{Political_Views} Fw: More on the "Presidential Suite" Fundraiser

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Rockieball

To: me

Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 7:00 AM

Subject: Fw: More on the "Presidential Suite" Fundraiser

Yesterday, I told you about my Republican opponent's Wednesday fundraiser in the Presidential Suite at the Amway Center in Orlando. A suite that costs as much as $295,000 to rent for the year. Maybe you wondered, "Who but Mitt Romney has that kind of money?" Answer: My opponent's fundraising event was hosted by one of the most corrupt elected officials in the history of Central Florida. It was dirty money, recruiting more dirty money, for the cause of generating still more dirty money in the future.

My opponent's event was hosted by Ron Howse, who served one inglorious term on a local City Council. Howse depicted himself as an "engineer." His main expertise was "engineering" permits and zoning changes for local developers who hired him.

Florida's Sunshine Law, which Howse derided as "evil," required Howse to disclose his conflicts of interest. I don't know how many conflicts of interest Howse actually had, but he declared 76 of them. At one meeting, he declared a conflict of interest on seven out of the 13 agenda items. At another meeting, Howse declared 20 conflicts of interest. Which did not keep him from actually lobbying for such projects.

Howse, an elected member of the City Council, appeared before city advisory boards to push his clients' projects. Howse even asked to change meeting dates when they conflicted with appointments he had, to represent developers at county meetings.

Dirty, dirty, dirty.

The Attorney General found probable cause that Howse had violated the law. The politicized State Ethics Commission then voted 4-to-3 to let Howse off the hook. And Howse then had the gall to send the taxpayers a $6,900 bill – for his attorneys.

The local newspaper awarded Howse "the Saddam Hussein award for tact."

And what has Ron Howse done since, other than handing thirty pieces of silver to my opponent, and enjoying Howse's Presidential Suite at Orlando Magic games? Well, Ron Howse made so much money from his influence peddling that he actually bought a local football team, the Predators. And Howse was appointed Chairman of the Florida Transportation Commission. Just imagine the influence peddling opportunities there.

Why am I telling you all this? To make a point. There are two ways to pay for a political campaign. A candidate like my opponent can suck up to the Ron Howses of the world, take their dirty money, and do lots of favors for them in return. Or a candidate can appeal to just plain folks like you.

I choose to do the latter. Which is why I ask, again, that you please help our campaign today.

I think that we're going to win in November. But whether we win or lose, I want to be able to say this: I owe nothing to anyone but The People.

Your contribution to this campaign does buy something – something important. Not a zoning change, or a tax break, or a bailout, or a government contract.

It buys good government. Government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Pitch in. Help out. Do your share. Not only for all the good things that we can do, if we win. But also for all the bad things that my opponent can't do, if he loses.

You can call the shots. Or Ron Howse can. It's your choice.

Courage,

Alan Grayson

"Money, it's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands
And make a stash.
New car, caviar, four-star daydream.
Think I'll buy me a football team."

"Money," Pink Floyd (1973).