Politico is reporting the American Conservative Union offered to support Fed Ex in a legislative battle for a payoff of between $2,000,000 and $3,400,000. When Fed Ex refused their request the group turned around and supported the other side. This is the group with David Keene as Chairman and Grover Norquist on its board. Apparently this request is in writing and it is signed by "eight conservative leaders" among them Norquist and Keene.
No one is naive, and the idea that a political group solicited funds for its active support in a campaign is not shocking. But the idea that a group, that supposedly stands for certain principles, would turn around and support the other side when they did not receive the requested payoff is, to say the least, disturbing. This is a legislative dispute involving Fed Ex and UPS, so I guess it allowed the ACU to somewhat clandestinely shop its services around, not worrying that someone would notice by choosing sides it might be violating some of its conservstive principles. Incredibly though, they put the whole thing in writing, in their offer to Fed Ex explaining what services they could provide.
That Grover Norquist is involved in this is almost expected. No one has so associated the profit motive with politics. Everything this man is involved with comes down to dollars and cents and what's in it for him. I guess now that Jack Abramoff is no longer available, and the Democrats are in charge, he has to branch out with his fundraising endeavors.
I guess we now no what Conservatism really stands for. Whatever you do, try to get paid for it.