John Birch, Sugar Daddy

I just found out that Robert Welch, founder of the John Birch Society, was also the inventor of the Sugar Daddy caramel lollipop. And Junior Mints, too, damn! I love those. Welch got rich by coming up with new ways to sell sugar to children, which, ironically, has probably done more to undermine America than any Communist infiltration.

Another original Society member, Fred Koch, was the founder of Koch Industries. His sons, David and Charles, continue his work through their funding of the Tea Party, Heritage Foundation, ALEC, and a wide range of other right-wing causes.

Also news to me: The JBS, as it is affectionately called, is headquartered in or near Appleton, Wisconsin. Along with Colorado Springs, Colorado (home to Focus on the Family), it's one of those towns that isn't helped by its association with the political group it houses.

Isn't it odd that when the JBS was first in business, at the height of the Cold War, it was roundly criticized and clearly left outside polite political culture, but now much of its bonkers worldview has become mainstream Republican talking points?

I guess having a bunch of financial sugar daddies made all the difference in keeping the Bircher creed alive and well.