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This is not an article, as you might think, about how the GOP is a pyramid scheme (though it is), or how the trickle down economics they espouse is a pyramid scheme, though it is, but the strange history of how Republican party wins are tied up with infamous Multi Level Marketing (read pyramid schemes) companies.
Amway is one of the most notorious MLM companies in the World. Not the country, the world. They had to pay 58 million to Canada to resolve charges of customs fraud. An Amway CEO was arrested in India. The U.S. sadly, has not done as well when it comes to policing Amway. In 1975 they were investigated by the FTC, but not found to be a pyramid scheme, though they were found to be lying to their distributors and price fixing. Importantly, Amway was wounded but still breathing. And like the Wire said ‘when you come at the King you best not miss.’
In the 90’s Amway became a political juggernaut. In the final weeks of the 1994 election, the so-called Republican revolution, they received a record 2.5 million dollar donation from Amway, the at that time largest political donation in American politics. In addition in 1995 Amway donated 1.3 million to the San Diego Convention and Visitor’s Bureau so they would play Republican infomercials. They also preach to their ‘employees’ (read cult like followers) that they must vote Republican.
