has pledged to spend AT LEAST
> - $24 MILLION http://bit.ly/cCKOS5
> - *National Republican Trust PAC* has pledged to spend AT LEAST
> - $20 MILLION http://bit.ly/aKSlIP
> – **An unnamed** *Health Insurance Industry Coalition* has pledged to spend
> - $20 MILLION http://bit.ly/bST4bX
> - *National Rifle Association* has pledged to spend
> - $20 MILLION http://http://bit.ly/bZHEsw
> - *Faith and Freedom Coalition* has pledged to spend
> - $11 MILLION http://bit.ly/ddcqhn
> - *FreedomWorks* has pledged to spend
> - $10 MILLION http://http://nyti.ms/a8gWtX
> - *Americans for Job Security* has pledged to spend
> - $10 MILLION http://politi.co/cSUiQa
> - *Susan B. Anthony List* has pledged to spend
> - $6 MILLION http://bit.ly/9T5PLf
> - *Our Country Deserves Better (Tea Party Express)* has ALREADY SPENT
> - $5 MILLION http://bit.ly/ajFcGU
> - *Tax Relief Coalition* has already spent
> - $4 MILLION http://bit.ly/a0V4p2
> - *Republican Majority Campaign* has pledged to spend
> - $3 MILLION http://bit.ly/avk0QQ
> - *Campaign for Working Families* has pledged to spend
> - $2 MILLION http://bit.ly/cpP6Bv
> - *Heritage Action for America* has pledged to spend
> - $1 MILLION http://bit.ly/9Wb55b
> - *Financial Services Roundtable* has already spent
> - $0.5 MILLION http://bit.ly/aQ4pNR
> - *Family Research Council* FRC has raised
> - $0.5 MILLION http://bit.ly/dx5RWf
> - *Citizens United Political Victory Fund* has pledged to spend
> - $0.2 MILLION http://bit.ly/caDIWO
- ** TOTAL: $399.2 MILLION or $399,200,000 ** -
Given the number of progressive accomplishments in the 111th Congress,
including health care reform, the economic stimulus bill, and Wall Street reform,
it’s no wonder that conservative groups are fighting tooth-and-nail to prevent a
repeat next term. Chris LaCivita, a Republican strategist who has also been
involved in many independent-expenditure campaigns, told Politico,
“If there is a time for independent groups to step up, this is it. This is the year for independent groups to put up or shut up.” http://politi.co/cSUiQa
Indeed, with conservative special interest groups putting it all on the line this November, their $400 MILLION pledge may even increase before long.
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cztheday
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The success of the Republican Party is, to my mind anyway, built on exactly two pillars. The first is that they are willing to go to ANY length, no matter how morally or ethically repugnant, to further enrich the wealthy.
The second is that they are somehow able to maintain the contradictory facade that they are the party of "family values" by including in their platform all of the most extreme elements of biblical interpretation involving intolerance. They feed the fears of the ignorant (we have many examples right here on Current) who actually believe that they are somehow being "held down," "held back" or otherwise harmed by those who are different from themselves (religiously, ethnically, racially, sexually, etc.).
The first of those two pillars will ALWAYS guarantee that large sums of money flow into the Republicans' coffers. This is because there will ALWAYS be people who have no compunction about harming others to enrich themselves. The second pillar ensures them of a large voting base because religious extremism is just as alive and well in the U.S. as it is in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world.
That is why ignorance and complacency are consistently the biggest enemies of people with intelligence and compassion in this country. As long as Republicans can keep people ignorant and hungry for more "stuff," they will succeed unless their opponents stay informed and motivated.
It is easy to blame ignorant voters for Republican success at the polls. But we have to stay active and realistic. Supporting people like Ralph Nader in his day-to-day endeavors is admirable and right. Supporting him as a third party candidate in a presidential election, however, may be momentarily satisfying, but as a strategy for curing society's ills, it is a strategy that borders on the delusional.
- 1 year ago
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cztheday
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Radical_Centrist
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I will assume liberal groups intend to be niggardly in their spending this election season.
- 1 year ago
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Radical_Centrist
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H2O_4U
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how long will it take for us to realize that if we don't take them out they will take us out and they will create a capitalist dictatorship lead by billionaires and NWO
- 1 year ago
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H2O_4U
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haydemon
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H2O_4U:
Then get out and vote! And bring your friends.
- 1 year ago
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haydemon
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masterzip
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spending money stimulates the economy,..so maybe we should just take the money and pay for our family living
- 1 year ago
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masterzip
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fun_size
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I love that picture by the way. The only 4 justices to stand against giving Corporations the rights of people were liberal justices. Go figure.
- 1 year ago
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fun_size
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macfan
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fun_size:
You don't get it Conservatives care more about Corporations then People
and Soto Mayor is not a liberal - 1 year ago
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macfan
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Blkwdw
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I hope the Republicans take over Senate, Congress House of representatives and the next presidency, lets just see how great the country will be then.
- 1 year ago
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Blkwdw
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Stoneyroad
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Blkwdw:
ooohhh the thought...
all the people saying the sky is falling now , will be telling us there is nothing to see here under republican rule, move along. - 1 year ago
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Stoneyroad
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captainplanet71
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$400 million is not chump change. It does show the anxiety they feel of their grip on our country being loosened...while simultaneously showing how tight they hold us within their grasp at the moment.
- 1 year ago
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captainplanet71
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Mark701
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I came to the conclusion a long time ago that conservatives with do anything to maintain their self appointed right to govern. My concern here for the money these corporations are spending is second only to my concern that they will rig elections like they did Ohio in 2004.
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4071
http://harpers.org/archive/2005/08/0080696I also can't help but wonder how much money these conservative justices were able to squirrel away in Swiss accounts as a reward for their cooperation with corporate fascists.
- 1 year ago
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Mark701
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Sparky2U
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Mark701:
Not to worry, BP Owes Obummer big time now!~ They will let him use some of that 20 Billion bribe for the campaign to be sure.
- 1 year ago
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Sparky2U
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ampersand
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Mark701:
You're right about Ohio. I was there in 2004. I saw them close the courthouse in Cincinnati and keep out observers when the ballots were counted. The Republican in charge claimed a fake bomb scare. The FBI said the next day there was no evidence the threat had even occurred. I saw the ballot count turn that night on a dime from a Kerry lead into 100% returns in favor of Bush. Professional statisticians analyzing the results said the those effects were not just an anomaly, they were functionally impossible.
What amazes me to this day is the strategic decision (at least I assume it's a strategic decision), for the Democratic Party to avoid any effort to fully investigate this blatant fraud and prosecute the people responsible for it. - 1 year ago
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ampersand
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cztheday
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ampersand:
Amp, while I consider myself an independent, more than 90% of my votes go to Democrats simply because there are so few Republicans who are qualified (or literate, for that matter). But I have been involved in politics for more than 20 years now and am not so naive as to think that the Dems don't have their own dirty laundry even if theirs can be confined to a single washing machine, while the Repubs need a 10-story laundromat.
In other words, one has to be very careful to ensure that one's own house is not made of glass before throwing stones at the neighbor.
- 1 year ago
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cztheday
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ampersand
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cztheday:
Actually, I don't actually consider myself a member or supporter of the Democratic Party. But as you noted, of the only two major parties we have, the Democrats, unlike the Rethuglicans, haven't explicitly written massive thievery, bogus nationalism, and pride of ignorance into their political platform.
My work in Ohio was done on my own dime, because I knew I couldn't live with myself if I let any opportunity to oppose the re-election of George Bush and let his war crimes agenda stand.
After checking out the Democratic party there (it was a totally inept and laughable shambles) I worked with activist voter groups supporting Kerry's election.
I have a strong distaste for the several of the gutless professional politicians on the Democratic side of the aisle. I don't support my local Democratic Congressman for that same reason.
I don't really look to politics to solve problems but my conscience does occasionally propel me to take some action.
Mostly I enjoy working in my own garden and on plans for another sustainable enclave out of the country. - 1 year ago
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ampersand
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Mark701
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Yep, we'll end up with the very best government corporations can buy.
- 1 year ago
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Mark701
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bike10
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This just how I pictured the far right court and also same for members of congress.
- 1 year ago
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bike10
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nanac
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The Conservative Supreme Court is occupied by a group of spineless, soulless, egotistical, Conservative Judges..It is extremely obvious that the Conservatives Judges only represent Big Business and Conservatives Americans..Progressive Americans find it very challenging, to win any case that they bring before the Court..Liberals are out numbered on the Court, therefore the Liberal voice has been muffled..Conservative Judges are just a bunch of snake-oil salesmen, who sold out to the highest bidder..Most Americans vote Democratic, so in order to win elections the Republicans must buy votes!
- 1 year ago
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nanac
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jubal
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Where does it say I am a democrat?
- 1 year ago
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jubal
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Varex_Sythe
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jubal:
Basic "my team vs your team" logic. Your perspective is different from those who label you a democrat, and since they view those who disagree with them as democrats, that is what you are labeled. At least, that's how I think it works...
- 1 year ago
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Varex_Sythe
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JohnA
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jubal:
Knee jerk reaction. People call me a Republican on current all the time.
- 1 year ago
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JohnA
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toyotabedzrock
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No the VAST MAJORITY decided to take OUR COUNTRY BACK IN 2008!
- 1 year ago
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toyotabedzrock
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ReverandG
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I am glad the money is being spent as is the Vast Majority of this country.
In less than 2 years Omama has attempted to destroy our country, but we will stop his agenda cold. Thank God ! - 1 year ago
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ReverandG
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Mark701
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ReverandG:
Right, Obama attempted to destroyed the country. Really? Tell me exactly how he did that and how it directly affected you. Details my friend, details, not idiotic talking points put into your head by FOX "News" et al.
- 1 year ago
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Mark701
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ReverandG
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Mark701:
Just a reminder
- 1 year ago
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ReverandG
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fun_size
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ReverandG:
Wow... way to prove Mark701's point. You dont even know what an original thought is do you?
- 1 year ago
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fun_size
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riverratt50
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Mark701:
How about increasing the national debt with his stimulus package and health care reform which might I add they forced down the neck of the American people given the fact that only 41% of the American people wanted it at the time of vote. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcar....
But then who cares about a little thing like that,,, what the people want. Your hero Nancy said it best, “…We will go through the gate. If the gate is closed, we will go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we will pole vault in. If that doesn’t work, we will parachute in.”. And by the way Einstein, that little through the gate pole vault trick is going to cost America WAY over a trillion dollars.. I know, I know they only said it's gonna cost 900 billion. But then when your from the credit based economic era it's OK to spend that kind of money when your broke.. *they whisper* "We'll just put it on a card and figure out how to pay for it later."
How about going against his campaign promise to stop the spying on the American people? He didn't not only NOT stop the practice he signed it into law. And he also promised, "I will not have my DEA out there busting little granny's for smoking pot if its medical" They are hard at it. But then I can see you saying they don't have the right to use it even if the State in which they live say's it's legal.
How about his bank / wall street bail out that has cost, " According to a team at Bloomberg News, at one point last year the U.S. had lent, spent or guaranteed as much as $12.8 trillion to rescue the economy. The Bloomberg reporters have been following that money. Alison Stewart spoke with one, Bob Ivry, to talk about the true cost to the taxpayer of the Wall Street bailout."
How about when they decided to extend the unemployment benefits to people that their eligibility to collect unemployment had ran out under the laws in which they are payed out. They said, pass it now and figure out how to pay for it later. That's the mentality of the credit era. Now to take it one step further, by passing extensions of benefits that you are not eligible for is essentially creating a new welfare program that is easier to get then the old one. Heck you don't have to be pregnant or have children or even be a certain sex or age, just laid off after working for 3 months.
How about him saying that he will and did stop "enhanced interrogation techniques" (torture). Well, I guess the way you would look at it he has. They supposedly don't practice it in the US anymore, now they do it in foreign countries. (Read on) " The prospect of any legal accountability for the government's rendition, detention, and interrogation program dimmed dramatically this week. On Wednesday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the so-called "state secrets" privilege protects the government and its contractors from a lawsuit brought by five men who say they were kidnapped, flown to foreign countries, and tortured on the behalf of the American government." http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/09/jeppesen-dataplan-binyam-mohamed-case-dismis....
How about Cyber Security, you agree with your man on that too huh? Well enjoy your freedom to say what you want on the net for a short time longer anyway. While you have a very nice clouded perspective of reality please have an equally nice day. - 1 year ago
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riverratt50
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ayipis
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what any selt respecting obama supporter should do is take out their checkbook and donate to the cause..............
LOL..the GOP got you guys beat..better call barbara streisand to do another $500 a plate concert or a colbert rally where mr colbert can donate his time for FREE to fight for the cause (you guys can go and show your alliance to your party there)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2010-08-24-primaries_N.htm
Big campaign war chests helped veteran Sen. John McCain easily win his Republican primary in Arizona on Tuesday and newcomer Rick Scott upset a party stalwart in Florida's GOP gubernatorial contest, on a night that also set up key three-way battles for the fall.
Scott used $39 million of his personal fortune to defeat state Attorney General Bill McCollum, backed by ex-governor Jeb Bush, for the GOP nomination for the state's top job.
- 1 year ago
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ayipis
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toyotabedzrock
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This is how corporations think of themselves, and how Texas will soon teach history.
- 1 year ago
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toyotabedzrock
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ayipis
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toyotabedzrock:
HAHHAHAAHAHAHHHAHHA..from a comic strip..
are you 5 or think like 5
- 1 year ago
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ayipis
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ReverandG
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toyotabedzrock:
Wow is that really the best you could do?
- 1 year ago
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ReverandG
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wellhunggimp
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ayipis:
yeah, it was drawn. That must mean there's no validity to it. That makes sense.
- 1 year ago
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wellhunggimp
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randallr01
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Who deserves that wonderful photo credit?! Because I'm posting it to my facebook.
- 1 year ago
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randallr01
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ayipis
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randallr01:
LOL!!!!!!
he deserves the credit..................make sure you put some music at the background..puts the kids to sleep..LOL
(sorry for the low blow but its just to way comical to see grown people rely on comic strips)
- 1 year ago
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ayipis
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toyotabedzrock
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randallr01:
The cartoon or the one on the story?
- 1 year ago
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toyotabedzrock
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randallr01
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ayipis:
It's not a "low blow" at all. The dim always find themselves clever while others do not (and I'm referring to you, by the way).
Wait... I should spell it out for you. I'm calling you D I M.
- 1 year ago
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randallr01
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randallr01
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toyotabedzrock:
the one on the story, considering that i posted that comment before the comic strip was posted..
- 1 year ago
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randallr01
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jubal
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That is all they have left is money....they don't have the truth....they are the empire of lies.
- 1 year ago
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jubal
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ayipis
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jubal:
so when is obama going to deal with the BP disaster??
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64420A20100505
POLITICO (Washington) - While the BP oil geyser pumps millions of gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico, President Barack Obama and members of Congress may have to answer for the millions in campaign contributions they've taken from the oil and gas giant over the years.
BP and its employees have given more than $3.5 million to federal candidates over the past 20 years, with the largest chunk of their money going to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Donations come from a mix of employees and the company's political action committees - $2.89 million flowed to campaigns from BP-related PACs and about $638,000 came from individuals.
On top of that, the oil giant has spent millions each year on lobbying — including $15.9 million last year alone — as it has tried to influence energy policy.
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i guess we all know "where the buck ends"..LOL
- 1 year ago
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ayipis
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ReverandG
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jubal:
Speaking of the Democrats there I see Jubal. Jumping ship....?
- 1 year ago
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ReverandG
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toyotabedzrock
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Almost everyone on Current can find someone on this list of donors that they really do not like.
- 1 year ago
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toyotabedzrock
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ayipis
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toyotabedzrock:
so who do you guys like from the DNC list??
- 1 year ago
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ayipis
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toyotabedzrock
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ayipis:
You are the last person I would tell.
- 1 year ago
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toyotabedzrock
