Archive for September, 2009

Recently, we were made aware of a little known, little used “loophole” in the Federal Campaign Finance Laws. In summary, a U.S. House incumbent can declare a run for a different Federal seat (U.S. Senate), raise campaign funds for that seat and at the same time, raise money for their incumbent seat. But here is where the “gaming” of the system comes into play.

Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules sets maximum donation amounts on a candidates campaign. However, when this loophole is used, that candidate can literally, “double dip”. Let’s say Rep. Brown approaches a Union PAC (Political Action Committee) and they make a $5,000 donation to her House campaign. They can ALSO make the same contribution to her Senate “Exploratory” Committee for a grand total of $10,000. This would exceed the limits imposed on a candidate, but is allowed by the “loophole” in the laws.

Now, here is the “rub” of the loophole- she has so many days prior to the Primary election date to declare which office she is seeking for election. At that time, she can then COMBINE the funds into one massive election/re-election campaign fund.

Realistic Chances for Senate Election

When you look at how Rep. Corrine Brown would fair in a Senate race, something painfully obvious happens. In a recent poll, she would only receive 24% of the vote in a Senate election against a Republican. To add insult to injury, she would only receive 9% of the vote in a Primary election against Kendall Meek, one of the Democratic challengers. MOST voters view Ms. Brown as “unfavorable”or “unknown”in another poll.

The real issue is not whether Rep. Brown is running for Senate, but rather doing what Rep. Corrine Brown has been doing for years- using the system to do whatever benefits Corrine Brown! Many I speak with tell us that there is no way Corrine Brown will make a Senate run, but is using this loophole to make sure she has “double money” to defend our challenge to her seat.

Our Dilemma in Meeting the Challenge

Our campaign is facing a massive obstacle in raising the kind of money Rep. Corrine Brown will raise, and use, by “gaming” the system. There are NO provisions for a challenger to “double dip” donations to offset her antics in claiming a U.S. Senate run. We are forced to comply with the FEC campaign finance laws as Rep. Corrine Brown uses them to her advantage.

It doesn’t have to be that way at all when you and I begin working together. There are countless Americans who know about the corruption, the deceit, and the antics of Rep. Corrine Brown. If you don’t, simply “Google” her name and you can discover a treasure trove of information. Many feel she is an embarrassment to the State of Florida, yet making a challenge to her seat has been difficult to do.

I believe that YOU and I can do more than “make a challenge”. I believe that working together WE CAN AND WILL WIN this seat for the people of this District. It doesn’t take a few people doing a lot to win, but it takes a lot of people willing to do a little to make Rep. Corrine Brown’s retirement party a memorable one.

So how “little” do you have to do? Make a small, $25 donation the the Yost for Congress campaign. Then encourage others you know to do the same. You, and 10 others who will tell 10 others that will do the same means one thing- Rep. Corrine Brown will not be able to raise enough money to win. If you are able to contribute more, then let me thank you in advance for your belief in America and our vision for the future.

I ask you to consider what the alternatives are. First, with healthcare bills threatening to raise your taxes, Cap and Trade bringing higher energy costs, Card Check forcing unionization of the workplace with thug tactics, and one can only imagine what is next on the Liberal agenda that will bring “equal poverty” to America, you WILL have even less than what you have now. If you are like everyone else, you find that unacceptable and not what the American dream is all about.

Our goal is simple- to bring WE THE PEOPLE back to Washington with accountability to the American people we represent, respect to the Office of the U.S. House unlike Rep. Corrine Brown has done, results by taking Bold action to bring about less government and prosperity to all Americans, and oversight to the countless trillions of dollars our government spends without regard to the taxpayer.

Make your voice heard by making a contribution today and then “tell others” what you did and why. “Let’s Take it Back”…in 2010 and put the American PEOPLE first, not the Special Interest groups like ACORN at the head of the class. Let’s work together and show Rep. Corrine Brown that her days of “gaming the system” are going to end. It only take a lot of people willing to do a little to make that difference.

At noon today, as promised, Big Government and Big Hollywood websites released audio from a conference call that included taxpayer funded groups to press forward to promote President Obama’s agenda(s) for healthcare, environment, and other initiatives of the Administration. From the posting:

On August 10th, the National Endowment for the Arts, the White House Office of Public Engagement, and the Corporation for National and Community Service hosted a conference call with a handpicked arts group. This arts group played a key role in Obama’s arts effort during his election campaign, as declared by the organizers of the call, and many on the call played a role in the now famous Obama Hope poster.

In this series of audio conversation, we hear Buffy Wicks, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Engagement make this series of comments to the participants of the conference call:

• “I just first of all want to thank everyone for being on the call and just a deep deep appreciation for all the work you all put into the campaign for the 2+ years we all worked together.”
• “We won.”
• “I’m actually in the White House and working towards furthering this agenda, this very aggressive agenda.”
• “We’re going to come at you with some specific asks here.”
• “I hope you guys are ready.”

She even questions the “legal aspect” of what she can and can’t say as there might appear to be conflicts of interest in the discussion.

Let me answer that specifically- using taxpayers funds, through the NEA, to further the Administrations agenda is NOT the chartered purpose of the NEA or any organizations the NEA funds with that money.

Using the White House, Serve.gov, or any other government office directly or indirectly associated with this Administration is nothing but total impropriety in pushing forth the agenda. It is a blatant disregard of the legislative process where members of Congress are supposed to bring the debate forward. To “ask” the arts community, again funded by taxpayers, to use their creative, marketing, and other skills to drive the debate in a positive direction for this President pushes the envelope beyond the pale. Especially if it means using the NEA purse strings to do so.

Michael “Mike” Yost, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd Congressional District of Florida has this to say:

“I am totally outraged that this administration can use the purse strings of the government through the NEA and other government funded groups to pressure people to fall in line with the Presidents agenda. If this isn’t corruption in government, then it sure must be a very close second.”

After fully reading the article, listening to the audio segments and seeing the chain of events that followed, Yost also had this to say:

“This is but another example of why we must reduce the size of our government. The influence peddling by our government, using taxpayers money to do so, is further indication that everyone has their hand out and are bought and paid for by government. I guess with a $3.5 trillion dollar budget, you can get a lot of influence with just a little pressure from the man up top if it keeps the money coming in.”

This is the reason we must elect principled and dedicated people to office. As Mike believes, “Let’s Take it Back”…in 2010 is all about WE THE PEOPLE taking back the reins of government and bring real ideas that will work to make America great again.

With your generosity and support, we can elect Mike to be your next Congressman from Florida. Help Mike bring the change to Washington that will end this government corruption and bring prosperity to this nation. Make your contribution today.

This morning, Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government/Big Hollywood website released a preliminary expose’ on the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) using a conference call to, apparently, do a bit of arm twisting to promote the Health Care reforms of the President. Also on board this call was the lead official of the Serve.gov, Buffy Wicks. Serve.gov has been shown to be nothing more than a portal for “job and service” opportunities with ACORN and other leftist front groups as well.

At noon, we have been promised even more damning evidence of what happened. As reported by various news sources, and seemingly not front page news, there has been over $2 million of NEA money paid out to 16 of the 21 groups who are now on board with promoting the Presidents initiatives.

Michael “Mike” Yost released this statement this morning:

“From all appearances, this Administration has been using every resource available, including government funded agencies, to promote his health care agenda. Using taxpayer funded groups, who have no such authority in their charters to promote political positions, is a violation of the public trust. If using this type of arm twisting, by threats of de-funding anyone who disagrees or fails to get “on board” with the President is shown to be the case, then in my opinion, shows this President will stoop to no level to achieve his agenda.”

Yost further calls this method of pressing issues nothing more than an other example of Chicago style thuggery at its best:

“If this is what we can expect from our government we have in place today, then we the American people are in for a very long ride towards a government that isn’t “FOR the people” of this nation. If what is going to be released is what I think it is going to be, then this will no doubt lead directly to the White House. If Congress fails in it’s duties to get to the bottom of this ordeal, then the American people should take this directly to their Representatives and call for investigations.”

Yost further added that:

“If Republican leadership is complicit in not calling for investigations, then they will deserve what they get in 2010. Democrats as well should be up in arms over this, but you can bet that few will even come out of hiding to address this issue. I would bet that Rep. Corrine Brown doesn’t have a clue as to what is happening, and many artists here in the Jacksonville and Orlando areas are funded directly by the NEA.”

After the release of all the information, Mr. Yost will issue further statements.

Please support Michael “Mike” Yost as he tries to bring transparency and leadership to Washington. With you help, we can have real Representation in Congress that will not tolerate this type of activity by this Administration. Contribute today and help elect Michael “Mike” Yost to Congress in 2010.