We are already familiar with the power of the think tanks in this country; they essentially craft our government policies. You already know that many of the largest and most influential of these are neocon promotional tools. You also probably know that the paid consulting firms in DC rely on much information put forth by these tanks, and/or are related to them (the money chain). The major media
treats them as the bible of policy and opinion making. Drill down, and you will find they are equally pervasive on the state level.
This is the silent neocon coup, and probably the most important piece that needs to be battled nationally if we hope to implement lasting change. But I digress.
What I truly didn't realize - perhaps I'm naive - is that these policy machines and consultants are the same ones the Democrats have often come to rely on. This is essentially asking the enemy's General to craft your winning war strategy.
More below
The red flag that finally clicked the pieces together for me was
this WaPo interview with Sen. Russ Feingold:
"The strategy that I have been trying to vet with a lot of different groups, the Heritage Foundation and others, is that we should require a health care guarantee for all Americans -snip-."
This casual comment speaks volumes. The Heritage Foundation - whose Mandate For Leadership guidelines have brought us the last six wonderful years (not to mention those beneficial Reagan & Bush Sr admins) - is being approached by a prominent Democrat to write/promote his policy.
Say what?
Are the neocon tanks so powerful that a Democrat must try to sell them a healthcare policy if he hopes to see it in the House? Am I overreacting?
Lest you think I exaggerate the right wing influence, or the degree with which the Dem's rely on them, take a peek at this, and this - a look at the real leanings of the two most relied upon "liberal" tanks of the Dem party. Want more? Google 'top consulting firms for Democrats' and dig in.
What are the Democrats thinking?
Tools for further tracking & research can be found at Media Transparency, Center for Public Integrity and CJR, to name a few.