George Soros Group Raises the Stakes in Battle with US Neo-Cons (a fool and his money..)

Financial Times of London ^ | 1/12/04 | James Harding

[gopwinsin04]

A group of billionaire philanthropists are to donate tens of millions more dollars to delevelop progressive political ideas in the US to counter the conservative ascdenancy.

George Soros, who made his fortune in the hedge fund industry, Herb and Marion Sandler, the California couple who own a multi billion dollar savings and loan business, and Peter Lewis the chairman of an Ohio insurance company, donated more than $63 million dollars in the 2004 election cycle to organizations seeking to defeat President George W. Bush.

At a meeting in San Francisco last month, the left leaning billionaires agreed to commit an even larger sum over a longer period to build institutions that foster progressive ideas and people.

Far from being disillusioned by the defeat of Sen. John Kerry, the billionaires have resolved to invest further in the intellectual future of the left.

Their committment to provide new money comes amid criticism of the efforts of high profile donors such as Mr. Soros to sway US politics.

The intention is to provide the left with organizations in Washington that match the heft of right wing think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation and American Enterprise Institute. At a state level, the aim is to build a 'deeper progressive bench.'

[gopwinsin04]

What a maroon!

[Brett66]

the intellectual future of the left

snicker.......

[gopwinsin04]

The Financial Times also says that Hollywood playboy Steven Bing is also in on this enterprise, that should really help their cause!

[Congressman Billybob]

There is an up side to this story. These billionaires who are geopolitical morons wasted $63 million trying to elect John Kerry. If they want to waste more of their money trying to "create progressive institutions," that's fine. Since they have a tin ear for facts and truth in politics, this effort will be just as big a failure as the last one.

Congressman Billybob

Click for latest, "Lessons from Waves of Disaster"

[Tanniker Smith]

There is no faster way to go broke than to have a rising share in a declining market. Soros' share of the liberal ideology is rising.

TS

[thoughtomator]

There must be incredible opportunities in bilking this guy out of his money... how about it FReepers, let's set up some fake left-wing protest groups and apply for a few million!

[TexasTaysor]

"commit an even larger sum over a longer period to build institutions that foster progressive ideas and people."

The entire educational system isn't enough?

Well, let them spend themselves dry, suits me just fine...and with the help of God we will still defeat them.

[gopwinsin04]

Im all for them emptying their bank accounts for Lurch! Less terrible movies and TV shows for them to produce..

[sgtbono2002]

If Soros and these other buttheads are putting their money into the left they expect to get something out of it. When Soros interferes in a governments finances he always comes out richer. You can bet they plan on making more money than they invest. They are international Pirates and thieves.

[esqreb2]

Does anyone know the name of the savings and loan the CA billionaires own? I want to make sure I'm not using it!

[Chi-townChief]

The PIGressive agenda never seems to lack financing; ideas are another matter.

[popdonnelly]

Ever wonder why these people who made billions under capitalism want to advance socialism? If they're really committed to sharing the wealth, and not merely their own egos (I greatly suspect they're committed to the latter), why don't they simply give up some of their billions?

[EQAndyBuzz]

"A group of billionaire philanthropists are to donate tens of millions more dollars to delevelop progressive political ideas in the US to counter the conservative ascdenancy."

Wonder how the media would respond to:

A group of billionaire philanthropists are to donate tens of millions more dollars to delevelop DEMOCRATIC political ideas in the COMMUNIST countries to counter the ascdenancy of anti democratic ideology.

[Cold Heart]

Soros is backing UN gun confiscation program. Soros wants to do a bypass of the US Constitution by international treaty.

[dighton]

Golden West Financial Corporation.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Egomaniacs and political power go hand in hand.

[international american]

"They are international Pirates and thieves."

And nothing else!

[NeilGus]

This will fail for the same reason big government programs fail: it is being forced from the top down.

Conservatives groups have ideas and search out money to fund getting these ideas out. It is the ideas that drives the process not the money. Soros has the money and is searching for the ideas.

Many good private programs provide goods and services to communities (housing the homeless, feeding the poor, etc). They succeed because they have people with a passion to serve. They provide good services and seek out money for support. If they do a poor job, they cannot get the money.

Government gives out the money to solve these same problems. But those who participate are involved for the money, not because they have a passion to service.

[conservativecorner]

George just doesn't understand that ideas beat money every time when a free country faces a crisis. The War on Terrorism is a great example of this fact. They outspent Republicans, but the electorate wanted concrete answers to questions on terrorism and American Foreign Policy. In the end the electorate rejected their ideas on the question of terrorism and foreign policy. They also lost on the domestic issues we face as a nation, so please George and friends continue to fund your causes.

[KMC1]

Consider it wealth distribution between the confused...