Information received and understood. My only concern now is that with all of the think tanks out there why- a. be chosen, or b. accept the offer to the CFR?
Great question and I’ll do my best to answer it. First of all, I don’t consider the CFR to be just a think tank. Members of the CFR, like the Trilateral Commission, the Bilderbergers and others, use their “studies” (most of which are contrived) in an attempt to influence policy and further their aims.
As to the essence of your questions:
a) Why be chosen? These organizations attempt to recruit and influence people with various viewpoints and positions. Sometimes, they’re successful in “turning” them and sometimes not.
b) Why accept? I was asked this question a number of times during my government service, particularly while I was detailed to the Bush White House. My reply was always something to the effect of, “I have a rare opportunity to influence policy and do so from a conservative and constitutional perspective. If everyone in this room believed that more and bigger government were the solution to everything that ails us, we’d be in a helluva lot worse shape than we are.” I positively influenced a few policy decisions and failed on some others, but I had my chance to have a voice in an administration that was actually receptive to dissenting opinions. I know a few people who have had the same experience with the CFR.
Cheers!