email from Alan Grayson asking for donations

[Maraya1969]

http://alangraysonemails.tumblr.com/post/69532904646/please-read-this-if-you-didnt-donate-this-weekend

This year, I have passed more amendments in the U.S. House of Representatives than any other Member of Congress. According to Slate magazine, I’m the most effective Member of Congress.

Last year, I passed no amendments. Why? Because I wasn’t in Congress. The Republicans beat me in 2010, spending more than $5 million in sewer money to inundate my district with lying negative ads.

As I pointed out to you in e-mails on Friday and Saturday, it can happen again. In fact, it looks like it is happening again. The Republicans are already spewing their nasty filth against me, calling me an “Obamacare co-conspirator.”

As I explained in those e-mails, The Washington Post recently reported that the National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting me. That word – “targeting” – is their word, not mine.

When you are a “targeted” House Democrat, it means that the other side is planning to spend $5 million or more to defeat you. You can take my word for it, because it happened to me before. And it worked. I was out of office. For two years, I wandered in the wilderness.

When you are out of office, there ain’t nothing you can do for nobody. Think of liberal lions like Dennis Kucinich, Barney Frank, Russ Feingold. Think of how much they accomplished in office. And then think of what they accomplished afterward.

How much would Elizabeth Warren be able to achieve if she had lost her Senate race?

Since I put out the word on Friday night, we have received over $100,000 in contributions and pledges, from well over 1000 people. That’s great, and I’m grateful. But that’s not enough to counter $5 million. If you didn’t contribute this weekend, then I need you to do that now.

And as I’ve explained before, the most effective way to do that is to make a monthly pledge. Just $10 or $20 or $25 each month – it adds up. It makes a difference, a huge difference. Every dollar counts.

We are fighting for justice, equality and peace. We are paying attention, we are working hard, and we are getting things done. And because of that, I am under attack. I need your help, and I need it today.

I know you are counting on me. Well, it works both ways. I’m counting on you. Please don’t let me down.

Courage,

Rep. Alan Grayson

[Voice for Peace]

1. penniless but giving a kick and well wishes to Alan Grayson.

[Maraya1969]

2. Thank you. We've got to keep our best ones in the game.

Last edited Mon Dec 9, 2013, 09:33 PM - Edit history (1)

[frazzled]

3. You do realize the irony of this, right? /nt

[Boom Sound 416]

4. Yup

[Maraya1969]

7. I don't see it. I don't agree that you can't do anything if you're not in office

I think that is a line that he should trow away and never touch again. Nelson Mandela was only the president of South Africa for one term and he changed a nation. So did Ghandi.

So I think that is disingenuous or thoughtless of him.

If you are trying to say he can't accomplish is ironic because because the stupid congress doesn't do anything the only way we can change that is to fight to put more Democrats in there. I mean seriously fight to do it.

I think I may have referred to his position incorrectly.

[cherokeeprogressive]

19. You mean being rich enough to lose $18 mil in a fraudulent investment, and begging for money?

Then yup.

[sabrina 1]

21. No, explain to those of us too dim witted to get whatever it is you are referring to.

I will be happy to donate to Grayson even though he is not my Congressmember. I'm sure he won't be getting too many donations from the Global Corps.

[Boom Sound 416]

5. Let's see...

"When you are out of office, there ain’t nothing you can do for nobody."


Mmmmm no.

[Whisp]

65. That is pathetic, isn't it?

He's pretty well telling all the 'non office holding people ' he is begging money from, that they are useless and can't do anything. but gimme money.

Grayson is not very good with that message thing.

Maybe he should get Allah to Sort Out his Change.

[Boom Sound 416]

66. And insulting

It's entirely classist

[rhett o rick]

6. This is sad but it's reality. Rep Grayson wont be able to stay in office without

a large grassroots support.

[sabrina 1]

22. Which is why I will donate to his campaign.

[rhett o rick]

41. Yes and as I will. We must fight the big money from the corporations. nm

[BlueStreak]

32. I thought his district was Gerrymandered

to ensure the Dem candidate would always get 70% or more.

[JI7]

37. from what i remember he funded the extremist in the Republican Primary

so he could win in the GE which is what ended up happening.

[seveneyes]

8. Grayson was ranked as the 11th wealthiest member of Congress in 2010

Are members of Congress not allowed to spend their own money on their campaign? According to Wiki, he has a net worth of $31 million plus. That should more than cover the $5 million hit money they plan to use against him.

[sabrina 1]

23. He earned his money as a very effective attorney. One who took Defense Contractors to court

for wasting tax payers money in Iraq and won. He has consistently worked FOR the American people, not FOR the Corporations. That's good enough for me.

How wealthy are the Clintons, personally I mean?

I don't care how much money someone earns, HONESTLY, I care about the money they take from Corporations.

I believe this should be a huge issue in all campaigns from now on.

Will Hillary spend her own vast fortune on her campaign or will she accept huge donations from Corporations?

Just wondering how we go about figuring all this out.

[seveneyes]

52. That was not my point

I am asking why he doesn't just spend his own $5 million dollars on his campaign since he has many millions more than he can spend on himself and his family. Why as us for money when he has his own millions? I did not mention or even consider corporation donations, or anything about how he came to have millions of dollars. My only question is why not spend his own money?

[Maraya1969]

67. I wonder about that too. The only thing I can think of is that it is going to cost a lot

more than 5 million and he, (and they) don't want us to know that.

[bigwillq]

9. Sorry, but I don't donate to politicians.

But, all the best, Mr. Grayson. Keep fighting that good fight.

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. Me either.

Plus I'm a bit disturbed by his stance on Sea World.

[Beaverhausen]

31. What is his stance on Seaworld?

[ScreamingMeemie]

33. ...

http://blog.seattlepi.com/candacewhiting/2010/08/24/seaworld-is-fined-for-safety-violations-related-to-trainers-death-what-it-means-for-captive-orca-lolita/

"The ruling came despite political pressure by Florida U.S. Representative Alan Grayson, who admittedly intervened in OSHA’s investigation, as he states in a press release: “As everyone knows, working with sharks and whales is inherently dangerous. But SeaWorld has done what it could to make that work as safe as possible,”… “Beyond that, SeaWorld has raised people’s knowledge and understanding of cetaceans enormously, and contributed greatly to the well-being of Central Florida and our community.”

[dionysus]

10. he already trolls DU for cash (well, a staffer does).

[sheshe2]

12. careful....

dionysis, I had a hide when I said that.

[dionysus]

15. oh dear. i wouldn't want to miss his weekly solicitation for funds!

[rhett o rick]

44. So you stand against Rep Grayson. You apparently side with the corporatists that

want to see him ousted. So I am curious, what do you stand for?

[sabrina 1]

24. Fine with me. Hillary will be doing the same thing. Will you object to that also? I will happily

donate to Grayson who has worked tirelessly for the issues that matter to Progressive Dems. Others, not so much.

[ScreamingMeemie]

34. I donate to DFA and that's it.

As far as politics go.

[dionysus]

59. they're both free to fundraise as they choose, and i'm free to comment on it. nt

[Maraya1969]

68. Did not know that. And I am not a staffer. Just to make sure.

[Egnever]

11. It would be way more effective

if this email wasn't sent every week. Or my phone didnt ring every week.

I like his guts but his fundraising is obnoxious.

[octoberlib]

13. So is Al Franken's.

I was getting phone calls everyday until I blocked the number on my cell.

[Egnever]

14. Glad I never got on that list

I seriously gopt calls every week from grayson for months till i finnaly got fed up and told them to pound sand.

Sad really cause I do like his willingness to stand up for what he believes in and call people to the carpet,

I dont however like it so much I want to be hounded weekly.

[Maraya1969]

69. I just thought of something. Maybe Franken and Grayson and some other have to be

pains in the asses because they don't get the corporate money that other politicians get because they really are true liberals fighting against corporatism.

I think I'll donate to both of them.

[octoberlib]

70. I'm sure that's it. Democrats always have a harder time with fundraising. for the

reason you mention. Totally corrupt Dems like Max Baucus might be rolling in corporate donations but the Progressive Caucus members aren't. I can guarantee ya that.

[sabrina 1]

25. Would by happier if he was being funded by major Corps? If that were the case he wouldn't have to

ask the people he has so effectively fought for to help him continue to do so.

The hugely funded by Corporations candidates, won't need to take our pittances.

I'm more than happy to donate to those not beholden to Corps until the time when we can remove the need for good candidates to try to compete with Corporate Supported Candidates.

[Egnever]

27. Knock yourself out

[sabrina 1]

28. So who will you be supporting for President in 2016?

[Egnever]

30. No idea

Depends who my choices are.

Pretty stupid question in 2013

[sabrina 1]

38. Will you refuse to support anyone who is personally wealthy but is asking for your donations?

I would think so considering your comment on the subject. That would probably eliminate Hillary I suppose?

[Egnever]

40. I think you are confused

I never said anything about his personal wealth.

You go on making shit up though. It is sort of fun to watch.

[sabrina 1]

48. I made up that you object to a Progressive Dem asking for funds for his campaign?

See your own comment above.

Let me ask you this. Do you feel the same way about calls and emails from any other Dem candidates or just Grayson. I received dozens of requests for money from Obama eg. I never objected to them being that he was a Dem and I assumed money was pouring into Romney's campaign.

So it's a fair question. We know that the money in politics is poison but Progressive Dems are the least likely to be receiving huge Corporate Donations and will be depending on the grass roots for donations to try to combat all that Republican Corporate money. So why would any Dem object to them trying to fight the flow of money into their Repub opponent's campaign?

[rhett o rick]

46. What a bunch of crap. You dont have any idea who you want to be our

nominee in 2016? No wonder the Democratic Party is in trouble.

[ScreamingMeemie]

35. A lot of us are concentrating on 2014, which is far, FAR more important right now.

[sabrina 1]

39. But my question was about supporting candidates who are personally wealthy but are asking

us for donations? I have never seen the commenter above object to donations to Clinton or any other wealthy candidate many of whom aside from their personal wealth, also receive huge Corporate donations. So I was wondering why the different standard for a Progressive Democrat like Grayson?

I agree with you btw, re 2014 being way more important than the 2016 presidential election, but as you know, we have been bombarded with Hillary For President OPs here over the past several months.

[Egnever]

42. Once again to clarify your idiocy

I never said a word about his personal wealth. That is something you came up with all on your own.

My comments were solely on the obnoxiousness of his fund raising.

[sabrina 1]

49. They are all obnoxious when asking for funds. It's a sad necessity for candidates

who are not on the Corporate list of desirable puppets in Congress. Do you feel the same way about ALL candidates or just Grayson? I received so many 'obnoxious' fund raising requests during the last election that I couldn't wait for it to be over, but I understood that the good Progressive Candidates needed our help to combat the Corporate Candidates.

You will receive lots of obnoxious fund raising over the next several years. Some from personally wealthy AND corporate funded candidates. So will I. My question was will you feel the same about all of them, or just Grayson?

[dionysus]

60. it's the same as giving to charity. give them money once, all of a sudden you're getting 2

solicitation letters and multiple phone calls a week. then your number or address gets shared or sold. now you're getting calls and letters from multiple organizations begging money weekly, even daily.

who knew giving 5 bucks to the humane society would open the floodgates like that. then the humane society gives your address to the ASPCA. then PETA. then the WWF. it never stops. I have 10 lifetimes worth of address labels and notepads and little magnets.

same thing with politicians. damned if they want you to just make a contribution these days, they want you to sign up for monthly contributions. sign a petition, boom now they've got your email address and you're going to get spammed all over the place.

it's annoying as hell whoever is doing it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

45. True, we have.

My trash can overfloweth.

[FarCenter]

16. A Democratic Congressman (Alan Grayson) Lost $18 Million In An Investment Fraud Scheme

http://www.businessinsider.com/alan-grayson-fraud-scheme-ponzi-18-million-2013-12

[NaturalHigh]

17. A rich guy begging for money.

At least he's in the right profession.

[Logical]

18. So he should only spend his money? Not ask for political donations? Like Obama did? n-t

[sabrina 1]

26. Who will you be supporting in the next presidential campaign? The poor guys who don't stand a

chance, or the wealthy guys who also receive huge corporate donations? I assume considering your comment, you will be looking for the candidates who have no corporate donations and no personal wealth?

[greytdemocrat]

29. Ha!

Exactly.

[sabrina 1]

43. So what candidates will you be supporting for Congress and for the Presidential Election? Who are

the 'not rich' candidates we should be looking for who will be asking for money? Who will the candidates who are not receiving huge donations from Corporations be, so that we can get behind them?

I take it you will not be supporting candidates like, say Clinton eg? She is a 'rich guy' who will be asking for money, and she has huge Corporate donations as well. Are you saying we should not vote for 'rich guys' who ask for money no matter what the circumstances?

I can agree that we should not donate to 'rich guys' who are also receiving huge Corporate Donations. But where are they?

[rhett o rick]

47. Do you care to elaborate or are you just dropping a turd and leaving? nm

[NightWatcher]

36. Keep signing those "petitions". How else will they get your email and phone numbers

When a millionaire gets scammed then asks for our money to fight the monied powers that are out to get him, I go a big soft one right here.

Poor rich guy

[Demo_Chris]

50. He supports insurance mandates, so he can hit up UnitedHealth for cash. nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

51. Romney sent money to his opponent.

Grayson's creepy opponent
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/alan-graysons-opponents-horribly-racist-off

[woo me with science]

53. Interesting, watching the corporate brigade line up to disparage Grayson,

using arguments that would cause them to squeal with outrage, were/had they been deployed against Hillary or Obama.

Apparently the hunger across the country for progressive politicians is too powerful and real and threatening this time to permit the usual feigned support of liberal Democrats and liberal goals.

Funny how all the demands for unquestioning loyalty to and enthusiasm for Democrats and all the lectures about supporting the Democrat no matter what....not letting "the perfect be the enemy of the good"....fly out the window when said Democrat is a Liberal and not a Corporate Authoritarian.

It is *so* good to see the true, ugly agenda of the Third Way finally unmasked.

[frazzled]

54. The corporate brigade consists of those who

play the corporate game--investing in risky stock schemes that only further the corporate strategy in the end.

Since I don't do that, I'd say that Alan Grayson is far more a member of the corporate brigade than I am. I'm just a gal who can't abide hypocrisy (and knows a scam when she sees one).

Really, you're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

[woo me with science]

55. ROFL. Like Terry McAuliffe, whom you shamelessly defended?

Terry McAuliffe, Mr. DLC, whose entire background in investments reeks of corruption?

The proof of Third Way corruption is in the utter cynicism, hypocrisy, and selectivity of their attacks. Your feigned outrage could be levied much more convincingly against a myriad of reeking *corporate* politicians....yet somehow it never is.

No, Third Way attacks are predictable based on the POLICIES of the candidates involved. Liberal, non-corporate-authoritarian politicians must be destroyed.

How refreshing to see Third Way hypocrisy and corruption finally unmasked.

[frazzled]

56. I don't think I've ever defended Terry McAuliffe in my life

I may (and I only say "may&quot have said I'd certainly vote for him over the Republican, if I lived in Virginia. And who, I ask, wouldn't?

I don't like Terry McAuliffe one bit. You must be confusing me with someone else.

[woo me with science]

57. McAuliffe's corruption is deep and thick and reeking and exceedingly well documented,

yet you have never commented on any of it. Now that he has been elected, he is already behaving like a corporate Trojan Horse. After spending the campaign talking about how he would use the budget to expand Medicaid, he is already backtracking and saying that he wants to work with Republicans, instead, so Virginians should know it might take a long, long time...

Va. Medicaid expansion still faces uphill battle, even after McAuliffe win
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2013/11/va-medicaid-expansion-still-faces.html?page=all

During the campaign, McAuliffe indicated he might try to expand Medicaid via the budget, the political equivalent of dousing all of Richmond in lighter fluid —Republicans believe that would violate the law that created the 10-member commission.

That’s not the tone his transition team is sounding. Spokesman Brian Coy told me he wants to build a foundation for Medicaid expansion, work with both parties and proceed with reforms collaboratively.

“He’s committed to this as long as it takes,” Coy said.

No, you never comment on McAuliffe corruption. Yet here you are like a moth to a flame in a Grayson thread, trying to spread disparagement based on....absolutely nothing by comparison.

You have joyfully participated in threads defending Rahm Emmanual, the king of corrupt special interests, and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the DLC maven with a very shady investment history. And you fervently and uncritically defend Obama's crony appointments and the revolving door into Wall Street that he has kept spinning throughout this administration.

Whom have you spoken of here with thinly veiled to overt disgust? Grayson. Warren. Of course. Politicians who challenge the surveillance state and/or corporate corruption in both parties. Should we go back in time? I'm sure the patterns would be revealing.

Bottom line: IT'S ABOUT THE POLICIES. For the Third Way, it's ALL about taking down real liberals and propping up corporate infiltrators and tools.

As I said before, it's a source of great joy to me that the country is finally waking up to Third Way lies and demanding politicians who truly represent the people instead of corrupt banks and corporations. It is nothing short of delicious that Third Way contempt for liberal, non-corporate-corrupted politicians has had to slither out into the sunshine as a result.

It's good to see the Third Way rock turned over and the real predatory agenda revealed.

[frazzled]

58. Oh, so now it's a sin of OMISSION?

I didn't say anything against him? Jeezus, I don't even care about him: I've never even BEEN to Virginia.

I am opposed to cult-of-personality slavishness, and I am opposed to the demonization that goes on here. I've never praised Emanuel, only defended him against stupid caricatures or things that were simply incorrect--and done so only because I happen to live in the city in which these things have occurred and know the details. Every politician—from Rahm Emanuel to Elizabeth Warren—has their faults: no one is a saint and none a total sinner either. But the standards need to be the same when you are praising or criticizing them.

Clearly you have your angels and demons (both myths I prefer to knock down). My allegiance is to facts and observations, not emotions. Sorry you think that's "Third Way." You're wrong about me, though. You don't even know me, buster.

Hate gets you nowhere.

[woo me with science]

62. LOL. Nice try, but it's a pattern of omission AND commission,

as clearly described in my post and reflected in the hive behavior of the corporate propaganda brigade in this very thread.

The predictable and even belligerent apologism, denial, and avoidance of even blatant, *reeking* corruption on the part of corporate Democrat after corporate Democrat would not be NEARLY as interesting without threads like this one...

....that illustrate the commission part of the equation: the desperate, utterly predictable, and utterly hypocritical attempts to smear ACTUAL representatives of the 99 percent, based on far, far less.

Thank you for your very illuminating posts here, frazzled. You've been a great help to me in making my point. I need to go fix dinner now.

[frazzled]

64. Wow, they should put you in charge of the DU show trials

so you can judge who is sufficiently committed to the proper ideological views, in your sole opinion (and with little evidence of anything.)

Frankly, I find you regressive in your political viewpoints, so LOL right back at ya. Thanks for making my point about the fake purity brigade! On with the purge.

Off to dine on my caviar and champagne—well actually, leftovers of a white bean and kale soup I made the other day (total cost: $3, feeds six), but whatever--it just proves I am a member of the corporate propaganda brigade. Jeezus Christ, the shit that people get create in their minds here.

[seveneyes]

61. I get what you are saying

There is still one simple solution to the problem of the needed $5 million dollars for his campaign...he could simply write a check for it. $5 million out of $30+ million would leave anyone quite comfortable for the rest of their lives.

[JNelson6563]

63. Will the DCCC target this race too?

Here in MI's 1st district we had a targeted race in 2012. Both parties poured boatloads of money into it. I'm just curious about this targeting.

I have no doubt the GOP would LOVE to see Grayson gone. Forever. I am glad he's on our side. Rock on Congressman! As a member of the working poor I have no money to send but I'm with you in spirit.



Julie