How many "non-profit" front groups to lobby against the public interest can one guy run?

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.bermanexposed.org/

Who is Richard Berman?

Richard Berman is a Washington, D.C.-based hired gun who uses front groups to defend his corporate clients against the public interest. Using his lobbying and consulting firm, Berman and Company, as a revenue vehicle for his activities, Berman runs at least 23 industry-funded projects, such as the Center for Union Facts, and holds 24 "positions" within these various entities.

The Many Faces of Berman and Company

Lobbyists Hide Behind Non-Profit Fronts

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I bet you have seen a lot of this guys corporate "messages" posted on the Internet. I know I have.

[unhappycamper]

1. Berman sure sounds like a nice guy.

Not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berman_and_Company

Berman and Company
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Berman and Company is a public affairs firm owned by lobbyist Rick Berman, based in Washington DC. The company runs several industry-funded front groups such as the Center for Consumer Freedom<1> and the Center for Union Facts.<2> over that of the consumer.<3><4><5> His companies have attacked groups looking to raise public awareness about obesity, the dangers of smoking, mad cow disease, drunk driving, the minimum wage and other causes.<5><4><3><6> Berman is also vehemently anti-union.<6><3>

Operations

Berman and Company employs 28 people, and brings in $10 million per year. According to a 2006 USA Today profile, "only Berman and his bookkeeper/wife know for sure what he makes."<4> Political watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington reports that Berman pockets approximately between 50-80% of the company's profits.<6>

The company has created a number of tax-exempt subgroups,<7> including the Center for Consumer Freedom (which attacks those who criticize smoking, fast food or alcohol)<6> and the Center for Union Facts (an anti-union group).<6> Through these groups, Berman and Company have attacked public awareness organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among many others.<4><6>

Funding

Though Berman and Company do not publicly name their clients, 60 Minutes obtained a list of the companies that fund them. Among the parties named were the Coca-Cola Company, Tyson Foods, Outback Steakhouse, Wendy's International, Inc., Brinker International (parent company of Chili's and Macaroni Grill), and Arby's.<3><6>

[NNN0LHI]

2. Important to know our enemy

[unhappycamper]

3. True Brother.

Did you see my thread on ChoicePoint?

[NNN0LHI]

4. I don't recall it. I have been hit and miss here lately

My wife has had a list of honey do's for me every day.

Don

[unhappycamper]

6. Here ya go:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8710031

[KharmaTrain]

5. A Nice Scam Operation...

Berman is one of several who have set up "non-profits" and PACS that have altruistic sounding names that raise money from the gullible to fund their lobbying and political efforts. Most of the money goes to help elect and promote rushpublicans and also enable the rich to funnel unlimited amounts of money without having to disclose who they are. The "consultants" then make a nice fee, no taxes are paid and our government gets bought a little more.

I see a lot of these groups operating today...just this morning I saw a "Citizens United" ad all but begging to bomb Iran. Then there's the Chamber of Commerce and its multi-million dollar effort to undermine elections. The political underground economy is booming and with it come the vermin...