No PAC money for Rasoul
Column by Sam Rasoul
With the help of concerned Virginians, I am able to campaign for Congress, as a Democrat, to represent the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia (www.SAM2008.com). Fourteen members of Congress have said they do not take any money from PACs. And I have decided to join them.
First, let me explain what PAC means: A PAC is defined as a group that raises and spends limited “hard” money contributions for the specific purpose of electing or defeating candidates. Organizations that raise soft money for issue advocacy may also set up a PAC. A PAC can contribute $5,000 to a candidate per election, and up to $15,000 a year to a national political party. PACs may receive up to $5,000 each from individuals, other PACs and party committees per year.
Let me say that giving money to political campaigns may be good. If you make that choice for yourself, rather than a PAC, I very much hope you will decide to contribute to my campaign. So what is the problem?
Well, the problem is that money from PACs has become a pervasive, disruptive and even corrosive force in Washington. Excess is the problem. There are many things in the life of individuals, organizations and communities that are harmless, perhaps even wholesome, in and of themselves. But there is nothing that can not be carried to excess and/or misused.
And that is where we are with PAC contributions today because they are the method used by groups with unwholesome intentions.
Every PAC contribution comes with assurances it is intended for better government. And some of our finest legislators, from both parties, are among the happy recipients. But we now have a long experience of decisions taken in Washington that prove to be absurd and/or probably the result of corruption. Thus, I believe that it will be best if I am free to represent you in Congress after consultation primarily with you, my Sixth District voters.
Of course, there will be input from other sources, but not from those who routinely pay and then want to play.
Sam Rasoul is a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination to run for the Sixth Congressional District seat in the United States Congress in 2008.
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Thanks Sam! I respect your decision to stay away from the PAC mess. I’ve contributed as a voter and a citizen and will do so again. It’s time to stand up for honesty and integrity in government and politics. You can be honest and WIN!
Brent
I am happy and proud to support Sam Rasoul because of his decision not to accept PAC money. His belief in truth and fairness is refreshing in this age of cynicism and expedience.
Anyone who believes that PAC money does not influence and corrupt the donor and recipient, and damages our system of government, is either utterly naive or delusional. PAC money corrupts!
Choose your candidates wisely; see who is financing their campaign. If it’s PAC money, that’s who the candidate will be representing most of all – not you!
Thanks for your strong stand on not accepting PAC money.
There are alternatives to candidates taking PAC and Special Interest Money.
THREE CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES LAUNCH NATIONWIDE OUTREACH WEBSITE
On July 4, 1776, fifty-six brave Americans signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia declaring their independence from the chains of servitude to the King. In keeping with this “Spirit of ’76″ three congressional candidates, from two different states and from both major parties, have declared their independence from the chains of special interest money, political action committees, big private donors and lobbyists.
Vying for the opportunity to serve in the 111th Congress, the three candidates have launched a new nationwide website (www.Spirit1776.com) that will revolutionize politics and help grassroots candidates reach out to American voters and raise funds directly from the people.
The three candidates, two republicans and one democrat, are sending a clear message to Washington that candidates serious about making changes and wanting to restore the people’s trust in the government need to put the people in their district first by refusing to take money from any special interest groups, political
action committees, big private donors and lobbyists.
Spirit1776.com is a nonpartisan website and its current members are actively seeking other congressional candidates from around the country, from any party, who will also agree not to accept contributions from influential special interest and PAC groups, as well as from power donors.
To be listed on this new national website, congressional candidates must agree to limit the amount of money they will accept from individuals to $76 (in the Spirit of ’76). They must also agree to limit the solicitation of contributions to within the geographical boundaries of their respective congressional districts and to the internet.
The three candidates, Morris Guller (D) from NY-20CD, Paul Swiderski (R) from PA-10CD, and John Wallace (R) from NY-20CD, believe that the American people are tired of the influence big money has on federal elected officials and have set out to prove that federal elections can be won based solely on the support of individual American citizens, as was intended by our forefathers.
For more information, please visit http://www.spirit1776.com.