This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Breaking news: Developer PAC Issues Call to Action Against Socialist
reaking news: Developer PAC Issues Call to Action Against Socialist
Super PACs, including a GOP-linked PAC, are trying to buy another election by pouring money into the Minneapolis City Council races. We can’t let them buy our elections. Donate $50, $25, or $15 now to tip the scales in favor of working people.
Friends,
The attacks have begun. The Star Tribune reported todaythat downtown developers and corporate donors plan to spend big through at least three PACs, including a Republican-aligned PAC, to influence the Minneapolis elections in favor of the 1%.
According to the article, “[Downtown Council President Steve] Cramer, Jonathan Weinhagen, president of the Minneapolis Chamber, and Kevin Lewis, president of the Building Owners and Managers Association, used their e-mail soliciting donations to highlight Ginger Jentzen, a Socialist candidate for the council seat that will be vacated by mayoral candidate and Council Member Jacob Frey.
“If you thought it was impossible for a committed Socialist to run on a platform of rent control and establishing a municipal income tax … meet: Ginger Jentzen,” they wrote, adding that she is the “leading candidate” in the Third Ward.”
The call to action from big developers and corporate donors is aimed directly at attacking our movement. This past week, the corporate developer PAC “Minneapolis Works!” bombarded at least 4 wards with mailers riddled with distortions, painting pro-developer, establishment candidates as progressives in an attempt to confuse working people.
Infuriated by the historic transfer of wealth from CEOs to ordinary workers with the passage of $15 and paid sick leave, and fearful of rent control, they are determined to defeat candidates who threaten their big money interests. The PAC’s donors include millionaire developer Steve Minn; Downtown Council President Steve Cramer, and CEO of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Jonathan Weinhagen, both of whom fought ferociously against a $15/hour minimum wage and paid sick time.
It’s clear - big developers are trying to buy our election.
According to the Star Tribune, “[Minneapolis Works!] is also asking for corporations to donate to the Minnesota Jobs Coalition, a Republican-leaning organization, which will funnel the money to Minneapolis Works.”
This is only the beginning. Our campaign has been on the cutting edge of calling for rent control and taxing the rich. We can expect waves of attack mailers, potentially radio and TV ads, and more, all designed to mislead people in the final days before the election on November 7th.
But we can overcome the power of corporate PACs and their war chests if we continue our grassroots organizing.
To respond to these attacks, we to need to print new literature in the next week to reach out to the nearly 30,000 voters in ward 3 with our pro-renter, pro-working families message. This is an enormous feat, and we are counting on you to help. We need to raise $10,000 in the next week. That’s a lot of money, but if 100 people donate $100, then we can do it.
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