While the mainstream media, mostly owned by six corporations, reports on politics as a horse race or personality show, David Sirota follows the money, without fear or favor.
Here is his news:
** October 6, 2015
Friends:
http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital
It’s been a while since I last emailed, but I wanted to pass on some exciting news in my world – I’ve just been named editor-in-chief of International Business Times’ new blog/website POLITICAL CAPITAL (http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital) . Our team will be using the new site to intensify our investigative money-in-politics coverage in advance of the 2016 election. I hope you will check it out – and pass this email on to anyone else you think might be interested.
Find Political Capital by clicking here (http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital)
Follow Political Capital’s Twitter feed here (https://twitter.com/Poli_Capital) (it is @Poli_Capital (https://twitter.com/Poli_Capital) )
Read the press release about the project here (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-business-times-launches-political-capital-300153990.html)
As IBT Global Editor in Chief Peter S. Goodman put it: “Political Capital is obsessed with exposing the full stories behind the political headlines, with special focus on the moneyed interests seeking to influence policy.”
In the first 24 hours since launch, we’ve already broken big stories on Chris Christie’s email private address (http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/chris-christie-had-two-private-email-accounts-nj-governor-blocks-release-any) , Bernie Sanders’ GOP alliances
(http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/bernie-sanders-gop-ally-opposing-export-import-bank-2125378) , Jeb Bush’s old firm being under investigation (http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/sec-probe-jeb-bushs-old-firm-may-have-intensified-report-2125557?rel=most_read3) , and the economist targeted by Elizabeth Warren (http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/economist-targeted-elizabeth-warren-had-long-history-corporate-sponsored-reports) . I hope you’ll check out Political Capital, follow its Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/Poli_Capital) — and, of course, send me any ideas you may have for our ongoing coverage.
Rock the boat,
David
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Needs to add a section devoted to education. It is not there yet.
David Sirota introduced me to education reform before I had even heard of it, way back when he was on the radio. I used to think he was crazy. He was right all along.
I read Sirota regularly, it’s good to see him finally get a good slot at IBT.
However, his story on the Export/Import bank left me confused. I know it’s not related to education, but perhaps the intelligent and learned folks here can set me straight on it.
Sirota gives Sanders’ history as a consistent opponent of the Ex/Im bank, and notes that Obama himself was a foe, as a senator he referred to the bank as “little more than a fund for corporate welfare.”
However, he notes: The politics surrounding the bank abruptly shifted, however, when Obama won the White House.
After a receiving campaign contributions from various companies that benefit from Ex-Im Bank support, Obama backed legislation to reauthorize its charter.
So, Obama is now pro Ex/Im bank, since his campaign sponsors profit from it, and the same with Hillary Clinton.
For some reason, this corruption on their parts is presented by Sirota as a problem for Sanders:
Sanders’ rival, Hillary Clinton — whose family foundation and campaigns have received support from major Ex-Im recipients such as Boeing and General Electric — has said she is “a very strong supporter of the Ex-Im Bank” and has publicly derided bank opponents as driven by “ideology” rather than results. That criticism — and the portrayal of the bank as a vital job creator — could end up aimed back at Sanders as the Democratic primary intensifies.
Can someone please explain why corruption and cognitive capture on the part of those who profit from the Export/Import bank is a problem for Sanders, and not for the previous opponents of the bank who have been bought? It seems like the real problem is the propaganda on behalf of the bank by those who should be (and once were) opposed to it.
I have been a longtime reader of Sirota’s and am happy to see him finally get a position in a respectable publication.
I am confused by his story about Bernie Sanders and the Export/Import bank. Perhaps the community here can help resolve my confusion.
Bernie Sanders’ GOP alliances
(http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/bernie-sanders-gop-ally-opposing-export-import-bank-2125378)
Sirota’s story gives Sen. Sanders’ history as a consistent opponent of the Ex/Im Bank, and even quotes then Sen. Obama as saying that it is “little more than a fund for corporate welfare.”
But then he writes of how Obama became president with donations from corporations that profited from the Ex/Im bank’s policies, and how this has made Obama a supporter of the bank.
He also writes that: Sanders’ rival, Hillary Clinton — whose family foundation and campaigns have received support from major Ex-Im recipients such as Boeing and General Electric — has said she is “a very strong supporter of the Ex-Im Bank” and has publicly derided bank opponents as driven by “ideology” rather than results.
Strangely, this example of corruption, this cognitive capture of politicians by corporations, is presented as a problem for Sanders, rather than a difficulty for those whose morals have been bought up by the banks’ big-name clients. This makes little sense to me. Certainly with what we know of Mr. Sirota, this is a surprising conclusion for him to reach?
I’m in agreement with you, here, willf. One of the things I, personally, like about Bernie is that he tells it as he sees it, regardless of political affiliations.
For me, this article is another strong endorsement for Bernie and another damning one against Hillary and Obama.
From the way I’m reading it (always an important caveat), Obama went back on his word regarding Ex/Im Bank, Hillary feels no need to lie about it, and Bernie (from the gitgo) has called it for what it is and isn’t backing down, regardless of what other Democrats are saying and/or doing.
I have no problem whatsoever with cross party alliances in politics. It’s the way things should work so long as what’s being agreed upon is in the best interest of the American people.
Here in Ohio, true media is found in Plunderbund and Columbus on the Record. With Dispatch journalists being fired and the rest under control of big business, blogs and independents are the only way to get a true picture of Ohio’s decline under Kasich. It is not what is reported by corporate media, it is always what isn’t.
The journalistic work of Doug Livingston, Akron Beacon Journal, and Josh Swigart and Laura Bischoff, Dayton Daily News, is commendable.
I apologize for the double post.
Sirota’s work in exposing economists, via Warren’s focus, is essential to our democracy.
With hope, many more economists will be exposed as the shills they are.