Dystopia Now The Astroturf Agenda with Dean Preston
Sep 5, 2025
San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston joins the discussion, known for his advocacy on tenant's rights and opposition to tech billionaires. He delves into how these tech-rich elites manipulate local politics through deceitful campaigns. Preston highlights the clash between progressive policies and dark money's influence on housing issues. He discusses challenges facing low-income communities and critiques zoning laws that favor market-driven solutions. The conversation reveals the ongoing struggle for genuine progressive values amid the tech-driven political landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Tech's Shift Was An Unmasking
- Tech figures in San Francisco didn't suddenly turn right; they became more openly dystopian and racist post-2016.
- Preston argues many held those views earlier but only recently felt free to express them publicly.
The Big Transfer Tax Story
- Preston says his 2020 transfer tax (Prop I) doubled taxes on $10M+ property sales to fund social housing.
- He reports the tax has already raised about half a billion dollars and funded rent relief and acquisitions.
Astroturf Masks Big-Money Influence
- Tech billionaires use astroturf groups with friendly names to conceal dark money and reshape local politics.
- Mainstream local media often normalizes these groups instead of investigating their donor ties.
