The Guardian: Las Vegas activists try to 'level the field' as casino moguls pump up Super Pacs

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/14/las-vegas-casino-super-pac-election?newsfeed=true

In the age of the Super Pacs, wealthy gaming tycoons are free to invest millions in Mitt Romney. But a dedicated group is mobilising on the ground to try and counter the money machine

Rory Carroll in Las Vegas
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 14 October 2012 12.55 EDT


Cheryl Lawrence canvassing in western Las Vegas. Photograph: Rory Carroll for the Guardian

When Karl Marx predicted class struggle between capital and labour he probably did not envisage Cheryl Lawrence, a casino pastry chef and single mother, cruising into battle down the Las Vegas Freeway reciting a quote from the Disney film Finding Nemo: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."

Nor, it is fair to assume, did the German philosopher envisage a group of casino-owner billionaires using their fortunes and clout to flood airwaves with political advertisements to tilt an election their way.

Yet here in Nevada, 129 years after Marx's death, capital and labour are locked in a test of strength which could help determine the presidential election.

On one side the Culinary Union, representing Lawrence and 55,000 other casino cooks, bell hops and chambermaids, is investing its formidable organizational power in a get-out-the-vote drive for President Barack Obama.

FULL story at link.