Charles Koch undoubtedly has had the greatest influence and impact upon Conservative political pursuits over the past three decades. With his brother David, Charles Koch has invested millions of dollars into creating and establishing a Conservative cabal that exceeds any other similar political effort - here or in Europe.

Their organization really is a "cabal" and serves as a pseudo-legal organized criminal element. I know that sounds harsh and perhaps overstated, but over the past couple of years our research shows that is exactly how the entire network is operated - and that overall their goal is a theft of democracy in the U.S. and more recently throughout other democratic countries.

You are aware of the ALEC Exposed project by the Center for Media and Democracy and Nation Magazine that exposed all of ALEC's model legislation...the UK scandal that broke late last year involving ALEC's British partner, Atlantic Bridge, Margaret Thatcher and the UK Defense Minister, Liam Fox. Heritage Foundation set up a "Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom" in conjunction with Atlantic Bridge to advance their Conservative platform here and in the UK.

One aspect of the cabal that has not been fully revealed (and many remain undisclosed) is how the cabal recruits new and young Conservative students. Sure, we know about how Koch provides endowments to the likes of Florida State University. In exchange for funding Koch receives the ability to set the curricula in economic departments of public universities and in the case of FSU has the final say on hiring of professorial staffers. However in addition to buying influences upon and within our public universities, this cabal has other programmatic operations ongoing to ensure the spread of the Conservative message to college students. These efforts have been so successful that today many who have been exposed to the propaganda and disinformation taught through this program, are now holding positions of influence, power in many of our state and federal agencies, programs and departments.

Here are but a few examples of how they accomplish doing this...let's say a young student expresses interest in the Conservative "principles" of "freedom", "free markets" and smaller government. In discussions in class or his/her dorm, this student says they want to know more about this philosophy. Another student, hearing this can't miss an opportunity to "recruit" a fellow student and advises that if he/she really wants to understand the Conservative philosophy, they can apply for an internship in one of more than fifty Conservative organizations, foundations or institutes - just like dozens of fellow students have done. These internships are designed to provide assistance in a myriad number of occupations and vocations from media and journalism through business administration, film making and economics. In fact no matter the major of our fictitious student, the Conservatives have an intern program that fits their future plans.

They explain the internships pay the student to participate and that helps them out financially and allows them to rub elbows with other students who have similar questions, ideologies or pursuits. One program offered to these students provides them with instructions on debating other students on the benefits of Conservative principals. Another provides them with seminars taught by the likes of Ann Coulter, espousing the greatness of Conservative ideals and goals. Following these internships students are offered post-graduate programs to further their study of Conservative principals. They are placed in actual business positions to gain experience and see conservativism at work in day to day settings. Once our hypothetical student graduates, those institutes or foundations where they interned go the extra mile and find jobs and place him/her in a lucrative position where they can continue to expand their knowledge and beliefs in Conservative ideologies.

I know this sounds very complex and unrealistic. However the following should assure you it in fact is how they have operated for years and why so many of our institutions and governmental agencies seem to no longer work properly - why our MSM appears to pay little attention to how the Right Wing minority has taken control of society. Let's look at a few examples of this and you make the call...

...Monica Mastracco. A News article noticed that she was recently named as the new Manager of Member Relations for the National Tank Truck Carriers corporation. I know, some are thinking what in the hell is the NTTC? Well here is an about from their website:

The National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. (NTTC) represents the most specialized segment of the trucking industry. From the drivers' rooms to the boardrooms, your workforce, your equipment, and your operations have to be the best. You need your own voice in Washington and in the shipper community. The NTTC is the only international trade association focused exclusively on your unique legislative, regulatory, and operational concerns. NTTC is a member-driven, issues-oriented tank truck association. Since 1945, we have successfully represented our members before Congress and various federal agencies such as Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, and others. Today, our organization is comprised of more than 200 trucking companies – representing over 80% of bulk volume hauled in North America – and about 300 associate members who supply products and essential services to our trucking membership.

The statement; "the only international trade association focused exclusively on your unique legislative, regulatory, and operational concerns. NTTC is a member-driven, issues-oriented tank truck association..." is a key to why they are important. As a special interest group dealing with commercial transportation of commodities via truck, they have concerns about any legislation and particularly regulations pertaining to transport. With 200 trucking companies and 300 companies using their transport services, it stands to reason they lobby for less government regulations over their business. In order to accomplish this must exert great influence upon any federal legislation pertaining to their organization and services. Not only are the interests of trucking companies looked after by the NTTC, but the interests of the 300 companies shipping their products over our roads to consumers.

Why did the NTTC pick Ms. Mastracco as Manager of their Member Relations? She came to them with impeccable qualifications - straight from ALEC...

Mastracco attended St. Mary's college (Notre Dame). During her college years she accepted an internship with the Clare Booth Luce Policy Institute. Never heard of the CBLPI? Here are some excerpts from their website...

"Do you want to get involved in the conservative movement? Are you interested in becoming a stronger student activist on your campus? Do you have aspirations for a career in public policy, journalism, development or communications? "The Luce Policy Institute welcomes your application for a spring, summer or fall internship at our Northern Virginia headquarters, just outside of Washington, DC. "Clare Boothe Luce serves as a leading example of the personal and professional success that come from grace, hard work, dignity, faith, commitment to family, unwavering values, and strength. For this reason, we help students bring conservative viewpoints to their campus by hosting women who are leaders in their home, workplace, and community as well as advocates for the conservative principles upon which our nation was built. These events are centered on the need for academic excellence in education through balanced debate and discussion about important public policy issues. "Our monthly Conservative Women's Network (CWN) luncheons, co-hosted with the Heritage Foundation, provide a forum for leaders to present conservative ideas on various issues. Local women of all ages in the Washington, D.C. area come together to discuss, debate, and make new acquaintances. CBLPI also hosts an Afternoon With an Author series to highlight new conservative books and encourage networking and discussion.

CLBPI doesn't restrict their activities to universities - they have a K-12 scholarship program for Virginia students

Those completing the internship program at CLBPI go on to take positions with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, Heritage Foundation and the Institute for Humane Studies (Koch's ultimate Internship program for Conservatives - where he serves as the Director). This year's most prolific "Lecturer" for CBLPI is none other than Ann Coulter. Of course, like most Koch affiliated organizations, foundations and institutes, CBLPI is a 501 (C)(3) "charity".

After successful completion of her CBLPI internship, Mastracco was placed with the Philanthropy Roundtable (where Charles Koch has a noticeable presence) as a "Project Coordinator" where her duties included:

• Developed an effective travel plan for the President and coordinated all logistical aspects of his travel

• Supervised the 2009 and 2010 William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership project

• Participated in and provided donor relations for regional events and annual meetings

• Managed speakers and developed content for 16 discussions at the 2009 Annual Meeting

• Coordinated more than a dozen private meetings during annual meeting; managed meeting dinner logistics

• Managed intern program, including training and guidelines

• Managed Top Prospects database, composed letters, and planned 3 successful Top Prospect meetings

• Collaborated with Director of Technology to improve the efficiency of top prospects meetings

• Maintained donor history project and top prospect documentation, including conducting strategic research

Then there's Meredith L. Allen with a similar background involving everything Koch:

A Liberty University graduate, Allen has built up an extensive resume in the five years she’s been in the workplace. Her experiences include positions with Americans for Tax Reform, the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, the marketing firm of Cassidy & Pinkard Colliers, Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation and the Clare Booth Luce Policy Institute.

Allen was hired as the Commissioner of Planning and Development for West Haven, CT. in August of this year.

Then there's Michael J. Scionti, a current Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for

Intergovernmental Affairs and Homeland Defense. From his professional resume...

"Michael J. Scionti is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intergovernmental Affairs and Homeland Defense. In this capacity, he advises the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs and other senior Department

of Defense officials on national defense and homeland security matters involving state and local governments and other federal agencies, and promotes the Department’s strategy, legislative priorities, and policies regarding the National Guard and Reserve forces. "Mr. Scionti served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for Legislative District 58 (Tampa). As a State Representative, he served on various House Councils and Committees most notably as Ranking Member on Florida’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Council and Criminal and Civil Justice Council. He also served as Ranking Member on Florida’s Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. In addition, Mr. Scionti served as Minority Whip and key member of Florida’s House Minority Leadership, sponsoring legislation and shaping policy initiatives that focused on public safety and security, economic growth and development, and military service members and their families. "Mr. Scionti was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law. He is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Scionti is one of those rare Democrats belonging to ALEC. Of more importance is that his professional bio put out by the DoD provides he is still a member of ALEC. Like Stacia Hylton - former government Federal Detention Trustee turned Geo Group Lobbyist and now Director of the U.S. Marshal's Service - Scionti was appointed to his position with the DoD by President Obama.

Scionti received campaign contributions from all the usual suspects; Finance, Health, Labor and real estate - as well as lobbyists.

There is also John Shanahan, who went from the Senate Environment & Public

Works Committeem to lobbyist for the National Mining Assoc., then to the

Dept. of Labor and from there to ALEC as Director of Public Policy, before

returning to lobbying for the Hawthorne Group.

Of more importance to the ongoing political and legislative pursuits of Koch, ALEC and the cabal are the dearth of voter ID bills being considered nationwide. All of us here at DK and Progressives from coast to coast are aware that these legislative pursuits are political and designed to disenfranchise predominantly Democratic voters who are elderly, in our minorities, college students and ex-offenders. The Cabal have their "expert" on this issue who they managed to work into the DoJ and the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). This would be Hans A. von Spakovsky, Senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and affiliate of ALEC. Though I have not performed a deep search on Spakovsky to determine where he "interned" during or after attending college at MIT and Vanderbilt University, what he has done since has all been devoted to advancing Koch and the cabal's agenda.

Spakovsky was appointed by George Bush to the Federal Election Commission in 2005 and when that appointment was objected to by Democrats, Bush used his powers to appoint him during a Congressional recess.

"Von Spakovsky served as Republican Party chairman in Fulton County, Georgia and as a Republican appointee to the Fulton County Registration and Election Board, where he championed strict voter-identification laws. While in Georgia, von Spakovsky was a member of the politically conservative Federalist Society. He worked as a lawyer for George W. Bush's team during the 2000 Florida Presidential election recount. After Bush's election victory, von Spakovsky was appointed to the Civil Rights division of the U.S. Department of Justice. "Von Spakovsky's tenure at the Justice Department was marked by a focus on voter eligibility and voter fraud. In 2005, he led the Department's approval of a controversial Georgia law requiring voters to produce photo ID, despite strong objections from Justice Department staff that the law would disproportionately harm and disenfranchise African-American voters. Von Spakovksy subsequently acknowledged that he had written a law review article supporting such photo ID laws under the pseudonym "Publius", prompting concerns that he should have recused himself from the Justice Department decision. The Georgia law was subsequently overturned by a federal judge, who compared it to a "Jim-Crow era poll tax". During von Spakovsky's tenure, more than half of the career Justice Department staff left the voting section in protest.

"A crusading GOP critic of the Obama Justice Department’s Voting Section, Hans von Spakovsky, has admitted to having Department sources that are leaking apparently confidential and highly personal information that he is using to viciously attack Voting Section staff and to smear the Department at large. "Leaking such information—including details from ongoing Inspector General inquiries into a previous media leak and detailing the behavior of a DOJ employee related to that internal investigation—would not only violate DOJ confidentiality rules, but also could violate the federal Privacy Act, which governs how agencies are to control records."

Just last week Spakovsky's involvement in supporting voter ID legislation for Conservatives was highlighted in " Is Privacy Act Violated as Voting War’s GOP Hit Man is Fed Leaks By Justice Department Mole? " published by Alternet.He truly is serving as the GOP "Hit Man" on this issue.

What does all the foregoing show us? That the cabal is well organized and has been using their established recruiting techniques effectively over the past 30 years. Today we see the results of their "internship" and similar programs in every federal department, agency and at all levels of government and media. These individuals have an impact upon everything in the U.S. from the Supreme Court, through Congress to the state lawmakers, business interests, media, banking, finance and important legislation. Through "endowments" and "contributions" to our public universities they are buying an outlet for their skewed beliefs in economics, environment and business departments. Students are taught the Conservative concepts on these and other important issues and topics. This in and of itself is changing the landscape of America and democracy.

Left to continue these machinations the Conservative minority is expanding their ranks and pressuring for dangerous changes to our way of life, politics and very environment and health of the globe itself. I've said it before and continue to argue that Progressives and true Liberals must find a way to come together and organize to defend against this concerted attack upon us. The way forward is not to attempt to emulate the same sort of agenda as the Cabal; recruiting, disinformation and propaganda and creation of closed and controlled media. Rather we must put a stop to these efforts advanced by the Conservative led cabal.

Since the ALEC Exposed project was released in July there has been an escalation in articles, stories, releases of more documents and calls for lawmakers and corporations to resign from ALEC. In the face of all this the Cabal has stood firmly, refusing to apologize or change their ways. ALEC continues to retain their membership - corporate and legislative - and the GOP in DC led by ALEC Alum's Boehner and Cantor continue their efforts of reducing taxes for the richest and refusing to provide funding for necessary programs for the middle class.

Law enforcement agencies and personnel are being used to disrupt protests and the Occupy movements from coast to coast, the MSM refuses to report on ALEC and the Koch influences and President Obama's administration continues to make appointments of ALEC alumni and members - such as Scionti to the DoD. These confederates must be removed from our government and institutions - not supplemented by more of the same by a Democratic President and his administration!

Through ALEC and the Koch led cabal everything we know, understand and stand for is under unrelenting attack. They have manipulated laws, rules and regulations to allow them to amass most of the wealth in our country. They are now putting that money to work on taking our rights to vote, our freedoms through harsh and unconstitutional legislation such as the NDAA just signed by President Obama and fighting against social safety net programs for those of us who have lost our land, homes and money to them. They are after the huge equities held by seniors in their homes through Reverse Mortgages, the balance of the money left in Social Security accounts and want to abolish Medicare altogether.

Cumulatively what they are after is a fascist government whereby corporations and business elitists control our society. I know, all of us hate the very sound of the word fascist, but it is what it is. I didn't invent or coin the term (my contribution to the definition is Corporatocracy) but I have read and have an understanding of the definition of fascism as given by Dr. Lawrence Britt in his work titled, "Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism".

In closing let me leave you with just four of Britt's fourteen characteristics of fascism:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays. 2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc... 9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite. 10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

Do your own research and look at ALEC Exposed for the lists of politicians who are ALEC members. Get involved in the 2012 election and vote these men and women out of office. Pick candidates to replace them who have your interests at heart - not the desires of corporations. Vote their Alumni out of Congress as they come up for reelection. You can find all 100 of them listed here. Unless we all become involved in saving democracy, our children and grand children will be left to deal with a Koch owned and controlled America. The least we can do today is try our best to prevent that from being their future.

Come join us in Charlotte in May as we again protest against ALEC at their Spring Summit. If you can afford to help support our continuing research and activism on and against ALEC and Koch, please take a moment and visit our new (and still under construction) website at: http://vltp.net/... and donate to help us fight for you and your communities. Deductions are tax deductible and every cent you donate goes to continuing our fight; posters, travel to the ALEC events, research, journalism and conferencing. Your contributions help us develop work such as our "Federal Government and Corrupt Practices" Report, being used by researchers and analysts in the U.S. and other countries.