|
|
Spin Shops, State by State TrueDialog.org has its origins in Maine, but is designed to become a national clearinghouse of information about spin shops, stealth public relations firms posing as "think tanks." Sometimes, otherwise legitimate public policy groups become overzealous and cross the line, too. In time, this site will connect different state-based chapters to monitor the full range of such activities nationwide. To make this possible, we need your input. Got a public policy group that seems to have a substantial part of its activities focused on political advocacy for specific candidates, legislative bills or ballot measures? Is there a spin shop in your state? Let us know about it. Here are our present findings: Multi-State Groups While TrueDialog.org is focused on smaller, single state-based groups, the general pattern of abuse at every level is explicit in this overview of the U.S. Senate investigations into the Abramoff case. This is must-reading for understanding how these corrupt practices operate. Check this excerpt from the 600-page report detailing how one of Abramoff's lobbying clients received public relations support from Grover Norquist and his organization, Americans for Tax Reform. Iowa: The earliest example we have found of these kinds of activities goes back to the 1980's when it was determined that Iowans for Tax Relief operated as a political committee under state law. ITR has since divided up into three allied organizations to properly conform to state and federal law. Maine: Maine Heritage Policy Center is the subject of an ongoing investigation. A present, we are gathering the wealth of information presently and making it available for easy access. More information is forthcoming. In the meantime, this sketch of the origins and early activities of the organization is now available. *** |
|
All materials on this website are copyright © 2007 by TrueDialog.org. All rights reserved. |
|
