One Wisconsin protester’s sign against the Kochs. (Photo credit: Flickr user Sue Peacock)
Americans For Prosperity (AFP), the group founded and funded by the right-wing billionaires the Koch Brothers, has its sights set on Arkansas.
Having just spent big in Kansas to unseat some of the state’s last moderate Republicans, AFP is now looking to swing both the House and Senate in Arkansas to the Republican Party.
The Washington Post reports today that the organization has pledged to spend a million dollars on state races there, and is already organizing astroturf events to entice voters, including free barbecues and bus tours.
Let’s put that million dollars into perspective. The Institute for Money In State Politics estimates that the average House race in the state cost $30,723 during the previous 2009-2010 cycle. The average Senate race cost a bit more at $95,626.
Arkansas Republicans only need to win three seats in the Senate and five seats in the House in order to win control of the state’s legislature. That means that if the average cost was similar to the previous cycle, the Kochs’ AFP could afford to fully subsidize each winning race through outside expenditures (which are not subject to strict limits like donating directly to a candidate).
It doesn’t have to be this way. We can kick Big Money out of our politics. Click here to join PCCC’s Take Back Democracy campaign and help kick Big Money out of our politics.
The hill is much steeper than you think. The right wing rich have found ways to go right into your home to control the innocent citizen. They don’t view the TV set like you do. The media plays a supporting role because the Koch brothers are the sons of the very man who started the John Birch Society. But did you ever hear that when the media do their “exposes” on the air? The SC gave the right wing the ability to run amok. I am so turned off that the race for the Presidency and many lower offices have turned into races for money. But if anyone needs a good reason to vote for Obama then just check out the age of the Supreme Court judges.
I still wonder who bought th ecorrupt U S Supreme Court injustices that determined corporations are people and money is free speech? I suspect it was the Koch Brothers, or big oil , or Wall St. or all of the above or someone else. Of course, all the bigotry, racism, hate and fear that the republicans generate works well in many places!! The far-right wing nuts, the tea baggers, republicans and big business just can’t get over the FACT that President Obama was elected LEGALLY, and won by a significant margin. Unlike the alleged president George W. Bush. And again the corrupt U S Supreme Court gave the election to Bush instead of enforcing the voting laws in FL. Only when the 99% stands as ONE against the 1% and the super-rich companies and lobbyists will DEMOCRACY be rstored in America. Finally, like most Americans I’m fed up with the constant campaign ads and the PATHOLOGICAL LIES from the republican party and their super-pacs.Romney said what the super-rich and 1% truly beleive about th 47% “Personally irresponsible” as he put it. Mitt show us your income tax returns!!!!!