Nancy Pelosi’s Astroturf
We’re hearing the words “grassroots” and “astroturf” thrown about. The idea of “grassroots” is generally a lack of top-down centralized leadership. Rather, it is a community-generated and community-centered effort to change a law or policy of the government. Astroturf is fake grass, like you see in most indoor football stadiums. You might remember a type of consumer-grade green plastic carpet that maybe your folks (or you) have on your front or back porch. That is basically astroturf – synthetic, manufactured grass.
Last April, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi referred to the tea parties as “astroturf”. This was her way of dismissing the people, and pretending like they didn’t matter. In her mind, these people were faking “grassroots”.
This [tea party] initiative is funded by the high end — we call call it astroturf, it’s not really a grassroots movement. It’s astroturf by some of the wealthiest people in America
That accusation is really rich (no pun intended) coming from the Speaker of the House. Through the DCCC, she recently sent out a missive begging for donations.
The insurance industry left to its own devices has behaved shamefully, and we must act on behalf of the American people. We have lived on their playing field all this time. It’s time for the insurance companies to exist on the playing field of the American people.
With your grassroots support in the next 24 hours, that is precisely what will happen.
Someone please explain to me how support is “grassroots” when solicited by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives? The truth is, it isn’t. And they know it. But it doesn’t matter to them. I don’t take issue with Speaker Pelosi or the DCCC attempting to raise money. I take issue with what I can only describe as two-faced. On one hand, the people gathering in their communities around the country who disagree with her aren’t grassroots. But, please give her and the DCCC money because being grassroots is such a great thing.
I use this as an example to illustrate why Congress has a 10% approval rating, and why many of us hate politicians. Today, Pelosi seems to find a use for the tea parties, as if they’re just tools:
The San Francisco Democrat says the tea party coalition shares some common ground with Democrats, such as their dislike of special interests in Washington. She cited public disdain for the recent Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance that allows companies and unions to spend freely on ads that promote or target particular candidates by name. (h/t @bccohan)
Now, instead of trying to denigrate the tea parties, she is putting words in our mouths. This is what elitist politicians do. They don’t play “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”. They play “if you can’t beat ‘em, pretend to speak for them”
Look, Pelosi wants to spout off and call the tea parties “astroturf” fine. She’s deaf and wrong. But then to turn around and pretend to garner grassroots support for your cause, Madam Speaker? The American people aren’t that stupid.