Fake grass-roots orgnaization to help pass local option

Astroturf, anyone? Aug 20
Written by: William Lutz 8/20/2009 9:32 AM

According to today's Denton Record-Chronicle, the Denton City Council is going to renew its push for the local option tax increase bill. And here's the kicker -- the city council looks like its going to help pay to create some sort of fake grass-roots group to make it appear like there are real people who support this. Here's my question: if this initiative really had support from the masses, than why do they have to spend tax dollars hiring lobbyists to push it?

If the voters really wanted their taxes hiked, they would call their legislators and ask for higher taxes. Then, the lawmakers would make passing such a plan a priority, because uncoordinated constiutent phone calls really do make a difference with most legislators I know. So far, the phones aren't ringing off the hook, which is why lobbyists have to be brought in to create an illusion of real support. If average citizens wanted this bill, the government-funded lobbyists and fake "grassroots" groups wouldn't be necessary.

From William Lutz at the Lone Star Report