One of the pre-eminent D.C. think tanks is the Brookings Institution, which has nearly half-a-billion dollars in assets and deep ties to political leaders on the left.
According to Brookings, it values the independence of its scholars and prides itself on "open-minded" inquiry. But, we found that rather than focusing on "open-minded" inquiry, Brookings seems swayed by "open-wallet" inquiry.
In many cases, Brookings doesn't resemble a think tank, but a jukebox - add a little coin and Brookings will play your tune, if the price is right.
Since 2008, Brookings amassed nearly $20 million in contracts and grants from 50 agencies - including the Obama Administration's Office of the President.
It gets worse...
Brookings Senior Fellow Jonathan Rausch shockingly argued for "honest graft" in "The Case for Corruption" published by The Atlantic in 2014.
The New York Times alleged corporate donations, conferred fellowships and cheerleading 'policy reports.'
We found many examples suggesting that Brookings is less of a think tank and more of a public affairs shop for establishment-left donors and allied government officials -- paid for by taxpayers.
Read our OpenTheBooks investigation published at Forbes, click here. |