Bill Wilson (Americans for Limited Government)
Encyclopedia
Bill Wilson is the head of the Virginia
-based Americans for Limited Government
, an advocacy group financed in part by New York
real estate
magnate Howard Rich
. The group promotes smaller government and has been identified as "libertarian," "conservative," "anti-government," and "non-partisan." Wilson is a non-partisan Washington
ideological activist who has worked for research and advocacy groups. He has criticized both Republicans
and Democrats
.
. He studied political science
at the University of Delaware
. He worked for Ronald Reagan
in the 1976 Delaware
primary. He worked with the National Right to Work Committee. He spent several years traveling around the United States
by car. He's been a Boy Scout
leader.
real estate
magnate Howard Rich
who funded a series of organizations including U.S. Term Limits
, Parents in Charge and Americans for Limited Government. These organizations have been labeled as libertarian
and conservative
and antigovernment
but Wilson shuns labels and sees his basic goal of "rolling back the government." He was quoted as saying "I was raised to believe and have always believed that small government is best."
Americans for Limited Government is based in Virginia
although another source identifies it as being based in Chicago. The group has weekly planning meetings. In September 2009, it had 18 staffers. It has a $4 million budget. It hunts for political vulnerabilities of opposition leaders by researching them. For example, his organization sees Barack Obama
as advocating a greater role for government because of administration policies regarding health care
, cap and trade, and as a result, Americans for Limited Government
studies these choices. Wilson told a reporter: "Obama has so heightened the debate over the proper role of government that it’s inspired a lot of people to get involved." The organization supports tax ballot initiatives in states such as Colorado
. It supports property rights and is opposed to the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court
decision. In 2006, eleven states allowed voters a chance to override the Supreme Court's Kelo ruling with such tools as ballot initiatives. It tries to exert pressure on congresspersons to vote for or against pending legislation.
In 2007, with help from his children, Wilson worked to build the organization's Internet presence. Right-leaning activists have been using methods developed by left-leaning bloggers pioneered by groups such as MoveOn.org and DailyKos.com. Wilson's advocacy group sends a daily barrage of 90,000 emails via the websites "GetLiberty.org" and "NetRightNation.com." One email blast targeted congressman Republican Glenn Nye
for his political views. Democratic congressman Tom Perriello
was the subject of another email barrage. Americans for Limited Government has criticized "the president, his programs, his aides, his allies and his nominees without restraint." The emails provide ammunition for conservative blogs, radio hosts, pundits, Congressional aides and small-town newspaper columnists. The attacks can be extreme; for example, one email described Obama as "the biggest liar of all." But Wilson explained the attacks have to be extreme to cut through the "political cacophony"; he said "I’m going to make it in a provocative manner, because that’s how it attracts attention." The group hired a cartoonist
to caricature opponents.
comment. NBC denied the allegation; one reporter concluded the comment was probably a hoax
. But the back-and-forth of emails generated controversy which was picked up by a prominent magazine and by a prominent blog.
Americans for Limited Government has been criticized by some on the basis that it "cloaks the identity and number of financial supporters". Advocacy groups are tax exempt and are not required to reveal donors. In 2006, a reporter wrote: "The intricate financial web is the source of nearly all the money used to promote Proposition 90, an initiative on the November ballot aimed in part at curbing the power of government to seize private property
." On the other hand, there is evidence that organization spokespersons have identified Howard Rich
as the primary donor. In the aftermath of the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court
decision, activists have advocated for private property rights in states. Howard Rich
has been quoted as saying: "It's about one of the core freedoms that our country was built on ... People work very hard to own a small business, a home or property. The government is there to protect the right to that property, not to take it away."
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
-based Americans for Limited Government
Americans for Limited Government
Americans for Limited Government describes itself as a non-partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free-market reforms, private property rights and core American liberties...
, an advocacy group financed in part by New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
magnate Howard Rich
Howard Rich
Howard S. Rich, also Howie Rich is a Manhattan-based real estate developer who is notable for funding libertarian oriented political initiatives such as term limits, school choice, parental rights regarding education, limited government and property rights. He has published essays advocating these...
. The group promotes smaller government and has been identified as "libertarian," "conservative," "anti-government," and "non-partisan." Wilson is a non-partisan Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
ideological activist who has worked for research and advocacy groups. He has criticized both Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Early career
Wilson grew up in a military family in rural MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. He studied political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
. He worked for Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
in the 1976 Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
primary. He worked with the National Right to Work Committee. He spent several years traveling around the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by car. He's been a Boy Scout
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
leader.
Activism
In 1992, Wilson met New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
magnate Howard Rich
Howard Rich
Howard S. Rich, also Howie Rich is a Manhattan-based real estate developer who is notable for funding libertarian oriented political initiatives such as term limits, school choice, parental rights regarding education, limited government and property rights. He has published essays advocating these...
who funded a series of organizations including U.S. Term Limits
U.S. Term Limits
U.S. Term Limits is a non-profit organization that lobbies for term limits for elected officials at every level of government in the United States. Among other activities, USTL supports ballot initiatives in numerous states. The organization was established in 1992, and is one of several led by...
, Parents in Charge and Americans for Limited Government. These organizations have been labeled as libertarian
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
and conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
and antigovernment
Anti-statism
Anti-statism is a term describing opposition to state intervention into personal, social, and economic affairs. Anti-statist views may reject the state completely as well as rulership in general , they may wish to reduce the size and scope of the state to a minimum , or they may advocate a...
but Wilson shuns labels and sees his basic goal of "rolling back the government." He was quoted as saying "I was raised to believe and have always believed that small government is best."
Americans for Limited Government is based in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
although another source identifies it as being based in Chicago. The group has weekly planning meetings. In September 2009, it had 18 staffers. It has a $4 million budget. It hunts for political vulnerabilities of opposition leaders by researching them. For example, his organization sees Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
as advocating a greater role for government because of administration policies regarding health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
, cap and trade, and as a result, Americans for Limited Government
Americans for Limited Government
Americans for Limited Government describes itself as a non-partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free-market reforms, private property rights and core American liberties...
studies these choices. Wilson told a reporter: "Obama has so heightened the debate over the proper role of government that it’s inspired a lot of people to get involved." The organization supports tax ballot initiatives in states such as Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. It supports property rights and is opposed to the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
decision. In 2006, eleven states allowed voters a chance to override the Supreme Court's Kelo ruling with such tools as ballot initiatives. It tries to exert pressure on congresspersons to vote for or against pending legislation.
In 2007, with help from his children, Wilson worked to build the organization's Internet presence. Right-leaning activists have been using methods developed by left-leaning bloggers pioneered by groups such as MoveOn.org and DailyKos.com. Wilson's advocacy group sends a daily barrage of 90,000 emails via the websites "GetLiberty.org" and "NetRightNation.com." One email blast targeted congressman Republican Glenn Nye
Glenn Nye
Glenn Carlyle Nye III is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
for his political views. Democratic congressman Tom Perriello
Tom Perriello
Thomas Stuart Price "Tom" Perriello is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes much of Southside Virginia and stretches north to Charlottesville....
was the subject of another email barrage. Americans for Limited Government has criticized "the president, his programs, his aides, his allies and his nominees without restraint." The emails provide ammunition for conservative blogs, radio hosts, pundits, Congressional aides and small-town newspaper columnists. The attacks can be extreme; for example, one email described Obama as "the biggest liar of all." But Wilson explained the attacks have to be extreme to cut through the "political cacophony"; he said "I’m going to make it in a provocative manner, because that’s how it attracts attention." The group hired a cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
to caricature opponents.
Controversy and criticism
In September 2009, there was controversy about an alleged reaction to an email from Americans for Limited Government from a producer of NBC regarding an alleged anti-SemiticAnti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
comment. NBC denied the allegation; one reporter concluded the comment was probably a hoax
Hoax
A hoax is a deliberately fabricated falsehood made to masquerade as truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, or rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences or April Fools' Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.-Definition:The British...
. But the back-and-forth of emails generated controversy which was picked up by a prominent magazine and by a prominent blog.
Americans for Limited Government has been criticized by some on the basis that it "cloaks the identity and number of financial supporters". Advocacy groups are tax exempt and are not required to reveal donors. In 2006, a reporter wrote: "The intricate financial web is the source of nearly all the money used to promote Proposition 90, an initiative on the November ballot aimed in part at curbing the power of government to seize private property
Private property
Private property is the right of persons and firms to obtain, own, control, employ, dispose of, and bequeath land, capital, and other forms of property. Private property is distinguishable from public property, which refers to assets owned by a state, community or government rather than by...
." On the other hand, there is evidence that organization spokespersons have identified Howard Rich
Howard Rich
Howard S. Rich, also Howie Rich is a Manhattan-based real estate developer who is notable for funding libertarian oriented political initiatives such as term limits, school choice, parental rights regarding education, limited government and property rights. He has published essays advocating these...
as the primary donor. In the aftermath of the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
decision, activists have advocated for private property rights in states. Howard Rich
Howard Rich
Howard S. Rich, also Howie Rich is a Manhattan-based real estate developer who is notable for funding libertarian oriented political initiatives such as term limits, school choice, parental rights regarding education, limited government and property rights. He has published essays advocating these...
has been quoted as saying: "It's about one of the core freedoms that our country was built on ... People work very hard to own a small business, a home or property. The government is there to protect the right to that property, not to take it away."