May 23, 2018
By Jon King
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (click here) released an opinion this week in a longstanding debate over Montana Political Practices law. Montana Attorney General’s office spokesman Eric Sell explains.
"The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion yesterday [May 22] upholding Montana's campaign disclosure laws, these were laws passed by the 2015 legislative session called 'the Disclose Act'" Sell said. "This tightened up Montana's regulations requiring anyone who is engaging in political activity during elections to disclose where their finances come from."...
What began heavily under "W" was the use of 501(c)4 as a means to NEVER DISCLOSE those that donate in large amounts. That can also include hiding monies from foreign entities.
Up to "W", the 501(c)4 was something basically used by groups that had a bill or some sort of cause and wanted to raise money. It was to serve as a separate entity from a 501(c)3 which is nothing more than a charitable cause. The (c)3s can take donations, but, they must not participate in political campaigns in any way.
The (c)4 was something let's say the American Cancer Society wanted to use for fundraising to bring forward permission to set up a research arm that required some-sort of congressional approval...let's say it is genetic research under "W"...and they would be involved in lobbying and educating lawmakers to provide such legal permission. That is what the (c)4s were designed to do.
BUT.
Along comes "W" and turns the damn thing on it's head and all of a sudden Koch Industries throws a bunch of money into American politics through the 501(c)4. The Kochs' end up having a bi-product of their company that has spawned individual non-profits such as "Americans for Prosperity." The extremist use of the (c)4s have become the passion of "Dark Money," including, the money that comes in from foreign entities. The organization CLAIMING a 501(c)4 can take money from any source and spend it on elections. There is no requirement for 501(c)4 organizations to disclose their donors, so the money comes in from everywhere including Russia.
The documentary "Dark Money" shows an incredible state that gets little recognition for the love of fellow man and democracy, namely Montana.
It is a documentary that is very well done and yes, John Tester is asked to participate in the discussion within the film content. He is a farmer with his wife and also serves Montana in a capacity he was most needed.
Every American that loves the USA's democracy and wants it intact needs to see this documentary.
What began heavily under "W" was the use of 501(c)4 as a means to NEVER DISCLOSE those that donate in large amounts. That can also include hiding monies from foreign entities.
Up to "W", the 501(c)4 was something basically used by groups that had a bill or some sort of cause and wanted to raise money. It was to serve as a separate entity from a 501(c)3 which is nothing more than a charitable cause. The (c)3s can take donations, but, they must not participate in political campaigns in any way.
The (c)4 was something let's say the American Cancer Society wanted to use for fundraising to bring forward permission to set up a research arm that required some-sort of congressional approval...let's say it is genetic research under "W"...and they would be involved in lobbying and educating lawmakers to provide such legal permission. That is what the (c)4s were designed to do.
BUT.
Along comes "W" and turns the damn thing on it's head and all of a sudden Koch Industries throws a bunch of money into American politics through the 501(c)4. The Kochs' end up having a bi-product of their company that has spawned individual non-profits such as "Americans for Prosperity." The extremist use of the (c)4s have become the passion of "Dark Money," including, the money that comes in from foreign entities. The organization CLAIMING a 501(c)4 can take money from any source and spend it on elections. There is no requirement for 501(c)4 organizations to disclose their donors, so the money comes in from everywhere including Russia.
The documentary "Dark Money" shows an incredible state that gets little recognition for the love of fellow man and democracy, namely Montana.
It is a documentary that is very well done and yes, John Tester is asked to participate in the discussion within the film content. He is a farmer with his wife and also serves Montana in a capacity he was most needed.
Every American that loves the USA's democracy and wants it intact needs to see this documentary.
