The Coors Connection: How Coors Family Philanthropy Undermines Democratic Pluralism

by Russ Bellant

Journalist Russ Bellant examines the influential but little-known role of the Coors beer family in American politics. Through their philanthropic donations, Joseph Coors and other family members have... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0896084167
• ISBN13: 9780896084162
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: South End Press
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.4" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

One Step Over the Line

America has not yet envisioned a system that confers the privilege of funneling dollars into nonprofits that are not meant to be socially or politically destructive, and still justify nonprofit status. Sadly, it is a system where any family or organization is taken at face value for their charitable and phianthropic mission regardless of whether it is to build up America or take it down. Not deliberating upon the topic prevents it from ever becoming a reality, and therefore, this family is not the first to do irreparable harm to American society in the name of goodness, nor will it be the last. The nature of free speech in society is that intentions cannot be restrained. But is it also necessary to allow them to be characterized as philanthropy and thereby accumulate their funding arsenals tax-free while Americans pay tax dollars to sort through the destruction for salvage?

The Far Right influence in America

Contrary to what some of the other reviewers assert, this isn't just a book about people who support the Republicans. It's about an interlocking web of Far Right individuals and organisations including Christian Reconstructionists who advocate turning the USA into a theocracy and stoning gays and adulterers to death. One person quoted in this book, Gary North, says: "The so-called underdeveloped societies are underdeveloped because they are socialist, demonist and cursed. The Bible tells us that the citizens of the Third World ought to feel guilty, to fall on their knees and repent from their Godless, rebellious socialist ways. They should feel guilty because they are guilty, both individually and corporately." Is this truly a Christian stance? Full marks to Russ Bellant for exposing such Far Right bigotry.

No amount of corporate PR can overcome these truths

Russ Bellant has produced an important piece of research that documents the far right ideology and activities of the Coors family -- and how they back them up with big bucks. All this is of historic consequence. This short and densely written book belongs on the booshelf of anyone who aspires to political literacy in America. It should be a standard reference for anyone writing about American politics, government and religion.

"Conservative politics" = the antithesis of democracy

This book exposes Coors for the anti-labor, racist, right-wing sludge that it is. Institutionalized "conservative politics" (i.e. corporate-class serving fascism) takes a well needed slam.