Fix the Debt is the most hypocritical corporate PR campaign in decades, an ambitious attempt to convince the country that another cataclysmic economic crisis is around the corner and that urgent action is needed. Its strategy is pure Astroturf: assemble power players in business and government under an activist banner, then take the message outside the Beltway and give it the appearance of grassroots activism by manufacturing an emergency to infuse a sense of imminent crisis.

This is a cross-post from Mary Bottari of the Center for Media and Democracy’s PR Watch. Bottari reports on yesterday’s protest at a shareholders’ meeting of the Scott Walker-connected M&I Bank of Wisconsin. Be sure to check out the video from the Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA) on the demonstration here.