Thread by @SamBerger_DC

Why do extremist conservative voices oppose pro-democracy reforms? And does a little-noticed memo attacking Democrat's pro-democracy bill, HR 1, rip off the mask of the modern conservative movement's mixture of plutocracy and divisive rhetoric? THREAD 👇
thinkprogress.org/conservative-g…

HR 1 is a massive pro-democracy bill that passed the House w/ support from every Democrat. It would expand voting, limit the influence of wealthy donors and corporations in our political system, strengthen ethics requirements, and confront gerrymandering. /2

The bill has met opposition from exactly the types of groups you might expect: corporate interests, DC lobbyists, and wealthy donors. /3
rollcall.com/news/congress/…

But in a memo from the Conservative Action Project opposing the bill, which was signed by Roy Moore and Tom DeLay (yes, THAT Roy Moore and THAT Tom DeLay) there were some signatories who on their face have little involvement w/ democracy efforts... /4
conservativeactionproject.com/conservatives-…

Tony Perkins heads up the Family Research Council, designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-LGBT hate group. /5
splcenter.org/fighting-hate/…

Brigitte Gabriel, founder of ACT for America, has said a "practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen of the United States." /6
splcenter.org/fighting-hate/…

Rob Chambers, VP of American Family Association, a group whose director of issue analysis said that "Homosexuality gave us Adolph Hitler." /7
splcenter.org/fighting-hate/…

What has these groups so concerned about HR 1? Maybe they realize that in a more democratic, fair system, their hateful rhetoric won't have much of a place. And maybe they recognize that they exist b/c of the rigged system, and a threat to that system is a threat to them. /8

The conservative movement focuses on rigging the system for the wealthy and powerful. You see it in their tax bill and corporate regulatory giveaways. But helping the rich and hurting everyone else isn't popular. /9
marketwatch.com/story/trump-se…

That's where these groups come in. To distract from policies people don't like, they try to sow social division (see Nixon's Southern strategy). What we're seeing today is that strategy on steroids, fed by Fox News and the broader conservative ecosystem. /10

The result: a bill about fixing our democracy engendering widespread opposition from divisive, extremist groups whose claimed agenda has nothing to do with these issues. In many ways, opposition to HR 1 shines a bright light on deep problems in the conservative movement. /END