Puppetmasters: The Many Faces of Tom Steyer

For a selfless, liberal philanthropist, Mr. Steyer sure has a lot of economic skin in the political games he’s been playing. 

The most dangerous sort of political operative is one who wears the mask of a philanthropist but seeks only to line his pockets. Tom Steyer seems to think that the phrase, “you’ve got to spend money to make money” refers to funneling money into political entities whose policies are conducive to his business interests. 

In other words, Steyer’s apparent generosity towards environmental causes isn’t so generous after all. His seemingly limitless funding for proponents of green energy comes available only to causes which ultimately protect Steyer’s investments in solar energy and in his corporation, Fahr LLC. 

Steyer is heavily invested in solar power and other “green” energy sources. His professed political agenda—forcing every American to start using, and of course paying for—“green” energy is nothing more than a money-making scheme. And few will stand in his way. 

Using his vast fortune (mostly made from his time as a hedge fund manager), Steyer supports politicians who will go along with his scheme. During the 2014 election cycle, Steyer donated over 100 million dollars to politicians who were willing to subsidize “green” energy. Needless to say, he either already has or soon will get back every dime of his “donations” in the form of government subsidies for his energy investments. 

See how this works? Steyer will throw money to help a certain Democrat get elected to public office, but there’s a catch! In exchange for that sweet, sweet, campaign funding, the politician is now obligated to send some of OUR tax money Steyer’s way under the guise of “green energy subsidies.” 

After a few election cycles of showing the Democrats just how helpful he can be (if they’re willing to pay his price), Steyer’s influence has grown like a weed, sending shoots all the way up into Obama’s Oval Office. 

At some point early in Obama’s presidency, Steyer’s incredible donations to Obama’s campaign earned him an invitation to an intimate dinner party at the White House. The dinner party ran into the wee hours of the morning, and marked a major turning point in Steyer’s political involvement. Following this secretive little gathering, Steyer began serving as a sort of unofficial, unsanctioned energy and environmental advisor to the Obama administration. Steyer gave regular briefings to and had regular meetings with the key people behind Obama’s energy policies. 

Leaving Steyer in the shadows, rather than legitimizing his sway with an official position in Obama’s administration allowed Steyer (and his money) to fly under the radar and helped to mask his influence. 

Perhaps the most alarming part of Steyer’s tale of power is his intended future involvement. 

Steyer has just started the Fair Shake Commission on Income Inequality and Middle Class Opportunity. He has hand-picked liberal academics, liberal politicians, and labor and union leaders to run the commission, further cementing his ties to liberal politics. 

Some rather attuned commentators have interpreted this as a pandering move intended to start paving the way for Steyer’s possible upcoming run for governor of California. Will he announce? 

Perhaps the more important question is: if he does, who will stop him? 

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.