Ramhurst Organized Quote by Jane Mayer
““Ramhurst organized deceptively homegrown-looking “smokers’ rights” protests against proposed regulations and taxes on tobacco. In 1994 alone, R. J. Reynolds funneled $2.6 million to Ramhurst to deploy operatives who mobilized what they called “partisans” to stage protests against the Clinton health-care proposal, which would have imposed a stiff tax on cigarette sales. Anti-health-care rallies that year echoed with cries of “Go back to Russia!” If””
About This Quote
Source Article: “The Tobacco Industry’s Influence on Health Care,” The New Yorker, 1995
Corporate groups can disguise lobbying as grassroots activism to sway policy, often using misleading tactics.
In simple terms: Big money can masquerade as citizen protest to block regulation.
Key Takeaway
Scrutinize the true sponsors of “grassroots” movements.
Themes
politics
corporate influence
activism
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
investigative
explanatory
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- public health campaigns
- consumer advocacy
Key Concepts
media manipulation
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- Who funds the movements you support?
- What evidence reveals hidden sponsors?
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