What We're Reading - Conservative Values Infiltrate Edition

Written by: Linsey P on Feb 3, 2012 12:15 PM EST

This week’s What We’re Reading takes a tough look at how conservative politics influence and infiltrate the world around us.  Whether it’s how strict we stick to procedures, the influence one has in non-profits, to how our brain affects our political leanings it was another interesting week.  Check out some of what the DFA staff was reading this week below. 

Julielyn Gibbons, Training Director
Pick of the Week:

“A more scientific look at political ideology, this research being done by University of Nebraska-Lincoln is quite intriguing. Even more so once you compare it to the key issues & values that separate liberals and conservatives.”

Fear Factor: The science behind America’s red/blue divide
A video posted on BBC

“Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are studying liberals' and conservatives' reactions to happy or pleasant photographs and scary or sad ones in an effort to learn more about the cognitive underpinnings of political preference.

The findings? Conservatives tend to concentrate more on images considered to be negative, while liberals' eyes tend to linger on positive images, says political science professor John Hibbing.”

Jay Henderson, National Field Organizer
Pick of the Week:

“I chose this piece because DFA’s Trainer Mudcat launches a fantastic new campaign to defeat some of the most ‘odious’ Tea Party representatives. America can do better than these Congresspeople.” 

Tea Party 10’ Targeted in Multimillion Dollar Campaign by Liberal Super PAC
By Mike Mcauliff

"We're going to empower local activists to organize their friends and neighbors to lay out the truth about their representatives in the most basic terms," Arnold added. "They are anti-woman. They are anti-science. They are hypocritical, bigoted, and have said and done things that are downright crazy. They've done more to embarrass their constituents than they have to govern or work toward solutions. They are unfit for Congress, and we're going to help their constituents hold them accountable."

Kate Lesniak, Deputy Finance Director
Pick of the Week:

“This article may be from six months ago, but it still remains an incredibly important read.”

Goodbye to All That: Reflections of a GOP Operative Who Left the Cult
By Mike Lofgren

“But the crackpot outliers of two decades ago have become the vital center today: Steve King, Michele Bachman (now a leading presidential candidate as well), Paul Broun, Patrick McHenry, Virginia Foxx, Louie Gohmert, Allen West. The Congressional directory now reads like a casebook of lunacy.”

Conner Stewart, Development Associate
Pick of the Week:

“I cannot believe that the Republican party is stooping to this level.  Denying a person their first amendment rights is ridiculous.  They are a party hiding behind procedure.”

Josh Fox arrested at hearing
By Talia Buford

"Josh Fox, Direcror of Gasland and environmental activist, has been arrested after a Democratic member of the House Science Committee filed a motion to allow his crew to film their session on hydraulic fracturing. To no surprise, Republican committee members had Fox and his crew removed and arrested. It's a shame when truth and science get trumped by republican agendas."

Laurie Childers, Accountant
Pick of the Week:

“Just more insanity from the foreclosure giants Freddie Mac!”

Freddie Mac Bets Against American Homeowners
By Jesse Eisinger and Chris Arnold

“Freddie Mac, the taxpayer-owned mortgage giant, has placed multibillion-dollar bets that pay off if homeowners stay trapped in expensive mortgages with interest rates well above current rates.”

Levana Layendecker, Communications Director 
Pick of the Week: 

“I have always been suspicious of the Komen Foundation and their marketing empire, but they really showed their true colors when they they cut off funding form the nation's number one health provider for women -- Planned Parenthood. How can cutting women off from mammograms possibly be in the best interest of ending breast cancer? Interesting that Forbes magazine picked this up -- I was especially intrigued by the poll at the end where Komen was not too popular with the ladies who have jobs.”

Susan G. Komen Pink Slips Planned Parenthood -- Who What and Why?
Meghan Casserly

“One thing’s for sure: Planned Parenthood, despite this blow, seems poised to rise from the rubble with more public support—and possibly more money—than before. According to filings, Susan G. Komen contributed roughly $680,000 to just 19 of Planned Parenthood’s 85 affiliates across the country.”

Nick Passanante, Interim Political Director
Pick of the Week:

“A good analysis of what GOP Governors’ priorities will be in 2012.  Lets see if they actually change their tone.”

Second Year In, Republican Governors Moderate Tone
By Michael Cooper

“A gradually improving economy has eased some of the pressure for steep spending cuts. Many state lawmakers face re-election this year, and in many states they are showing little appetite to face the kind of uproar that greeted efforts to curb collective bargaining rights in states like Ohio and Wisconsin last year. And with a presidential campaign unfolding, some Republicans worry that overreaching at the local level, particularly in swing states, would make it harder for them to win in November.”

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