The Tea Party Grifters
Steve LaTourette is a former Republican Congressman from Ohio. Today he wrote a column about the leaders of the Tea Party movement and described them as grifters.
Click here for reuse options!Political grifting is a lucrative business. Groups like the Club for Growth, FreedomWorks and the Tea Party Patriots are run by men and women who have made millions by playing on the fears and anger about the dysfunction in Washington. My former House colleague Chris Chocola is pocketing a half-million dollars a year heading the Club for Growth; same for Matt Kibbe heading up FreedomWorks (and I don’t think Kibbe’s salary includes the infamous craft beer bar that FreedomWorks donors ended up paying for). The Tea Party Patriots pay their head, Jenny Beth Martin, almost as much. These people have lined their pockets by promising that if you send them money, they will send men and women to Washington who can “fix it.” Of course, in the ultimate con, the always extreme and often amateurish candidates these groups back either end up losing to Democrats or they come to Washington and actually make the process even more dysfunctional.
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Stuart Shapiro
Stuart is a professor and the Director of the Public Policy
program at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers
University. He teaches economics and cost-benefit analysis and studies
regulation in the United States at both the federal and state levels.
Prior to coming to Rutgers, Stuart worked for five years at the Office
of Management and Budget in Washington under Presidents Clinton and
George W. Bush.
34 responses to The Tea Party Grifters
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Obewon August 4th, 2014 at 14:51
With all of their payola “secretly donated”, you’d think their 501 (c) TP overlords would’ve been able to hire more effective grifters leaving them better off than today’s mere 15% approval. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tea-party-support-hits-new-lows-poll/
mea_mark August 4th, 2014 at 14:58
It’s all about fleecing the rubes now. The grifters have figured out the party is in the toilet and will never win enough to amount to anything so it is time to grab as much cash as they can siphon off and hide it. At some point the republicans might figure out they are being ripped off, but not today.
Obewon August 4th, 2014 at 15:16
TP’s economic literacy leaves them complaining about positive ROI job creating stimulus, while never griping about ‘Kibbe’s salary didn’t include the infamous craft beer bar that FreedomWorks donors ended up paying for.’ Similarly TP never belch about $60 B+ in annual Big Oil tax breaks for the wealthiest corps in human history. TP motto: ‘Leave no billionaire or Koch brother behind.’
Suzanne McFly August 4th, 2014 at 15:37
These nuts not only support oil companies shiesting Americans, but insurance companies as well. If Rove tells these people their own mother is Satan’s bride, they will believe him. It’s like they are battered spouses who have Stockholm syndrome.
Obewon August 4th, 2014 at 14:51
With all of their payola “secretly donated”, you’d think their 501 (c) TP overlords would’ve been able to hire more effective grifters leaving them better off than today’s mere 15% “support.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tea-party-support-hits-new-lows-poll/ ‘Grift them for me.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I3S8lPM6qM
mea_mark August 4th, 2014 at 14:58
It’s all about fleecing the rubes now. The grifters have figured out the party is in the toilet and will never win enough to amount to anything so it is time to grab as much cash as they can siphon off and hide it. At some point the republicans might figure out they are being ripped off, but not today.
Obewon August 4th, 2014 at 15:16
TP’s economic illiteracy leaves them complaining about SNAP and other positive Return On Investment job creating stimulus. But they never gripe about ‘Kibbe’s salary excluding the infamous craft beer bar that FreedomWorks donors ended up paying for.’ Similarly TP never belch about $60 B+ in annual Big Oil tax breaks for the wealthiest corps in human history. TP motto: ‘Leave no billionaire Koch brother behind.’
Suzanne McFly August 4th, 2014 at 15:37
These nuts not only support oil companies shiesting Americans, but insurance companies as well. If Rove tells these people their own mother is Satan’s bride, they will believe him. It’s like they are battered spouses who have Stockholm syndrome.
KABoink_after_wingnut_hacker August 4th, 2014 at 14:56
Caribou Barbie is one of the more successful at separating rubes from their money.
Larry Schmitt August 4th, 2014 at 18:05
I wonder how many goobers ended up subscribing?
KABoink_after_wingnut_hacker August 4th, 2014 at 18:45
Let’s hope lots waste their money on the Tundra Twit. At least their not funding anything viable.
KABoink_after_wingnut_hacker August 4th, 2014 at 14:56
Caribou Barbie is one of the more successful shysters at separating rubes from their money.
Larry Schmitt August 4th, 2014 at 18:05
I wonder how many goobers ended up subscribing?
KABoink_after_wingnut_hacker August 4th, 2014 at 18:45
Let’s hope lots waste their money on the Tundra Twit. At least their not funding anything viable.
fancypants August 4th, 2014 at 15:02
FreedomWorks donors ended up paying for). The Tea Party Patriots pay their head, Jenny Beth Martin, almost as much. These people have lined their pockets by promising that if you send them money, they will send men and women to Washington who can “fix it.” Of course, in the ultimate con, the always extreme and often amateurish candidates these groups back either end up losing to Democrats or they come to Washington and actually make the process even more dysfunctional.
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its a lot like occupy wallstreet meets mardi gras
fancypants August 4th, 2014 at 15:02
FreedomWorks donors ended up paying for). The Tea Party Patriots pay their head, Jenny Beth Martin, almost as much. These people have lined their pockets by promising that if you send them money, they will send men and women to Washington who can “fix it.” Of course, in the ultimate con, the always extreme and often amateurish candidates these groups back either end up losing to Democrats or they come to Washington and actually make the process even more dysfunctional.
————————————————
its a lot like occupy wallstreet meets mardi gras
arc99 August 4th, 2014 at 15:48
Over 1800 comments posted under the original article at politico.com.
The overwhelming majority of the comments emphasize one very important point. Right wingers will villify anyone who does not toe the politically correct party line. Dissent is not tolerated.
The vitriol being directed at Mr. LaTourette is striking to say the least.
And they accuse liberals of group-think? I beg to differ.
mea_mark August 4th, 2014 at 16:01
They just don’t want to admit that they have been duped, scammed and played for fools by those that want to grift away as much of there hard earned wealth as possible.
mmaynard119 August 4th, 2014 at 19:06
That’s amazing. I thought most of them wrote their hate letters in crayon. They must have had help to use a computer.
arc99 August 4th, 2014 at 15:48
Over 1800 comments posted under the original article at politico.com.
The overwhelming majority of the comments emphasize one very important point. Right wingers will villify anyone who does not toe the politically correct party line. Dissent is not tolerated.
The vitriol being directed at Mr. LaTourette is striking to say the least.
And they accuse liberals of group-think? I beg to differ.
mea_mark August 4th, 2014 at 16:01
They just don’t want to admit that they have been duped, scammed and played for fools by those that want to grift away as much of there hard earned wealth as possible.
mmaynard119 August 4th, 2014 at 19:06
That’s amazing. I thought most of them wrote their hate letters in crayon. They must have had help to use a computer.
RioBravoHombre August 4th, 2014 at 16:44
Lying to rubes and racists is a time honored GOP tradition.
RioBravoHombre August 4th, 2014 at 16:44
Lying to rubes and racists is a time honored GOP tradition.
ChrisVosburg August 4th, 2014 at 18:53
The man makes a lot of sense, for a Republican.
Tammy Minton Haley August 6th, 2014 at 01:04
i’ve seen this guy on a few shows–he is what republicans used to be: grown-up, rational, serious…
ChrisVosburg August 4th, 2014 at 18:53
The man makes a lot of sense, for a Republican.
Tammy Minton Haley August 6th, 2014 at 01:04
i’ve seen this guy on a few shows–he is what republicans used to be: grown-up, rational, serious…
mmaynard119 August 4th, 2014 at 19:05
Well we know these dumb white men have one part of their body that’s large.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/201104/conservatives-big-fear-brain-study-finds
mmaynard119 August 4th, 2014 at 19:05
Well we know these dumb white men have one part of their body that’s large.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/201104/conservatives-big-fear-brain-study-finds
Dwendt44 August 4th, 2014 at 19:51
The Koch Bros. wouldn’t spend start up money on the Tea Party if there wasn’t something in it for them.
Dick Armey either. Those two self absorbed types are only out for themselves.
Dwendt44 August 4th, 2014 at 19:51
The Koch Bros. wouldn’t spend start up money on the Tea Party if there wasn’t something in it for them.
Dick Armey either. Those two self absorbed types are only out for themselves.
burqa August 9th, 2014 at 21:46
50 – 1 Chris Chocola’s nickname is “Count.”
burqa August 9th, 2014 at 21:46
50 – 1 Chris Chocola’s nickname is “Count.”