| This model describes Jim Alesi's fundraising, but you can pretty much apply a similar one to any member of the GOP Senate caucus. From the good folks at Rochester Turning:
This is actually quite a clever, if sneaky, way of getting you and I to contribute to Alesi's campaign twice. Here's how it works:
1) We pay taxes
2) They go into a slush fund, out of which, Alesi gets $3.9 M (for 2005-2006, which is the latest I could find from The Albany Project's very handy pork spreadsheet)
3) Alesi gets to look like a hero for funnelling some of that ca$h to various high-PR value interest groups (like the Jazz festival), and gets his name on things
4) The interest groups kick back money directly to Alesi's campaign fund
Like I said, this model works with just about the whole Senate GOP caucus. Just switch the names and you'll find the community groups that receive taxpayer money and then kick some of it right back to their benefactor. it's a nice trick having community groups and non profits essentially launder public money for political purposes and it happens all the time.
Had enough?
On the web: David Nachbar for State Senate. |
