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'''Citizens Against Government Waste''' ('''CAGW''') is [[501(c)(3)]] non-profit organization. It functions as a think-tank, 'government watchdog', and advocacy group. Its stated goal is "to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in the federal government." The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) is the lobbying arm of CAGW, organized as a section [[501(c)(4)]] organization, and therefore permitted to engage in direct lobbying activities. The organization has been accused of fronting lobbying efforts of corporations to give them the appearance of "[[grassroots]]" support.<ref name="forprice">[http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/02/Worldandnation/For_price__watchdog_w.shtml For price, watchdog will be an advocate], St. Petersburg Times, ''April 2, 2006''</ref> |
'''Citizens Against Government Waste''' ('''CAGW''') is [[501(c)(3)]] non-profit organization. It functions as a think-tank, 'government watchdog', and advocacy group for conservative causes. Its stated goal is "to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in the federal government." The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) is the lobbying arm of CAGW, organized as a section [[501(c)(4)]] organization, and therefore permitted to engage in direct lobbying activities. The organization has been accused of fronting lobbying efforts of corporations to give them the appearance of "[[grassroots]]" support.<ref name="forprice">[http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/02/Worldandnation/For_price__watchdog_w.shtml For price, watchdog will be an advocate], St. Petersburg Times, ''April 2, 2006''</ref> |
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CAGW was founded in 1984 by industrialist [[J. Peter Grace]] and syndicated columnist [[Jack Anderson]].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} The CAGW's current President is Thomas A. Schatz. |
CAGW was founded in 1984 by industrialist [[J. Peter Grace]] and syndicated columnist [[Jack Anderson]].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} The CAGW's current President is Thomas A. Schatz. |
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Revision as of 08:31, 28 April 2008
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It functions as a think-tank, 'government watchdog', and advocacy group for conservative causes. Its stated goal is "to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in the federal government." The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) is the lobbying arm of CAGW, organized as a section 501(c)(4) organization, and therefore permitted to engage in direct lobbying activities. The organization has been accused of fronting lobbying efforts of corporations to give them the appearance of "grassroots" support.[1]
CAGW was founded in 1984 by industrialist J. Peter Grace and syndicated columnist Jack Anderson.[citation needed] The CAGW's current President is Thomas A. Schatz.
Controversies
Microsoft's Antitrust Case (Litigation)
The Los Angeles Times reported that at least two dead people sent a form letter by CAGW opposing the antitrust case against Microsoft to Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. According to the Times, family members crossed out the names on the form letters and signed for them. This brought about the "Microsoft Supported by Dead People" controversy[2] from Microsoft's and CAGW's opponents and the CAGW's response that they were not tied to Microsoft or to ATL[3].
"Freeware Initiative"
CAGW put out a press release[4] opposed to what they called the "Freeware Initiative", which they claimed would have required all Massachusetts IT expenditures in fiscal 2004 and 2005 to be made on an open source format (and revised to mandate that state agencies use only open source and open standard software by January 1 2007).
Responding to the press release, the state's secretary for administration and finance, Eric Kriss, denied the existence of a 'Freeware Initiative' and said the state was simply considering ways to integrate disparate systems using open standards such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), XML (Extensible Markup Language) and Java. "I never heard that term. I never said it. We're not pursuing any kind of 'Freeware Initiative' and anyone who is saying that is making inaccurate statements," he said.[5]
CAGW and tobacco
The St. Petersburg Times reported that CAGW "got at least $245,000 from the tobacco industry", and subsequently lobbied on its behalf. Internal tobacco industry documents made available by the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement indicate that CAGW and its affiliates supported the tobacco industry in several instances. Specifically, in 2001 when an industry-sponsored bill entitled the "Youth Smoking Reduction Act" was introduced in Congress, CAGW provided a letter of support, despite the opposition of most public health organizations. [6] [7] CAGW was also contacted to by Phillip Morris to include ASSIST, a federal tobacco control program, in their Pig Book. ASSIST was considered a imminent threat to industry activities at the time. [8]
Asked about his group's tobacco work, CAGW president Tom Schatz said, "We have always welcomed contributions to support the issues we support. Many of them have to do with fighting higher taxes and more regulations."[9]
http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/kpx21c00/pdf
Other controversies
Throughout its history, CAGW has been charged with being a front group for a multitude of interests. In part, this is because CAGW has accepted donations from Phillip Morris, the Olin Foundation, the Bradley Foundation, Microsoft, Merrill-Lynch, and Exxon-Mobil.
According to the St. Petersburg Times, the Pig Book has been used to benefit corporate donors, specifically health clubs who donated to CAGW. The Pig Book listed federal grants to YMCAs who compete with those health clubs as waste. CAGW's president countered that "The Ys are there because they qualify as pork. Period."[1]
A Senate Finance Committee investigating ties between CAGW and other non-profits and Jack Abramoff in 2006 stated in a report that the non-profits: 'probably violated their tax-exempt status "by laundering payments and then disbursing funds at Mr. Abramoff's direction; taking payments in exchange for writing newspaper columns or press releases that put Mr. Abramoff's clients in a favorable light; introducing Mr. Abramoff's clients to government officials in exchange for payment; and agreeing to act as a front organization for congressional trips paid for by Mr. Abramoff's clients."'[10]
In 2007, CAGW supported a bill that would limit damages resulting from malpractice lawsuits[4]. Many consumer watchdog groups opposed the bill.[5]
References
- ^ a b For price, watchdog will be an advocate, St. Petersburg Times, April 2, 2006
- ^ Olavsrud, Thor (August 23 2001). "Microsoft Supported by Dead People". InternetNews.com. Retrieved December 19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|year=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Schatz, Thomas A. (August 23 2001). "CAGW Criticizes LA Times Story". politech. Retrieved December 19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|year=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Citizens Against Government Waste: NewsRelease_09302003b
- ^ Mass. official: "Open source" reports overstated | InfoWorld | News | 2003-10-03 | By Paul Roberts, IDG News Service
- ^ [1], Letter supporting Youth Smoking Reduction Act by CAGW
- ^ [2], Letter against Youth Smoking Reduction Act by several public health agencies
- ^ [3],Recap of ASSIST Meeting
- ^ When tobacco needed a voice, CAGW spoke up and profited, St. Petersburg Times, April 2, 2006
- ^ "Senate Report: Five Nonprofit Groups Sold Clout to Abramoff". Washington Post. October 12, 2006.
External links
- Home Page cagw.org