The discussions on ‘election integrity’ are often viewed as policy-related disputes concerning the operation of elections or mere moves made by parties for political gains. Yet, a closer look at the financing behind such movements reveals something more sinister. It displays the propensity of certain far-right entities who fail to realize their policy objectives via democratic mechanisms and who subsequently target democracy itself.
When considering the perspective of the majority of American voters, it is evident that they endorse principles such as abortion rights, equal treatment for LGBTQ+ people, and marriage equality. This is a stark contrast to the views of specific wealthy stakeholders keen on reversing these rights. Realizing that their unpopular agenda cannot succeed in the democratic process, they turn to changing the democratic rules in an attempt to attain dominion over the majority, even without their support.
There’s no clearer demonstration of this than the funding network named ‘Ziklag’, as revealed by an investigation from ProPublica and Documented. This network styles itself as an exclusive community of prosperous families requiring a minimum net worth of $25 million for membership and notoriously veils itself in secrecy.
While the name Ziklag might not immediately ring bells, its financial supporters are no strangers. These are the power players from Hobby Lobby, the founders of Jockey clothing, and heirs to the Uihlein shipping supply wealth. Thanks to their backing, Ziklag has been able to lay down plans for how Christians should seize control over various facets of public life ranging from government, science, technology, to business, education, family, and the church—summed as the ‘Seven Mountains’ doctrine.
To accomplish this, Ziklag uses the funds collected to support campaigns aimed at reshaping and conquering each sphere. One such campaign, the anti-transgender ballot measures, has been given significant backing, signaling the group’s staunch stance against transgender acceptance.
Adding to this overarching endeavor, the group aims at dismantling the current education system. The backers of the Christian right financing these campaigns to counteract LGBTQ+ rights and public education may not be a shocking revelation, but their strategic plan yields another unexpected outcome—the allocation of a substantial portion of their budget to promote election conspiracy theories and curb voting freedom.
Dubbed as ‘Operation Checkmate’, it is this initiative that reveals the true colors of Ziklag. The group has pledged $800,000 support to an infamous mass voter challenge software program, Eagle AI, used by activists in several states, including Georgia and Florida. The software primarily generates frail objections concerning voter eligibility.
Further to this commitment, a recently formed group known as ‘Citizen AG’ has expressed their intent to lodge lawsuits against counties that deny the validity of the voter challenges generated by the Eagle AI. The strategic scheme of Citizen AG, aptly titled ‘Operation Checkmate,’ aligns perfectly with Ziklag’s global vision.
Ziklag’s initial funding was directed towards Mitchell’s Election Integrity Network, which fueled events that congregated election conspiracy enthusiasts from Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida into strong coalitions. It also extended its financial support to the American Legislative Exchange Council, otherwise known as ALEC, to assist in orchestrating ‘election integrity’ messaging for GOP state lawmakers in 2022.
It becomes disturbingly apparent that Ziklag’s foremost aspiration of redirecting the direction of American culture and monopolizing government in order to advance their under-supported objectives, such as imposing restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, abolishing abortion, and wrecking public schools. This aspiration seepingly marks their pursuit for mass voter challenges, and reinforces the undemocratic character of the plan.
It’s designed to embed minority viewpoints via manipulative procedures, assured that despite their scarcity in public support, they can still maintain power over legislative outcomes. This is an evident element of a broader scheme conceived to propagate minority rule, when lacking popular backing.
Highlighting the scheme, following the Supreme Court decision overruling Roe v. Wade, voters across the country, stretching both red and blue states, rallied behind ballot measures to preserve abortion rights. However, a billionaire aligned with Christian nationalists covertly financed a strategy to heighten the criteria for passing citizen ballot initiatives, requiring nearly impossible supermajority to pass, in retaliation.
Therefore, we must rightfully decipher this push for ‘election integrity’ as a barefaced effort by these wealthy factions to impose minority rule through distortion and manipulation of the electoral processes. The audacity of their attempt to redefine democracy and its guiding principles is a testament to the extent these entities would go to exert control and hold onto power.
While we should always strive to protect democracy, the actions of groups like Ziklag serve as a sobering reminder that it can become susceptible to manipulation by those seeking to impose their own agendas. This makes it all the more important that there is transparency and accountability in our democratic processes.
As we continue navigating these complex issues, it’s paramount to steadfastly guard our democratic principles. Nevertheless, the role of vigilant watchdogs exposing such shady operations provides an essential line of defense against those who seek to cloud the purity of democracy for selfish motives.
Ziklag: The Secret Society Exploiting Democracy with Deep Pockets appeared first on Real News Now.
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