Mike Barnhill
Ashland
Dear Editor:
What’s so evil about George Soros that Republicans attempt to paint him as a satanic demon for contributing to Democrats? There’s always been something highly suspicious about Republicans vilifying the Jewish investment banker and philanthropist as some evil mastermind behind diabolical international political conspiracies. Sure, Soros is a major financial donor to Democratic politicians, but since when have Republicans ever been opposed to billionaires making enormous contributions to political campaigns? After all, Republicans were enthusiastic supporters of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizen’s United decision that unleashed unlimited campaign donations from billionaires allowing a tiny group of ultra-wealthy individuals to gain overwhelming influence over American politics.
Soros’ $39.4 million contributions rank him at the bottom of the Top 10 Democratic donors. While Republicans have casino owner Sheldon Adelson donating $287.5 million to their own party. Followed by Illinois industrialist Richard Uihlein contributions of $59.7 million. A more controversial twosome, the Koch brothers, contributed over 25 years a total of $18.3 million that ranks only as 59th.
Soros has been accused of “too liberal” causes. A primary focus of Soros’ “Open Society Foundation” is criminal reform to reduce mass incarcerations. Creating more effective and less expensive alternatives to prison may have been a liberal cause, but, as prison populations and their financial and human costs have soared, it’s become a bipartisan issue.
Believe this when you see it: Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and crown prince of the White House, is charged with preparing a bipartisan criminal justice reform agenda for the Trump administration. His first obstacle may be convincing the president to stop leading his “hate rallies” in chants of “lock’em up!” aimed at Soros and prominent Democrats for engaging in ... democracy.