Legislation for sale...
From the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) website:
"Through more than 2,000 meetings with members of Congress - at home and in Washington - AIPAC activists help pass more than 100 pro-Israel legislative initiatives a year. From procuring nearly $3 billion in aid critical to Israel's security, to funding joint U.S.-Israeli efforts to build a defense against unconventional weapons, AIPAC members are involved in the most crucial issues facing Israel."
Also, on their Current Agenda: "Standing By Israel to Ensure the Security of the Only Democracy in the Middle East."
Maybe they can strike that one out, now that the elections in Iraq and Palestine are over...
According to the Federal Elections Commission:
A domestic subsidiary of a foreign corporation may not establish a federal political action committee (PAC) to make federal contributions if:
The foreign parent corporation finances the PAC's establishment, administration, or solicitation costs; or
Individual foreign nationals:
Participate in the operation of the PAC;
Serve as officers of the PAC;
Participated in the selection of persons who operate the PAC; or
Make decisions regarding PAC contributions or expenditure.
I'm not attempting to state that AIPAC's activities are illegal, and this is probably oversimplified, but what, though, is prohibiting American-Palestinians from establishing an American-Palestinian PAC; American-Iranians from establishing an American-Iranian PAC, etc.?? What, given the nature of even our most conscientious lawmakers, would prohibit them from accepting contributions from such an organization devoted to furthering the goals of it's respective country?
Special note to sensitive types: My opinions expressed here should not be construed as being anti-Semitic, even though anyone who attempts to argue the legality of a PAC devoted to Israel will most likely be labeled as such.
My personal opinion is that PACs, in general, should draw ire and suspicion from any average citizen. That any of these people can march into your congressman's or senator's office with check in hand and command an audience should at least shake what little trust you might have in your elected official's desire to do what's asked for by his or her constituents.
From the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) website:
"Through more than 2,000 meetings with members of Congress - at home and in Washington - AIPAC activists help pass more than 100 pro-Israel legislative initiatives a year. From procuring nearly $3 billion in aid critical to Israel's security, to funding joint U.S.-Israeli efforts to build a defense against unconventional weapons, AIPAC members are involved in the most crucial issues facing Israel."
Also, on their Current Agenda: "Standing By Israel to Ensure the Security of the Only Democracy in the Middle East."
Maybe they can strike that one out, now that the elections in Iraq and Palestine are over...
According to the Federal Elections Commission:
A domestic subsidiary of a foreign corporation may not establish a federal political action committee (PAC) to make federal contributions if:
The foreign parent corporation finances the PAC's establishment, administration, or solicitation costs; or
Individual foreign nationals:
Participate in the operation of the PAC;
Serve as officers of the PAC;
Participated in the selection of persons who operate the PAC; or
Make decisions regarding PAC contributions or expenditure.
I'm not attempting to state that AIPAC's activities are illegal, and this is probably oversimplified, but what, though, is prohibiting American-Palestinians from establishing an American-Palestinian PAC; American-Iranians from establishing an American-Iranian PAC, etc.?? What, given the nature of even our most conscientious lawmakers, would prohibit them from accepting contributions from such an organization devoted to furthering the goals of it's respective country?
Special note to sensitive types: My opinions expressed here should not be construed as being anti-Semitic, even though anyone who attempts to argue the legality of a PAC devoted to Israel will most likely be labeled as such.
My personal opinion is that PACs, in general, should draw ire and suspicion from any average citizen. That any of these people can march into your congressman's or senator's office with check in hand and command an audience should at least shake what little trust you might have in your elected official's desire to do what's asked for by his or her constituents.
posted by Woof at 3:57 PM
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