This month’s Commercially Determined on what harmful corporations do to get their messaging to the public and policymakers, how all that corporate political activity shapes our commercial environments, and what to do about it introduced A LOT of concepts. So, we decided to round off the month with this handy ABC explainer. Except, we’re not the ones doing all the explaining, others are.
A is for ‘Astroturfing’
Astroturf groups are fake grassroots groups (typically backed by corporate interests.)
E.g., “the American Council on Science and Health is funded by fracking interests, soda companies, cigarette companies, and chemical manufacturers. “It’s pure, straight up opposite world. It’s like if [the Last Week Tonight] show was called FunnyTime Happy Hour with Chuckle Hunk John Oliver” - it’s demonstrably false, we can’t back that shit up.”
“Last Week Tonight” - John Oliver 2018 Astroturfing: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
B is for ‘Bonafide and Shadow Lobbyists’
Bonafide and Shadow Lobbyists are armies of legit and masked Washington influencers typically hired in droves by industries and inaccessible to the American public or pro-public non-profit voices, until now…
E.g., “Citing a desire to gain influence in Washington, the American people confirmed Friday that they have hired high-powered D.C. lobbyist Jack Weldon of the firm Patton Boggs to help advance their agenda in Congress. Weldon is reportedly charging the American people $795 an hour. “Unlike R.J. Reynolds, Pfizer, or Bank of America, the U.S. populace lacks the access to public officials required to further its legislative goals,” a statement from the nation read in part. “Jack Weldon gives us that access.”
The Onion (satirical newspaper, a.k.a. made up fake news for laughs), October 6, 2010 - American People Hire High-Powered Lobbyist To Push Interests In Congress - The Onion
C is for ‘Corporate Money Influence in Politics’
Money talks in politics and lots of corporate money talks loudest, but the public has a plan!
E.g. “Spurred into action by the surge of Super PAC donations ahead of November’s general election, the American people this week collectively managed to raise $945.23 to offset the influence of corporate spending on politics. “Today we take a stand against big money’s stranglehold on the U.S. electoral system and give a voice back to the voters,” said spokesman Danny Bader.”
The Onion (satirical newspaper, a.k.a. made up fake news for laughs), June 22, 2012 - Americans Pool Together $945.23 To Counteract Corporate Money's Influence In Politics - The Onion
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