Kanjorski Fundraiser $5000 Per Sponsor- Excessive Culture

At Politicalpartytime.or, "Documenting The Political Party Circuit" the political fundraising invitation for Paul Kanjorski appears on its website. It clearly demonstrates the high price of "Pay To Play" politics representing the hallmark of Kanjorski campaigns who is in a position to influence legislation for the financial services industry.

According to Linkedin.com Jen Ustynoski is a finance assistant at Bonner Group Inc. and an associate at Orion Group Inc. where it states that the Orion Group is part of the "financial services industry".

This article from the Sunlight Foundation sums up the problem with this type of fundraising.

One year after the biggest economic collapse since the Great Depression, Congress is still debating new financial regulations to protect consumers and prevent risk-taking in the financial sector. The House Committee on Financial Services is currently undertaking the important first step of writing, amending and voting on some of the pieces of the long-proposed financial regulatory reform.

Twenty-seven committee members have so far received over one-quarter of their contributions from the finance, insurance and real estate (FIRE) sector.

Pennsylvania Rep. Paul Kanjorski is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises and is tasked with crafting many of the initial bills for the proposed financial regulatory reform. While undertaking this important work Kanjorski has had enough time to raise large sums for his reelection. Of the $397,215 that Kanjorski has raised in 2009, 54% of it comes from the FIRE sector. For his career, Kanjorski received 44% of his contributions from the FIRE sector. Of all Financial Services Committee members, only Kanjorski and Bachus receive over 40% of their career campaign contributions from the FIRE sector.

Kanjorski has stated that he will be watchful of the influence the finance and insurance companies hold in the committee, “”We must ensure that special interests do not weaken particular solutions to the point of becoming toothless.” Earlier this year, however, Kanjorski held a fundraiser that was thrown by lobbyists for financial services organizations. Kanjorski refused to release a list of attendees to the fundraiser.

The Huffington Post wrote an article about Kanjorski's refusal to release the list.

Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, raised $164,500 from finance, insurance, and real estate interests during the second quarter of 2009, according to an analysis of Federal Election Commission filings by the nonpartisan Public Campaign Action Fund.

"Anytime you take $164,000 from just one sector of the economy," PCAF Campaigns Director David Donnelly told the Huffington Post, "clearly those that are giving to him hope he helps him out."

In an effort to see Kanjorski shake the money tree in real time, the Huffington Post visited a fundraiser Wednesday night at a home in Northwest Washington. Upon setting foot in the house, the Huffington Post was immediately asked to leave.

Price of admission to Kanjorski's dinner party was a $1,000 campaign contribution for individual guests, $2,500 for political action committee reps, and $5,000 for "co-hosts." The Sunlight Foundation posted an invitation to the event on its website, www.politicalpartytime.org. The house belonged to big-time lobbyist Tony Podesta, who co-hosted the event with wife Heather Podesta and Gwen Mellor, whose clients include the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the National Installment Lenders Association.

There's no telling who attended Wednesday's fundraiser. Event organizers and Kanjorski's office declined to provide details about the guest list for the run-of-the-mill event, and arriving guests politely declined to speak with a reporter.

The Huffington Post reported on the Podesta's in this article.

Tony and Heather Podesta basked in the praise when they donated the iconic, five-foot tall "Hope" portrait of Barack Obama to the National Portrait Gallery just before Inauguration Day. But to those who hoped Obama would reduce the influence of lobbyists in Washington, there was also something uniquely depressing about the gift -- because the Podestas are exactly the sort of K Street powerbrokers candidate Obama railed against.

And while Obama's presidency so far has in many ways failed to live up to his campaign poster, it's been a cash cow for the Podestas, who have been able to leverage their insider status into a slew of new high-paying clients. The husband-and-wife lobbyist couple have become icons themselves -- of the lobbying industry's imperviousness to Obama's change agenda.

Whether you call it "Pay To Play" or "Pay For Play" it doesn't pass the smell test.

Bloomsburg Press Enterprise Editorial On Paul Kanjorski And Special Interests

BLOOMSBURG PRESS-ENTERPRISE
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Editorial

Who's buying our congressman?

Out-of-state interest

The old joke goes like this: "We've got the best lawmakers money can buy!"

Well, if you never thought that was funny, you certainly won't laugh at this: They're now being bought by people who don't even live here.

Exhibit A is our man in Congress, Democrat Paul Kanjorski.

Officially, he represents the people of northeast Pennsylvania. However, 57 percent of personal contributions to his re-election campaign are coming from outside the state, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks political finances.

It's hard not to wonder: Who are these folks so interested in the re-election of our Congressman?

No other member of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation even comes close to matching Kanjorski's popularity among people who don't live in Pennsylvania.

As a 13-term incumbent, Kanjorski is a key figure on a House committee that oversees regulation of financial services. To put that another way, he's someone to whom people and financial institutions with big money want access.

Keeping this in mind, consider what reporter Eric Boehm of the Pennsylvania Independent discovered when he took a closer look at Kanjorski's donors:

"... Mr. Kanjorski's ... funds come from 30 different states. During the current election cycle, he has received more than $46,000 from people in New York and more than $34,000 from people in Washington, along with donations from as far away as Ogden, Utah, and San Diego. ... Of his $116,000 in contributions from inside Pennsylvania, nearly $70,000 has come from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh combined, and neither of those cities are part of Mr. Kanjorski's congressional district."

In the popular imagination, it's the Republican lawmakers who live off the lint in the pockets of the monied interests.

Either Kanjorski is an exception to the rule, or the rules have changed. Lucky us.

If it's any consolation – and, in truth, it's not – our guy in Washington is not the only one being bought by interests outside of his district and the state.

"All told, Pennsylvania's 18 incumbent U.S. representatives have collected more than $1.68 million from out-of-state individual contributions during this election cycle ..." the Pennsylvania Independent found.
Forget the honest, principled Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

Big-time electoral politics today is more like a loud, garish, 3-D summer blockbuster, with the hidden producers putting up big dollars to re-hire proven actors, the incumbents.

As for the actual voters back home whom the members of Congress purport to represent? Mere extras.

Is it any wonder that, for most people, interest in politics and trust in government are at or near historic lows?

Paul Kanjorski Bailed Out His Wall Street Friends

How can Paul Kanjorski make us believe he will hold Wall Street accountable when he is so beholden to them.

Kanjorski's PAC Money Just For 2009

ACE CASH EXPRESS INC PAC 05/29/2009 1000.00 29992494716
ACE GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 05/08/2009 2000.00 29934388021
ACE GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/19/2009 1000.00 29934388022
ACPAC ACA INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 02/27/2009 5000.00 29933371330
ACXIOM CORPORATION ASSOCIATES PAC, THE 04/08/2009 1000.00 29992518322
ADVANTA CORP EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT FUND 03/24/2009 1000.00 29992533649
AEGON USA, LLC PAC 04/06/2009 1000.00 29934207660
AEGON USA, LLC PAC 04/06/2009 2000.00 29934207661
AFLAC PAC 05/14/2009 1000.00 29992217544
AFLAC PAC 06/22/2009 1000.00 29934214471
AFLAC PAC 07/29/2009 2000.00 29934421188
AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP CIVIC ACTION COMMITTEE (AKA AGSH&F CIVIC ACTION COMMITT 05/19/2009 1000.00 29934027246
ALLIANZ OF AMERICA CORPORATION/FIREMAN'S FUND POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/20/2009 1000.00 29992501091
ALLIANZ OF AMERICA CORPORATION/FIREMAN'S FUND POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 05/15/2009 700.00 29992501093
ALLIED CAPITAL CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/22/2009 1000.00 29992501311
ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY PAC 03/02/2009 1000.00 29991963151
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AAJ PAC) 03/24/2009 2500.00 29991985203
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF LIFE INSURERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/23/2009 3500.00 29933500578
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY & MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES P E O P L E 06/10/2009 2500.00 29992490917
AMERICAN FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION PAC 06/30/2009 1000.00 29934321459
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/27/2009 1500.00 29992619991
AMERICAN INSURANCE ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/28/2009 2000.00 29933745593
AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION RESORT OWNERS COALITION PAC (ARDA-ROC PAC) 02/10/2009 2500.00 29933621812
AON CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/23/2009 500.00 29934237911
APPRAISAL INSTITUTE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 02/25/2009 2500.00 29992545974
ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY-ADM PAC 06/18/2009 1500.00 29992462163
ASSOC FOR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS PAC (FKA) TREASURY MGMT ASSOC PAC 03/30/2009 1000.00 29934388326
ASSOCIATION OF PROGRESSIVE RENTAL ORGANIZATIONS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/24/2009 1000.00 29991978366
ASSURANT INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 02/11/2009 1000.00 29991768220
AT&T INC. FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AT&T FEDERAL PAC) 06/19/2009 1000.00 29934304498
AXA EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AXA EQUITABLE PAC) 02/10/2009 1000.00 29991678783
AXA EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AXA EQUITABLE PAC) 03/06/2009 2500.00 29933410566
BAKER & HOSTETLER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/10/2009 1000.00 29933410810
BOEING COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, THE 06/24/2009 1000.00 29992417860
BOEING COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, THE 07/30/2009 1000.00 29992620804
CARPENTERS LEGISLATIVE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS 06/23/2009 5000.00 29992469858
CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/18/2009 1000.00 29934207181
CBC COMPANIES INC PAC 04/17/2009 1000.00 29992427437
CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/18/2009 1000.00 29992558877
CHICAGO BOARD OPTIONS EXCHANGE PAC 03/27/2009 5000.00 29934370638
CHUBB CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE-CHUBBPAC, THE 03/12/2009 2000.00 29991885396
CHUBB CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE-CHUBBPAC, THE 06/09/2009 2000.00 29934248770
CHUBB CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE-CHUBBPAC, THE 06/25/2009 1000.00 29934248774
CHUBB CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE-CHUBBPAC, THE 06/25/2009 5000.00 29934248775
CITIGROUP INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - FEDERAL (CITIGROUP PAC-FEDERAL) 07/27/2009 2500.00 29934452121
CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. POLITICAL COMMITTEE (RBS CITIZENS PAC) 03/05/2009 1000.00 29933574844
CME GROUP, INC. PAC (CME/CBOT/NYMEX PAC) 03/24/2009 5000.00 29933475113
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES ASSOCIATION PAC 03/02/2009 2500.00 29992505444
COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/19/2009 1000.00 29992551241
CONSUMER DATA INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OR CDIA PAC 04/30/2009 1000.00 29030132552
COUNCIL OF INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, THE 02/20/2009 1000.00 29933381987
COUNCIL OF INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, THE 03/26/2009 1000.00 29991988584
COUNCIL OF INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, THE 03/27/2009 2000.00 29991988585
COUNCIL OF INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, THE 06/18/2009 1000.00 29934306220
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 05/04/2009 1000.00 29933995608
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/02/2009 1000.00 29934311889
CULAC THE PAC OF CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION 03/25/2009 5000.00 29933577184
CUNA MUTUAL INSURANCE SOCIETY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (CUNA MUTUAL PAC) 05/04/2009 1000.00 29992405280
DELOITTE FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/14/2009 2000.00 29992131146
DEUTSCHE BANK AMERICAS CORP./TAUNUS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/10/2009 -2700.00 29991988028
DEWEY & LEBOEUF LLP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/01/2009 1000.00 29992430419
DIRECT EDGE HOLDINGS LLC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE : AKA DIRECT EDGE PAC 04/08/2009 100.00 29030124618
DIRECT EDGE HOLDINGS LLC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE : AKA DIRECT EDGE PAC 04/08/2009 2400.00 29030124618
DLA PIPER LLP (US) POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DLA PIPER PAC) 04/30/2009 -2500.00 29933780074
DRINKER BIDDLE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/02/2009 1000.00 29992556239
ENGINEERS POLITICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE (EPEC)/INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS 03/06/2009 5000.00 29991912178
ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 01/09/2009 1000.00 29932224146
EQUIFAX INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/30/2009 1000.00 29934258014
EXPERIAN NORTH AMERICA, INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (EXPERIAN PAC) 04/28/2009 1000.00 29934341477
FARMERS GROUP, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 05/28/2009 2000.00 29934316744
FEDERAL BIPARTISAN VOLUNTARY PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF PNC BANK, N.A. 05/05/2009 2500.00 29992414152
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF TOPEKA PAC 01/19/2009 1000.00 29030032764
FINANCIAL SERVICES POLITICAL COMMITTEE 03/20/2009 1000.00 29933563320
FINANCIAL SERVICES ROUNDTABLE PAC 03/09/2009 2500.00 29991962961
FINANCIAL SERVICES ROUNDTABLE PAC 06/19/2009 1000.00 29992413712
FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPORTATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/21/2009 1000.00 29030091887
FMR LLC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - FEDERAL (FIDELITY PAC) 03/19/2009 2500.00 29992518527
FMR LLC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - FEDERAL (FIDELITY PAC) 06/30/2009 1000.00 29992518527
GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) 06/17/2009 1000.00 29934250902
GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) 07/24/2009 1000.00 29992598655
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (GEPAC) 02/27/2009 1000.00 29933378914
GENWORTH FINANCIAL INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 05/11/2009 1000.00 29934288821
HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT INC. IMPACTS PUBLIC POLICY 07/24/2009 1000.00 29934489557
HARTFORD ADVOCATES FUND, THE 03/17/2009 1000.00 29991964616
HARTFORD ADVOCATES FUND, THE 03/17/2009 2000.00 29991964616
HOGAN & HARTSON POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/09/2009 1000.00 29934447559
HSBC NORTH AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (H-PAC) 03/17/2009 1000.00 29933575734
HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (HBI-PAC) 03/09/2009 2500.00 29933487788
INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKERS OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 01/16/2009 1000.00 29991044289
INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKERS OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 05/19/2009 1000.00 29934025239
INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKERS OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/16/2009 3000.00 29934468197
INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKERS OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/16/2009 5000.00 29934468197
INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS OF AMERICA, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (INSURP 02/25/2009 1000.00 29991766618
INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS OF AMERICA, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (INSURP 04/01/2009 1000.00 29992130842
INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS OF AMERICA, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (INSURP 07/21/2009 1000.00 29934422694
ING AMERICA INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ING US PAC) 04/15/2009 1000.00 29992545956
INT'L. ASSOCIATION OF BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL & REINFORCING IRON WORKERS (IPAL) 06/10/2009 1000.00 29992406014
INTERNATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE COMMITTEE FOR IMPROVEMENT AND BETTERMENT OF THE COUNTRY 06/18/2009 2500.00 29934391308
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF BOILERMAKERS CAMPAIGN ASSISTANCE FUND 06/02/2009 1000.00 29934338150
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 05/26/2009 5000.00 29934019494
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SHOPPING CENTERS INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ICSC PAC) 03/12/2009 1000.00 29992509155
INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE PAC 03/27/2009 2000.00 29934378783
INVESTMENT ADVISER ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (IAA-PAC) 03/23/2009 2500.00 29933465450
INVESTMENT COMPANY INSTITUTE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ICI PAC) 02/12/2009 2500.00 29991778311
INVESTMENT COMPANY INSTITUTE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ICI PAC) 05/12/2009 1000.00 29934022408
INVESTMENT COMPANY INSTITUTE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ICI PAC) 06/18/2009 1500.00 29992470322
INVESTMENT COMPANY INSTITUTE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (ICI PAC) 07/22/2009 1000.00 29992600999
JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/21/2009 1000.00 29934210104
K&L GATES LLP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DC) 03/02/2009 1000.00 29933576695
KEYCORP ADVOCATES FUND 07/10/2009 1000.00 29992572366
KNIGHT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND 03/27/2009 5000.00 29992505454
KPMG PARTNERS/PRINCIPALS & EMPLOYEES PAC 03/25/2009 1000.00 29992552345
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY - PAC 03/23/2009 1000.00 29992534694
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY - PAC 03/25/2009 1000.00 29992534694
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY - PAC 03/25/2009 4000.00 29992534694
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/28/2009 1000.00 29992553931
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/16/2009 1000.00 29992491411
MACHINISTS NON PARTISAN POL LEAGUE OF THE INT'L ASSN OF MACHINISTS & AEROSPACE WORKERS 06/04/2009 5000.00 29992395274
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/24/2009 1000.00 29933581847
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/23/2009 2000.00 29992118790
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/14/2009 2000.00 29992622543
METLIFE INC. EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL PARTICIPATION FUND A 03/16/2009 1000.00 29933566130
METLIFE INC. EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL PARTICIPATION FUND A 05/07/2009 2500.00 29934029317
MORGAN STANLEY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/23/2009 2500.00 29934465248
MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 02/13/2009 1000.00 29933375263
MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/20/2009 2500.00 29934448736
NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC. PAC (NASDAQ PAC) 06/25/2009 1000.00 29934360987
NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION PAC 05/11/2009 1000.00 29992263333
NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION PAC 06/02/2009 1000.00 29934322791
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/18/2009 5000.00 29992467137
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS POLITICAL ACTION COMM 02/23/2009 2500.00 29933365852
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS POLITICAL ACTION COMM 06/17/2009 2500.00 29934308665
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES PAC 03/31/2009 1000.00 29992057202
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTMASTERS OF THE UNITED STATES (NAPUS PAC) 06/16/2009 1000.00 29992493653
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/19/2009 4000.00 29992410994
NATIONAL COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION - PAC 03/03/2009 1000.00 29933574743
NATIONAL COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION - PAC 03/03/2009 1000.00 29933574771
NATIONAL MULTI HOUSING COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 02/03/2009 2500.00 29933358518
NATIONAL MULTI HOUSING COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/10/2009 1500.00 29934437652
NATIONAL MULTI HOUSING COUNCIL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/10/2009 3500.00 29934437652
NATIONAL PAWNBROKERS ASSOCIATION INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (NPA-PAC) 01/06/2009 1000.00 29991873121
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/16/2009 1000.00 29992102742
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/23/2009 2000.00 29992487760
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/13/2009 -1000.00 29934421429
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/17/2009 1000.00 29934421430
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/10/2009 1000.00 29933766646
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/18/2009 -1000.00 29934332251
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/19/2009 1000.00 29934332251
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/19/2009 4000.00 29934332250
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/19/2009 5000.00 29934332251
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY FEDERAL PAC, THE 02/05/2009 1000.00 29992504002
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY FEDERAL PAC, THE 04/14/2009 1000.00 29992504002
NYSE GROUP, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (NYSE GROUP PAC) 06/19/2009 5000.00 29934241218
ONLINE LENDERS ALLIANCE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (OLA PAC) 06/26/2009 1500.00 29992502898
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/09/2009 1000.00 29934485564
PACIFIC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/07/2009 2000.00 29992093463
PMI MORTGAGE INSURANCE CO. FEDERAL PAC 03/31/2009 1000.00 29992551834
PPL PEOPLE FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT 02/09/2009 2500.00 29992538052
PPL PEOPLE FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT 03/27/2009 1000.00 29992538057
PPL PEOPLE FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT 06/15/2009 1000.00 29992538065
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE I 05/07/2009 1000.00 29934025188
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE I 06/16/2009 1500.00 29934252951
PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/23/2009 1000.00 29933692746
PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PCIPAC) 03/23/2009 2500.00 29933586446
PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PCIPAC) 05/12/2009 1000.00 29992265564
PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PCIPAC) 06/18/2009 1500.00 29992498760
PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PCIPAC) 06/18/2009 5000.00 29992498761
PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AKA - PRUDENTIAL PAC) 03/25/2009 1000.00 29991944217
PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AKA - PRUDENTIAL PAC) 04/29/2009 1000.00 29933760841
QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/08/2009 1000.00 29992603783
RADIAN GROUP EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 02/27/2009 5000.00 29933375326
REALOGY CORPORATION PAC (REALOGY PAC) 05/15/2009 1000.00 29934211833
REED ELSEVIER INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/29/2009 1500.00 29934474140
REINSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE INC (REPAC) 06/29/2009 1000.00 29934249664
SALLIE MAE INC. PAC 03/18/2009 2500.00 29991987857
SALLIE MAE INC. PAC 05/26/2009 1000.00 29992255854
SECURITY TRADERS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/26/2009 5000.00 29992560698
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL LLP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE(SONNENSCHEIN PAC) 05/11/2009 2500.00 29934368707
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (US) PAC 04/24/2009 1000.00 29934354922
TEACHERS INSURANCE ANNUITY ASSOC OF AMERICA COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND PAC TIAA-CREF 04/23/2009 1000.00 29934387337
TITLE INDUSTRY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 02/23/2009 1000.00 29933375283
TITLE INDUSTRY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 07/09/2009 1000.00 29992627999
TRANS UNION LLC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/09/2009 2000.00 29992502876
TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS COMMITTEE 03/18/2009 -4000.00 29933568544
TRAVELERS COMPANIES INC. PAC, THE 05/06/2009 2000.00 29992241118
TRAVELERS COMPANIES INC. PAC, THE 07/07/2009 2500.00 29934463255
UBS AMERICAS FUND FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT 05/27/2009 2500.00 29934023852
UBS AMERICAS FUND FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT 07/24/2009 2500.00 29934467458
UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA - COAL MINERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/25/2009 1000.00 29933592293
UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA - COAL MINERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/04/2009 1000.00 29992503128
UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION EMPLOYEE PAC - USAA EMPLOYEE PAC 03/20/2009 1000.00 29991888586
UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION EMPLOYEE PAC - USAA EMPLOYEE PAC 03/20/2009 2000.00 29991888586
UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION EMPLOYEE PAC - USAA EMPLOYEE PAC 07/23/2009 2000.00 29934445969
UNUM GROUP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (UNUMPAC) 03/09/2009 1500.00 29933403714
ZURICH HOLDING COMPANY OF AMERICA COMMITTEE FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT (Z-PAC) 03/04/2009 1000.00 29992559866
ZURICH HOLDING COMPANY OF AMERICA COMMITTEE FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT (Z-PAC) 03/26/2009 1000.00 29992559866

Bonusgate-Bonuses And Political Contributions

Tracie Mauriello of the Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau writes an interesting piece about bonuses that are part of the Bonusgate investigation and political contributions made by those charged in that scheme.

When Bill DeWeese was House Democratic leader in 2002, he gave his Harrisburg aides $1,000 or $2,000 bonuses.

Six of the recipients contributed identical or nearly identical amounts to Mr. DeWeese's re-election and the House Democratic Campaign Committee that year or in 2003, records show.

Nine other recipients that year made lesser contributions to the two committees.

The bonuses and contributions came to light in the discovery phase of a criminal investigation into allegations that the House Democratic caucus used tax dollars to subsidize campaigns.

You will read vehement denials about a link between the bonuses awarded and campaign contributions in the article but this about sums it all up.

One recipient of a 2002 bonus, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution, said the House Democratic Campaign Committee sent mailings to employees' homes with lists of staffers who had contributed to various campaigns.

"I'd see the list and say, 'My name's not on it. I'd better give in case DeWeese or Veon is looking," the recipient said. "I made sure I gave at least something to Veon, DeWeese and the campaign committee, even if it was just $50, just to be on the list."

What strikes me odd is the audacity of those involved still feel their behaviors was/are acceptable and normal. People in Harrisburg better start "getting it." Notice I don't say Democrats or Republicans. Both parties are complicit in the culture that flourishes in our state Capitol. It is the way our constitution allows the majority party to control everything that happens. There should be no majority or minority. There should be a union of people who work for the greater good of this Commonwealth. I guess I better stay on my medication to quell these common sense thoughts. Forgot that's the other blog.

Conflict of Interest?? Slow Down Fast Eddy At Work

Comcast Building(Krystle Marcellus/The Bulletin)

Chris Freind at the Bulletin wrote this piece about the way Fast Eddy sees events in his state.

Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell’s recent decision to criticize the Sunoco oil company for laying off 750 workers raises a number of intriguing questions. While the governor held a press conference last week solely to excoriate Sunoco, calling the company’s decision “unconscionable,” he has been notably silent concerning the 3,000 layoffs — four times the number at Sunoco — that Comcast has executed in the past year.

Since the governor’s election in 2002, SUN PAC, Sunoco’s political action committee, has contributed $55,000 to Mr. Rendell, with Sunoco employees donating an additional $2,650.

During that same time period, Comcast’s PAC, its employees, and the spouses of its top executives, donated $634,350 to the governor. Additionally, Comcast spent at least $100,000 on Mr. Rendell’s inauguration festivities in 2007, being designated as a“Benefactor” by the governor, the highest level of a contributor.

Why do people complain about the no-bid work in Luzerne County? Read the last sentence of his article.

Under the Rendell administration, over $1 billion in no-bid contracts have been awarded.

Senator Mellow How About A Mini-Stimulus

Some people fly under the radar. Let's take a look at who donated to Senator Mellow in 2008. According to the state's webstie there were 878 donors. I believe there are 12 million people in Pennsylvania.

If you want to see how much political committees gave take a look at these that made the over $250.00 list.

Cycle 1 with 12 donors for $22,200.00

Cycle 2 with 1 donor for $280.00

Cycle 3 with 7 donors-$10,500.00

Cycle 4 with 60 donors-$48,525.00

Cycle 5 with 28 donors-$43,350.00

Cycle 6 with 15 donors-$36,250.00

Cycle 7 with 15 donors-$36,250.00

I chose Senator Mellow because the Blue Cross board he sits on has a sizable surplus of money. Acoording to Michelle Davidson, Blue Cross of NEPA spokesperson, this Blue is sitting on a $370 million dollar surplus. The state is sitting on $436 million of casino money earmarked for property tax reduction. And Obama said Congress needed to pass an economic stimulus. I found almost $800 million just by surfing the net.

Judges Says Donations Aren't Considered In Court Cases

Do campaign contributions donated to Luzerne County judicial candidates or sitting judges seeking retention affect the way they rule in court cases? Jennifer Learn-Andes posed a question to five of seven sitting judges to seek the answer. You will find her report in today's Times Leader.

Two lawyers appear in court. One donated thousands to the judge’s campaign and the other gave nothing. Will they be treated the same?

Absolutely, say five of the seven elected Luzerne County judges who accepted campaign donations from lawyers.

But getting people to believe that is a problem, said Shira Goodman, co-director of the nonprofit Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.

There’s a growing public perception in Pennsylvania and nationally that judges can’t simply be impartial with donors who helped them get elected or pay off campaign debt, Goodman said.

“With the courts, perception is reality. Even if that perception is wrong, people don’t think they’re getting a fair shake. That undermines the whole system,” Goodman said.

“You don’t want anyone to say, ‘I wonder if my lawyer gave money to the judge.’ ”

My personal belief is that campaign donations should be limited. Attorneys like Mike Butera just don't seem to get it. Jerry Lynott of the Times Leader writes the following information in his story yesterday.

When attorney Michael Butera learned the campaign committee to retain Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan was accepting donations from members of the bar in 2003, he contributed $10,000.

The contribution came nearly a year after Conahan awarded Butera $931,452 in a non-jury trial for injuries suffered in a bicycle accident.

It was the largest single amount the Hughestown attorney said he gave to a candidate and was totally voluntary.

It raises no concerns for me,” Butera said Friday. “Judge Conahan never asked me for a penny.” It may not raise a concern for you Mike, but it certainly taints the public's perception of the judiciary and would appear to cast doubt, something the Judicial Canons try to address.

Previously I wrote how former Judge Ciavarella donated $12,500.00 to the Luzerne County Democratic Party during his retention campaign. How does a Republican feel if he would go before Ciavarella? Would he/she stand a chance? Ask Lou Barletta when Ciavarella ruled on the address of Michael Marsicano during his mayoral campaign in 2007.

How Campaign Donations Can Break Down Barriers To Political Access- Hidden Unfairness

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as the Federal Election Commission have websites where anyone can look up campaign contributions made on behalf of candidates. Curiosity got the better of me concerning the campaign contributions.

There has been a discussion in the business community about grants and loans that politicians bring back home from either Harrisburg or Washington. For example, if a restaurant receives a low interest loan for $1 million dollars it can hurt the competition in the area that does not have the same political access. In this case I looked at Robert Mericle and his companies because the growth and success of his business has been phenomenal when compared to others in the same business. I looked at contributions made by Robert Mericle and/or his business entities for the years 1998 through 2008 on a federal and a state level.

Here is the breakdown:

In 1998 Tom Ridge was the recipient of $36,000.00.

In 1999 The Ridge Leadership Fund received a $10,000.00 donation and Friends of Mike Fisher received $1,000.00

Oddly, nothing of significance was noted in the year 2000 data.

In 2001 The Ridge Leadership Fund receives another $10,000.00 and Robert Casey For Governor receives $16,000.00.

In 2002 Edward Rendell For Governor accepts $10,500.00 in donations. Fisher For Governor receives $10,000.00 and Robert Casey For Governor is given another $5,000.00

In 2003 Edward Rendell For Governor receives another $10,000.00 and Robert Casey For Treasurer accepts $1,000.00

In 2004 Edward Rendell For Governor receives another $5,000.00 and Robert Casey For Treasuer is given another $2,000.00.

In 2005 Mark Ciavarella For Retention receives $2,250.00. The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee comes on board for $2,000.00. Friends of Bob Mellow recieve $5,525.00.

And then the winds blow in. Hold onto your hat.

In 2006 the Committee To Elect Eddie Day Pashinski received $2,600.00. Edward Rendell For Governor receives $70,000.00. The Democratic Senate Committee accepts another $5,000.00. The SenatorMellow06 Committee receives $10,000.00 while Friends Of Bob Mellow accept $25,700.00.

In 2007 the Democratic Senate Committee is given another $5,000.00. The Committee For Rob McCord accepts $2,500.00. David Lupas For Judge Committee recieves $6,200.00. Friends of Bob Mellow accept another $75,875.00. Friends of Mike Carroll receive $2,000.00.

In 2008 the Democratic Senate Committee accepts another $5,000.00. The McCord Committee receives $25,000.00. Edward Rendell for Governor is given $15,000.00. Friends of Bob Mellow come up light at $875.00. Friends of Mike Carroll receive $4,500.00.

So lets add some of these up. Tom Ridge and The Ridge Leadership Fund received $56,000.00 but then the donations went mostly Democratic.

Edward Rendell For Governor received $110,500.00 since 2002. Friends of Bob Mellow and SenatorMellow06 were given a combined $117,975.00. Robert Casey For Governor and Treasurer received $23,250.00. The Democratic Senate Committee tallied up to $17,000.00. David Lupas For Judge received $6,250.00. Mark Ciavarella For Retention received $2,250.00.

On a federal level Paul Kanjorski via Pennsylvanians For Kanjorski has received $8,000.00 since 1998. Bob Casey For Pennsylvania Commmittee was the recipient of $2,100.00 while Bob Casey For Senate received $4,600.00. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee received $11,000.00. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee received $10,000.00. The RNC Republican National State Elections Committee received $5,000.00 on 11/03/2000. The Republican Federal Committee of Pennsylvania received $10,000.00 on 10/04/2005. The Pennsylvania Senate 2006 received $5,000.00 on 11/06/2006.

The total donations made on a federal level was $66,600.00 since 1998 including donations I have not published here. The total donations on a state level(including donations not listed here) were a whopping $444,395.00 for the same period..

The power of Congress lies in the committees where the bills are written. The committee chairman have tremendous control over the language written into a bill. Politicians who are not receptive to big campaign donors usually don't rise to these high offices. Party funds are such a big part of election funding that loss of party funds almost guarantees a loss of the election. On a state level the governor by him or herself is one of the three legislative bodies in most states. It is hard for proposed legislation to become law unless the governor ends up supporting it. A governor of a large state like Pennsylvania is more powerful than the governor of a small state.

Consider the gaming industry in Pennsylvania. Large campaign contributions created legal versions of gambling that were prohibited in the Commonwealth. The current voting methods and funding of candidates means the most ethical individual is so vulnerable to being influenced through money that the average voter really has no say except to place the person in office.

This problem is how we arrived at our financial crisis today. Large corporations influenced Congress to change the laws regarding savings and loans in the 80's. The new laws enabled these businesses to engage in financially irresponsible activity.

Is there a hidden unfairness in U.S. elections known as the disease "cashous infectous"? Is there an equal amount of access to politicians when individual donations can be drowned out with sizable donations like these?

State Figures By Year
1998- $38,000.00 1999- $11,000.00 2000- $1,650.00 2001- $27,100.00 2002- $26,600.00

2003- $14,100.00 2004- $10,910.00 2005- $18,100.00 2006- $131,075.00
2007- $97,200.00 2008- $68,650.00