Quote of the day 11: on sockpuppets

Sockpuppets being the term used by Chris Snowden (IIRC) to describe the situation where one government-funded body lobbies the government to take a course of action, as can be seen to have been happening here: Stonewall and the problem with taxpayer-funded campaigning 

'the government practice of publicly funding campaigning organisations is deeply damaging to democracy. It distorts decision-making in favour of the interests and ideological preoccupations of a narrow political elite. It slows adjustments in the direction of policy in reaction to new evidence or circumstances. It increases political apathy among the public. And perhaps most unethically of all, taxpayers are forced to help groups with which they may seriously disagree.'

Really any org that derives most of its income from the state isn't a charity. But hen getting grants is easier thn fundraising from the public. We really need to hack back this incestous relationship

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