Local Campaign Contributions; What Can You Buy?

Recently, I was doing a Google search to find an Independence (Missouri) business address, and as it turns out, the first link on my search led me to a list of Independence businesses and residents who had made campaign donations. I was distressed to note that my mayor, and a proclaimed Democrat, Ron Stewart had donated to the campaign of Senator Kit Bond; you know him, probably, as one of the 9 senators who voted against the McCain Anti-Torture bill. This, of course, took me aback, as well as made me a little nauseated! Last week, I went to Jeff City to spend a couple hours ranting to my state representative about a variety of issues and I mentioned what I had found about my mayor. He was not at all surprised and told me that Mr. Stewart was probably looking for federal funds for development of the Little Blue Valley area in Independence, which apparently happened, to the tune of over $30 million bucks! Now, while I am certainly not opposed to development in our town, I am reminded of the Abramoff debacle and what it means to be a Republican politician: You want help? Slap me some green and it’s a done deal! Aren't our senators and representatives SUPPOSED to be working for us? Isn't that what they are ALREADY paid to do?

Now, the point of my sharing this information with you is that I suggest that each of you get on the 'net and do some research. You will be amazed by what you can find. See who the CEO's of your local businesses are supporting. I have put two links below to help you get started. Since I found this information inadvertently, imagine what I can do when I put my mind to it.

Helpful Links:

www.city-data.com

Choose your state then city and scroll down about halfway to the link titled
"Political Contributions by Individuals in "

or
http://www.campaignmoney.com/

also, from Proud2blib http://www.fundrace.org/neighbors.php

Happy Hunting! :dem:

that Carl Peterson (Chiefs' GM) gave to Bush?
However, the majority of my neighbors gave to Dems.

I've looked into some of this stuff before, using OpenSecrets.org. I remember one thing very clearly: don't shop at Sutherland's (Sutherland Lumber)!

Various members of the Sutherland family have already given $6000 to Jim Talent this election cycle. In 2004, they gave over $20,000 to the likes of Bush, Bond, Adam Taff, Kris Kobach, John Thune (SD nut who beat Daschle), Tom Coburn (crazy OK senator), and Pete Coors (extremely conservative CO candidate). In 2002, they gave thousands to Adam Taff and Jim Talent, among others. And I could keep going back . . .

We need to put our money where our mouth is and STOP supporting ANY of these businesses that support this corrupt administration and all their lackys! :evilfrown:

Monday, November 01, 2004
Coalition of the Lying
We got an e-mail from someone who received an automated call purporting to be from the Mainstream Coalition.

Only it wasn't from the real Mainstream Coalition.

The call was actually from conservative activist Dwight Sutherland, Jr., who joined with fellow right-wingers in a junior high-esque act to register the name "Mainstream Coalition" after the actual group let its registration lapse.

Our e-mailer reports Sutherland is making calls claiming to be from the Coalition, a group that promotes religious tolerance, and claiming that Dennis Moore is running advertisements that criticize Kris Kobach's religious beliefs.

Of course, Sutherland isn't with any group that promotes religious tolerance or moderate values, and no such Moore ad exists.

But that doesn't stop Sutherland for decrying bigotry and hatred and calling upon people to "say no" to Moore, who of course isn't the candidate who has connections to questionable groups that serve as the public face for a movement which has both such traits festering just below the surface.


UPDATE 2:15 p.m. -- The Mainstream Coalition has sent out an e-mail to its supporters denouncing Sutherland's tactics and providing an easy way to fight back:

"The best we can do to counter this blatant attack on our integrity is to spread the news to as many as we can. Use your email list today to forward this message and ask others to do the same.

"Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to call Sutherland (we hate to call him Mr.) at his home and office to register your disappointment. Home: 913-384-1418 and Office: 913-782-2350."

http://kriswatch.blogspot.com/2004/11/coalition-of-lying.html

their ecards.

Hey, they're free to us, but they cost Hallmark (bandwidth, etc.). :evilgrin:

http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category2%7C10001%7C10051%7C-102001%7C-2;-102001%7Cproducts%7CE-Cards

But they sure have been great to and for KC. I hate to boycott them but I was sickened by Adele Hall's $12,500 contribution to the RNC.