Posted on 07/26/2015 3:02:38 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Make no mistake about it: Religion and politics are closely intertwined. And in the Republican party, they’re practically synonyms.
Yesterday, we learned that billionaire brothers Farris and Dan Wilks were donating $15 million to Ted Cruz‘s Presidential campaign (via a super PAC), making it the largest political contribution for any candidate this cycle and among the largest ever. And they’re doing it, in large part, because it’s the best way to further their religious agenda:
“Our country was founded on the idea that our rights come from the Creator, not the government. I’m afraid we’re losing that,” Farris Wilks, a 63-year-old pastor in the small town of Cisco, said in a statement to CNN. “Unless we elect a principled conservative leader ready to stand up for our values, we’ll look back on what once was the land of opportunity and pass on a less prosperous nation to our children and grandchildren. That’s why we need Ted Cruz.”
…
Driven mostly by their opposition to abortion and their fear that their religious sect — which interprets every word of the Bible literally — is under attack, Dan and Farris Wilks have slowly become more accustomed to funding campaigns…
…
“We need a true leader in Washington,” Farris’ younger brother, Dan, 59, said in the statement. “A leader that will stand up for biblical morals…”
You can read more about the fracking billionaires here.
Their actual religious beliefs are a little unorthodox. The Wilks belong to (and preach at) the Assembly of Yahweh 7th Day in Texas, “which preaches a mix of Christianity and Judaism and holds the Bible as infallible.” (Somehow, with all their money, they haven’t spent a dime updating that website.)
In practice, though, they fit in snugly with the Religious Right. Besides pushing hard-right policies, these are brothers who have given money to Prager University — which teaches that, without the Ten Commandments, atheists would never know murder is wrong — and David Lane, a Christian activist who wants the Bible used as a textbook in every public school. Frightening stuff.
There are all sorts of reasons a Ted Cruz presidency would be a disaster (which I know you could say for just about every GOP candidate right now), but he’s got a lot of support from people who want this nation to become one large church… and they have very deep pockets.
This is what we’re up against and why we must remain vigilant and active. They may have money, but we can overcome that by getting to the polls and encouraging others to join us. I know how idealistic and naïve that sounds, but it’s the truth. Even if Cruz doesn’t get the GOP nomination, these donors will do anything they can to keep a liberal out of the White House.
I’d read these guys are big crackers, and that was the angle on the donation.
Frackers not crackers. Damn phone.
Looks like this is new contributions. That puts him in the $50-million range.
Amazing isn't it, that it takes that kind of money --- just to run for office?
And then we go to the polls and often don't know the first things about candidates for a local school board, and judges for local courts.
True. But consider how much money is spent trying to influence our choice in yogurt or breakfast cereal. i’d estimate the presidency is far more important.
You are right. It is a lot like commercial advertising.
“Ted Cruz is a stalwart on religious liberty and all things Constitutional, isn’t he? The Wilks brothers certainly think so.”
Amen brother. It’s damn rare to see private wealth try to secure liberty. It’s usually useless against the largess of state coffer money used trying to squelch it....
I sure don’t have it to give, but am glad they do.
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