The American Conservative Union (ACU), which proudly boasts of being "the nation's oldest conservative lobbying organization," proudly demanded $2M+ from FedEx in return for endorsing its position in a legislative dispute with UPS, stating, "We stand with FedEx in opposition to this legislation."

But when FedEx refused the generous offer, the ACU proudly stopped standing with FedEx and even proudly reprimanded FedEx in a letter to CEO Fred Smith: "After looking into FedExʼs claims, we realized that FedEx was not telling the truth...we are asking you to stop using false and disingenuous labels to make your point."

Many small-minded people with radical socialist agendas will no doubt take this opportunity to attack the proud lobbyists at ACU for hypocrisy and avarice. But people of intelligence and discernment know better.

First, the money was needed for the ACU's proud lobbying efforts: email, direct mail, and telelobbying services to stop the terrible bill that the ACU had previously stood so proudly against. How can they be expected to influence Congress on behalf of corporate favorites without massive amounts of cash?

Second, it's a free market. If Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods can be paid to make endorsements, why not the ACU? Rational people must reject the double standard under which black athletes get free passes to endorse anything and everything while white conservative lobbyists are expected to hew to some kind of so-called ideology.

The ACU should stop cowering and weakly asserting that its position hasn't changed. Be proud, American Conservative Union. Sell your endorsement to the highest bidder. I want to look across the consumer landscape and see a sea of ACU products: sneakers, salad dressings, handbags, and bolo ties, all proudly supporting the ACU logo. You go, conservatives!

PS But I do call on the ACU to reject the last line of that letter to Mr. Smith. They know that the one I'm taking about, "We believe FedEx should take down the deceitful website and stop misleading the public and legislators. To paraphrase the words of Ronald Reagan, 'Mr. Smith, tear down this website.'"

Tear down this website? Come on guys, you've got to get better copywriters if you want to win Nike.

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Cross posted as usual at dagblog.com. You can subscribe to all my posts via RSS feed or email.