fundraising

In the first two parts of our investigative series, The Loaded Chamber, we met the faces behind the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, its shadowy fundraising for the election cycle, and the government entities that are supposed to be keeping an eye on it. In part three, we look at the foreign money flowing into the chamber--and the connections between that cash and the Chamber's support for outsourcing jobs. And is that foreign money going to pay for elections?Want to see more investigations ; like this from us?

A weak foundation cannot properly support a massive superstructure, as the leaning Tower of Pisa shows. The latest wage data show the disastrous results some of us warned about, although like the famous tower, the economy only lists badly and has not collapsed.That's from David Cay Johnston's latest piece, digging into the scary numbers on real wages in the U.S. Who's making money, and how much of it? He joins us via Skype to discuss the dirt--and the causes.The election is getting closer, and the money keeps on flowing. Today we're bringing you part two of Harry Hanbury’s investigative series for GRITtv's new investigative series, GRITtv Digs. ; In part one, we looked at the Chamber of Commerce's contributions to the campaign cycle--now, we ask, who's watching the Chamber? Why does it get away with this?Want to see more investigations

"The chamber’s increasingly aggressive role — including record spending in the midterm elections that supports Republicans more than 90 percent of the time — has made it a target of critics, including a few local chamber affiliates who fear it has become too partisan and hard-nosed in its fund-raising."So reports a headline story in the New York Times today about the Chamber of Commerce's increasingly secretive and partisan fundraising and lobbying efforts. The Chamber, once an institution that supported small and family businesses, increasingly does the bidding of a few large corporations, and in the first part of our GRITtv Digs investigation, Harry Hanbury starts to open up the Chamber's secrets for you.Want to see more investigations ; like this from us? Let us know, and send us your support!Following a recent spate of well-publicized suicides by gay teenagers, Dan Savage, Savage Love syndicated columnist, started a YouTube channel recording videos to tell LGBT youth "It gets better." The first videos included messages from Savage and his partner, and now even President Obama has recorded a message for the project.Members of the faith community here in New York, frustrated that religion is often touted as a reason for hatred of gay and lesbian people, have started recording It Gets Better messages within their congregations.

In Part Four of the Homlessness Marathon, Jeremy Alderson talks with Jeremy Rosen, Director of National Policy. The 12th Annual Homelessness Marathon originates from Pass Christian, Mississippi, just a few miles from where Hurricane Katrina came ashore.