Dear GOP: Watch Your AstroTurf, We're On to You

Dear Republicans: It's awesome that you've caught up to this whole newfangled Internet craze, but what's with the fixation on that late-60s invention that we all know and have skinned our knees on? That's right: AstroTurf. AstroTurfing is the plastic sensation that's sweeping the GOP nation, and, trust us, it's getting pretty old, not to mention transparent.

Dissent is essential to democracy, and freedom of speech and the right to assemble are vital and not reserved for one party or the other. The problem is this: you're doing it wrong.

How to do it right: A few guys clustered in New England got their acts together and rallied their neighbors for a cause they believed in. They made a country. They made change. It was organic. It was natural. It was grassroots.

No, no, don't run -- we know Obama said that word a lot when he was campaigning. Don't get scared. We're not talking about him, we're talking about the Sons of Liberty. They even had strong opinions about taxes! Republicans, don't shy away! Stay with us! Calling yourselves teabaggers is a good first step for you.

We understand that you want attention. We understand that you need to stay in the limelight and look like the do-stuff guys if you want to take back any seats in 2010. The problem, however, is that you are the pay-to-do-stuff guys right now. Actually, you're just paying. You're not actually doing anything. It's really a dirty business, this contrived fake protest thing.

While Democrats have been arguing amongst themselves about health care reform, a concept the GOP appears to have completely abandoned except to remind us not to kill babies or grandmas, you've been sending fake letters opposing the climate change bill to members of Congress ("you" here being lobbyists hired by the big-money coal industry). You're ("you" is oil companies and oil industry lobbyists here, keep up!) giving employees the afternoon off and busing them out to protests, protests of the bill that would mean a cleaner environment but maybe -- oh no! -- a smaller bonus for them. You're (this one's just the general "you" of the GOP, psych!!) taking a counter-conference of right wing bloggers and calling it a protest, when it is, in fact, a petty group of me-too mommy bloggers trying to get a slice of the hipster lefty political bloggers' media coverage.

In other words, you're trying to throw the game by throwing money. Remember the 1919 Chicago White Sox? It's sort of like that, in that you're eventually going to lose. In your case, probably not while wearing stirrups.

See, the problem with AstroTurfing is that it buys media coverage, but not public opinion. The people who are showing up to your fake protests have some kind of financial stake in being there, whether it's because they work for Big Oil and were bused there, or if it's because they are paid lobbyists, hired guns, and it's their job to be there. No one new is being won over by a crazy waving a sign and saying that they're going to forcibly change the climate of the House.

And, just like public opinion, media coverage does not take the place of actual legislation. Climate change is the focus of the current AstroTurfing craze (ironic, right? Since AstroTurf is fake grass?), and while the House vote was close, the bill still passed. It appears to be set to pass in the Senate as well. Anyone who takes more than a cursory look at Congress news and these so-called protests can see: climate change is where the money is, not the lawmaking. Congress is wrapped up in the health care debate, why not muck that up? That's right, because the people paying you to read their scripts are more interested in the evergreen (see what we did there?) issue of the earth and its natural resources, an issue that will long outlast our bodies and their health.

So, congratulations: A reporter covered your fake protest. Too bad they, like the rest of us, have figured out by now just how synthetic and plastic it really is, and you can't pay them off to say otherwise. Sooner or later, you'll start to understand that the majority of us vote with our heart, not with our wallets. Oh, and that when you're running on AstroTurf, it hurts really, really bad when you fall.

Originally posted at Air America Media.

 

Follow Kase Wickman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kaseyawesome

Comments

[BaliBelly]

To the Grand Obstructionist Party: true grassroot movements also stem from having an alternative solution to the problem being addressed. "Just Say No", is a simplistic response to serious issues that we face, such as drug abuse, teeenage pregnancies and health care. Please develop a workable alternative solution and perhaps the we can have a serious, civil discourse.

[RevBookburn]

This was a classic. Even in a culture where many people watch Fox "News," most Americans see right through the jokers of AstroTurf. It's time to point out the obvious. Most Americans want the reforms promised during the campaign. The teabaggers, brownshirts, and GOP fringe party are small numbers and mostly twisted losers. The rhetoric behind them started with the industry itself and professional liars.

It is time for every policy-maker to understand that their political futures depend on health care reform with public option passing. Let the losers whine and invent more whacked theories.

[EthylRosenberg]

Thank you Ms. Wickman, for the musing pokes with the fact stick at the soft white underbelly of the Right Wing Steam machine.

[Niet]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

Republicans at this point still have a say in any decisions because Obama is still attempting to salvage some semblance of bipartisanship and civility. But you right wingers are showing your true colors as backwater hicks completely incapable of civil discourse or compromise, quick to make threats and resort to violence when you don't get your whiny, petulant little way. His patience will not last much longer and when it runs out, the liberal agenda will reign throughout this country despite your childish tantrums and hissy fits. I personally look forward to that day.

[noneIn2008]

Maybe, just maybe, you are out of touch with the disenfranchised persons you see venting anger. I drive back and forth in the USA. Stop at a truck stop and hear the background conversations. There is anger. Deep anger. Stop in for the early bird special and listen to the seniors talking. There is fear and anger. These conversations are very different than those I hear sitting in an upscale restaurant in Chicago, NY or Washington. Don't make too many excuses and stick your head in the sand too long. There is real anger out there that can not just be glossed over.

[Pem3]

I agree with you listen to the people on your buses and around your malls and and schools, people are talking. They have real fears across the board and of all age groups are talking to each other. What I have noticed more and more is how much louder people are speaking to one another, not yelling just talking louder than before. To also see the punk rocker talking with a grandpa, while talking to a gay couple, and a mother of two, on what is going to happen and their base fears are the same.

[power1]

Astroturf or not, it is swaying public opinion as support for the Democrat's healthcare plans are fading. Time for Liberals to call their Union and ACORN thugs to straighten these protestors out.

[GreatNews27]

When we see these poor creatures chanting 'The sky is green, the sky is green', then we know that it does not matter if they are exposed or not. We simply cannot fight the Fox Lie Machine or the ignorance of the American public. I'm afraid we're just going to have to give up and let them have their universal health care(it should be quite easy to convince them that that is what they are upset about).

[feedupwithgovernment]

David Axelrod, founder of ASK is the master of "Astroturf" and an advisor to the Obama Administration. The Democrats are actually doing the very thing they accuse Independents, Republicans, and yes, also Centrist Democratics protesting at Town Halls of doing. Only, the majority of us attending Town Halls in our Communities are doing so on our own accord. We are not organized by the likes of ASK, Acorn or Community Origanizers.org.; as the Democrats are. Keep up the accusations, it only makes you look more ignorant. Those of us with an education see through you and the "Axelrods" who are constantly attempting to divert attention from your badly legislated political objectives by naming calling and pointing fingers at those that disagree with you We are way to smart. And oh yes, We Are On To You.

[Policon]

Please don't lecture conservatives about grassroots. Two words: George Soros

[dynwit]

After the GOP successfully stops healthcare reform, about how long will it take the public to realize they've been duped? 20 minutes? 10? Are the Dems ready to capitalize on that or will they allow the Repubs to once again spin that as Obama's fault?

[BobLablah]

Oh, to be young again. Fortunately I'm mature enough to know that being able to organize poeople and get them to rally around your cause is one of the things that makes our country great. I have no problem with the SEIU bussing people into events to show support for their ideas, I just don't understand why so many Dems want to take that exact same right away from Repubs. I know the Dems invented it, but can't they share the concept with their fellow citizens? Check out Sal Alinsky if you want to see how Chicago politics really works.

[kps888]

Did you actually read this post? At no point did Ms. Wickman even try to make the case that only Democrats should be able to protest. The point of the article is that she suspects the recent protests are manufactured by corporate interests, and not actual grassroots work. Here is a direct quote:

"Dissent is essential to democracy, and freedom of speech and the right to assemble are vital and not reserved for one party or the other. The problem is this: you're doing it wrong. "

See? My 3rd grade reading teacher would have given you a low grade and made you read it over and over until you got it right.

[BobLablah]

Did you actually read my comment? I'm saying it's fine in our country for anyone or any organization to rally troops to their cause for any reason. The author thinks otherwise. Her whole thesis that "it's wrong" if it's not "grass roots" is wrong. What exactly are "grass roots" anyway? I don't understand why Dems think protests organized by Acorn or unions are "grass roots" when in reality those groups organize for the exact same reason as businesses - money and power. I didn't even address the ridiculous assertion that people are being paid to show up at town halls. Nonsense talking points are not worth debating.

[BlackJAC]

Why do you hate America?

[BobLablah]

I don't think she hates America, BlackJac, I think she's just young. Fortunately we all grow out of it.