Why I’m Trying to Raise the Bar – My Agenda to Restore Trust
Third in a series. Last summer, I was visiting with a wily old farmer at a county fair. After some fun banter, he said something like, “Oh, don’t worry, son; I’ll know who to vote for. I’ll just follow the money.”
The wisdom of his Will Rogers-like remark, and the focus people place on the role of money in politics, has really stuck with me. As I travel this cross-section of America, from farms and manufacturing towns to rich suburbs, it is clear to me that people have lost trust in our political system and in most institutions around them. From banks and insurance companies, to employers and Wall Street, Americans are losing trust in the pillars of our society.
Like most folks, I’m tired of the political money game and I’m concerned about what it’s doing to our democratic process. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with a candidate raising lots of money, as long as they don’t mistake that with what’s important to our state and our country. But tying success to fundraising seems like the only measure that some people want to see.
Well, I get it. I’m listening, I’m learning, and I’m acting. I’m trying to walk the talk, to set an example in my campaign, and to raise the bar. How?
- After accepting donations from Political Action Committees (PACs) in my 2002 run against Democrat Julia Carson, I decided to forego those donations in this race, and until reforms come about. Why not accept special interest group donations? Because, I want to send a clear signal to voters that every one of them will have just as much or more priority in my office as the lobbyist who writes big donation checks. And, frankly, I want it required that donor-members of these groups living within a District decide which candidate they will support — not their lobbyists in DC.
- I have strengthened my call for Term Limits and gone further by committing to live by them. I’ve argued for an end to the cynical practice of “gerrymandering” district boundaries to protect incumbents of both parties, and I’ve called for an end to vested pension plans and perks for members of Congress.
- I’ve worked very hard to make sure that almost all of our campaign funds are raised in small donations from individuals who live here. I spend a lot of time all over the District, face to face, and as a result, we’ve done OK on the funding front, having raised over $200,000 the old fashioned way.
Now, I’ve begun to cast the spotlight on my opponents. I’m following the farmer’s advice and inviting others to do the same. When all the campaign promises, TV ads and junk mail are set aside, if our primary voters really want to learn about each candidate they should simply “follow the money” at http://www.fec.gov or on my site under “Follow the Money.”
The mortgage crisis took down Wall Street, and tens of millions of Americans watched their hard-earned savings disappear. Then we saw Washington throw trillions of tax dollars at AIG, big banks and car companies – and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The corruption that surrounded the passage of so-called health care reform in recent months only deepens resentment and confirms the fears of many people.
If you want to begin changing the culture in Washington, I ask for your support by standing up and standing with me, by donating $5.00 to take back the 5th District, and begin taking back our Country — one district at a time.
Why do Special Interest Groups, Lawyers, and Labor Unions want Luke Messer elected?
Second in a series. From day one, lobbyist-lawyer, former party staffer and former state Representative Luke Messer has made fundraising his core mission, priority and area of emphasis.
Mr. Messer seems to believe that Hoosiers in Swayzee, Greenfield, Cicero and Peru will be much more likely to vote for him if they know his vision: Raise more, and more, and more money from big business executives and special interest groups in Indianapolis and use it to purchase television ads and junk mail. (I don’t accept contributions from special interest groups)
If this District was looking for a professional fundraiser, Messer would be our man! But, with all due respect, I believe this district, this party and this nation desperately needs something very different-leaders, statesmen, and representatives who have a life outside politics. The average contribution of Messer’s donors is $674!!
If that’s not enough reason to scrutinize Messer, one of his most recent contributions was from the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), a special interest labor union, representing local and state government employees.
Now, I ask you, why on earth would a big government labor union that contributes almost exclusively to the Democratic Party support Luke Messer?
Below you can see what our federal workforce looks like today. I’m not sure federal and state employees need much more help from Messer or anyone else!
Why Do Folks in Puerto Rico, California, or Arizona Want Burton Re-Elected?
First in a series. I want to take you through our current representatives’ donation information for the current election cycle.
In a district that stretches as far north as Miami, Wabash, and Huntington counties and as far South as Shelby County, you’d think that the majority of Dan Burton’s money would come from the good people living in the district. Wouldn’t you?
We’ll, I’d hope so, but after combing through his FEC filings, what we actually found was quite alarming. Since January of 2009, nearly 85% of Dan’s money is coming not only from outside of the district, but outside the entire state of Indiana. As you read through his donor list you see, CA, CA, FL, AZ, CA, FL, CA, MD, TX, AZ, FL, CT, Puerto Rico, DE, CT, CA, NY, NY… I think you get the drift.
So the question I ask to you is, why do folks in CA and AZ have such a huge stake in Dan Burton’s reelection? Is Dan running for Congress in Shelbyville, Converse, Tipton and Cicero? Or, is he running in Sacramento, Flagstaff…?
If this bothers you as much as it does me, I’m going to ask you to do two things. First, would you take a second to write a letter to the editor of your local paper pointing out that we need to have a representative in Congress who is supported by Hoosiers – not by out-of-state money? And that it’s time for all of us to elect someone with the best interests of Indiana at heart, not just someone who collects money from every political action committee that throws open its wallet.If you need help with finding the contact info, just contact my office and we’d be glad to help.
Second, would you make a donation from within the district to a candidate that actually wants to represent the people he’s elected by?
As you may or may not be aware, all of this information is publically available at FEC.gov, as it is a federal law to report all donations over $250.
