Spotlight on: New Power PAC
Paying Ben to "Stop the Destruction" of Coal-fired Energy
“We know that Kentucky loses ground with every day that our leaders coddle the coal industry and refuse to face the future. Kentuckians can’t afford political leaders who are unable or unwilling to seize this moment and make the most of it. It’s time for new power!”
And..they decided it's time for Ben Chandler! Ben Chandler was the only candidate New Power PAC supported in 2010, with contributions totalling $11,684, given in Oct. 2010.
New Power PAC was formed in Oct. 2010 by Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC), an environmental group espousing a shift from fossil fuels to alternative energy.
KFTC claims credit for the cancellation of East Kentucky Power's (EKPC) plans for a coal-fired power plant in Clark County in Nov. 2010.
EKPC agreed to withdraw all construction permits and enter into collaberation with KFTC to expand the use of "renewable" energy and energy efficiency programs by the electrical coopoerative. KFTC, in return, agreed to dismiss a number of lawsuits and other challenges which were pending against EKPC. KFTC also promised not to oppose the power company's efforts to recover costs already spent on the plant.
The working group thus arranged includes reps from KFTC, their environmental allies, the KY Office of the Attorney General, and electrical distribution co-ops. EKPC agreed to pay the start-up costs for the group, including up to $100,000 for studies of wind resources or other forms of "renewable" energy.
Kind of like buying the rope for your own hanging!
It's interesting to note that GE, the manufacturer of wind turbines, has also been a generous donor to Ben's campaigns over the years.
If Ben sounds less than sincere in expressing any "desire" to see coal do well in the future...there's a reason! It seems he'd rather have you bear the cost of environmental surcharges, even if it runs into billions, than give up campaign funding. After all, what's really important?
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Kentuckians For The Commonwealth also want redistribution of wealth, a.k.a. "Economic Justice". Their mission statement includes a stated desire to create a Commonwealth "where public funds are equally distributed to advance the common good, where private corporations are accountable to citizens..." Flexing muscle through lawsuits, like their action against EKPC.
Spotlight on:
America Votes
America Votes provides "campaign infrastructure", including help with voter turnout. They are in favor of Obamacare, environmentalism, and same sex marriage. They are strong union supporters as well.
From their website:
" America Votes provides training on direct and grassroots lobbying...
on important issues like health care reform, environmental protection, and marriage equality.
"
America Votes donated services valued at $9,398 on 10/29/2010.
Donation timing and the nature of the America Votes organization suggests a role in identifying swing voters and delivering them to the polls for Chandler.
Youtube: America Votes president Joan Fitz-Gerald tells volunteers:
"Tea Party people will limit your civil rights... if you don't look like them, if you don't sound like them, if you don't say the same things that they say."
Ben decries "anonymous money" coming into the campaigns of the right. When it comes to his own war chest, it's another matter. According to FEC documents, America Votes is located in Washington DC, less than 2 blocks from the White House, prime real estate for lobbyists. The organization has no donors listed with the FEC, yet spent nearly $74,000 against 6 conservative Republicans, and more than $179,000 helping liberal Democrats.
Ben has distinguished company on the America Votes money roll. Alan Grayson from FL not only received $13,241; another $13,241 was spent against Daniel Webster, his challenger. Webster is a practicing Christian, who was grossly taken out of context and misrepresented in Grayson's "Taliban Dan" ad. The ad equated Webster's faith with the extremism of the Taliban.
The Left: "YOU Have to Pay For Free Speech!"
The First Amendment guarantees the right to freedom of political speech. It does not grant the right to force taxpayers to pay broadcasting expenses. Refusing to foot the bill is not censorship.
America Votes' March 9 blog entry accuses conservatives of seeking to silence opposing voices: "It is baffling that conservative news sources--Fox News certainly among them--can be so unsure of their message that they must attempt to silence the rational, polite discourse of alternative perspectives."
Fox News is a free market enterprise. Its growth is reflective of popular demand, supported by a network of advertisers selling goods and services to willing customers. NPR, on the other hand, seems to fear competing in the private world. If their programming is as popular and necessary as claimed, privatization should be no problem!
Ben Chandler is strongly defending using tax dollars to fund NPR. He told the KDP, "Do we ever know a time when we need public broadcasting more than we do now to get the word out to people?"
Say what you want, but pay your own way!