FEC SCANDAL BREWING!!!!!! @@@
Forgive me as I am not an election attorney by any means but I have to ask the question...
What is the point of the FEC when candidates and states blatently break the laws and seemingly point their fingers at FEC and say... "Now what are you going to do about it?" and the FEC absolutely does nothing everytime. Infact, can anyone show me some evidence of the FEC actually doing something about election fraud or election fund raising fraud.
Also, has Ron Paul taken a stance on the FEC? I personally think its just a government beauracracy, but would he plan to do away with it as well?
In a Washington Post article, it says: "Trevor Potter, told the Associated Press that he believes McCain has withdrawn from the system, that McCain will not adhere to spending limits, and that the FEC can't stop him."
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/02/21/fec_pose...
Also, what are the actual powers of the FEC? Can they imprison you? Raid your home or headquarters like the IRS does with guns? Would they simply fine you? Would they take you to civil court? Would they make you drop out of a race?
Forgive me if you think I'm trolling, but I think these questions need to answered because I for one, have no clue what they can and cant do and why they are even an agency when they blatently let corruption occur.
Most everyone here knows Hilary Clinton gets away with murder when it comes to Election Fund Raising....
I just think its awesome that we play by the rules and still crush everyone in fund raising! Keep up the good work troops... This is a r(EVOL)ution!
I think this is the real reason McCain got a lawyer...
This could be much bigger than the lobbyist thing. I read that he could certainly go to jail if convicted on FEC violations for up to like 5 years. I guess broke campaigns do desparate things.
Regarding the story About the FEC Chair
He has been fighting with McCain before. There are currently 4 vacancies on the board, and they can't get a quorum until Congress appoints replacements, which they haven't done in months.
I thought this story very interesting, and likely to last longer than the lobbyist story, even though it dropped out of the headlines very quickly, yesterday. The thing is, Democrats get to weigh in on the FEC appointments, and it's a great opportunity to keep the story in the news.
However, they may want to wait until McCain locks the nomination, or risk doing too much damage and giving an advantage to Huckabee or Paul.
It seemed to me that the FEC chair was hoping to force somebody's hand, maybe just to get the positions filled (he can't do anything by himself) or maybe to get back at McCain, or maybe just doing his job. But he said that McCain is obligated to limiting his spending to $58 (?) million, and that means, if enforced, McCain can spend no more on the primary.
IMissLiberty
IMissLiberty
Spoke With A McCain Supporter Today About This FEC Trouble
HIs repsonse was, "So?!?! Ron Paul is a lunatic and is not a consideration anymore." Thankfully this bloke has always been wrong about everything.
I think his thoughts reflect most McCain supporters in the fact that McCain is just using the system that is in place and it does not matter, becuase he is above the law like Bush. Many timees his arguement for the abuse of our government is that "If the American people really knew what was going on, there were be mass hysteria." Basically, the American people are too stupid to handle the truth.
Ron Paul believes the truth will set us all free and his message is really starting to take hold. We will win in the face of adveristy.
If we really have close to 150 candidates like Ron Paul's National Campaign Manager stated two days ago, then the sleeper of Ron Paul is making an impact. We will use the system against itself and will win.
Theres actually ppl who
Theres actually ppl who support McCain? Do they do drugs?
Just what we need an extension to the extension to the...
More government! So the FEC-federal election commission needs an extension to itself. So if you want to know if the FEC is operating properly go to the FECECECEC>>>>.
Is there anyone else hearing the alarm clock go off. The alarm is sounding on high volume and most are sleeping right through it.
WAKE UP PEOPLE !
Just google it :)
There is plenty of information about the actual penalties that the FEC can dish out to those who break the rules.
From what I see, the candidates themselves are subject to fines (in most cases), but the contributors are subject to fines and/or prison a lot more often.
In September 04, Tom Noe (a Republican political fund-raiser in Ohio) was sentenced to two years in prison for making $45,400 in illegal campaign contributions to Bush's primary re-election campaign. Some may remember this as 'Coingate' in Ohio.
Nothing happened to anyone on the campaign side of that case, because the campaign 'didnt know anything' about the illegal contributions.
Side note - someone gives your campaign $45k + in contributions, don't you think it would be wise to make sure it's legal?
Fines have all sorts of sizes. From $500 to millions of dollars, depending - it seems - on how bad the judge in the case is feeling that day.
The interesting thing that I've seen (mind you, this has been a very short search for information) is that, when an actual campaign or politician has been sited for illegal campaign activity which gets the FEC involved, the penalties for the crime are usually dished out without much fanfare - and long after the elected official has been in office. Too late to get them kicked off of a ballot, and too late to warn voters that they're dealing with a criminal.
There's a ton of information out there about this. Just search for 'fec fines', 'fec prison', 'fec penalties' and you'll get a bunch of info.
CF
Thanks
Thanks for the info, but convicting the candidate after they are in office seems a little contradictory to me. Its like saying.. "Oh yeah you cheated, and congrats on your win... and by the way.. pay us a couple million.. okay.. enjoy your place in government."
FEC is Unconstitutional
To all that are unaware of this fact, the Federal Elections Commission is unconstitutional. The Constitution give the Congress NO power to control elections, leaving that control to the states. The Tenth Amendment makes this very clear.
That fact doesn't really matter anymore. Does the FEC have a swat team ready to surround a candidates headquarters and burn it to the ground? I don't know.
I have heard that all question about the FEC ( Federal Elactions Commissions), are being referred to the FECES (Federal Elections Commission Extension Service). So if you want the truth, call FECES. I don't have their toll-free number.
Oh Sh*t!
Am I reading that right? Call FECES!!
Now, that was funny!!!
and there could be "more boys in the pond" than we know.
Good Question
Anybody out there that could enlighten us?
ding.
Your Move.
ding.
Your Move.
check this
I'll change the title and it will get hundreds of replies!
No one likes this thread obv
No one likes this thread obv
bumperoo.. because I would
bumperoo.. because I would like some answers
The FEC is meant
To control dangerous terrorist elements like the Libertarian Party. If the rules become inconvenient for someone like John McCain, he can just announce they don't apply to him now, and he's off scot-free! Yay!!!
JMR