July 11, 2006
Democrats Need Your Paperclips!
Here's an odd tidbit on the Washington State Democratic Party's webpage. It's a wish list for office supplies and such for their coordinated campaign offices (offices where state party-hired staff usually work with local legislative and Congressional campaigns). It's funny how the state party can pay for TV ads but it can't pay for simple office supplies.
I note this especially because I've worked directly as and with such field staff on the GOP side in the past. It really isn't that complex. You give the field staff a basic budget to meet their supply needs, expecting them to do it frugally and obviously with some donations, etc. But the magnitude of this online list seems to imply Democratic field staff will be spending more time foraging for printer paper and staples than doing their actual jobs.
Oh, wait...I guess that's not such a bad thing. Carry on.
Posted by Eric Earling at July 11, 2006
10:04 PM | Email This
1. I just love that the Bellevue office puts PLANTS in their top 10 list of things they NEED! Does that not just PERFECTLY describe the liberal mindset???
Everett is wholly unimaginative and copied Bellinghams list verbatim.
And then of course the anal Seattle office has a list with bullet points and sub-heading wishes, while the good ol libs in Tacoma NEED a BBQ grill and coolers.
Good grief.
2. Seattle wants a GW Bush punching bag? You mean someone isn't using theirs anymore? Wouldn't it be worn out by now? A couple other offices want US Flags seems strange no Che Guerva Posters? Are these guys too good to drink tap water? Not very resource frugal.
3. The Seattle list has oil and oil changes on it. What for??? Isn't this the party of "take public transit"? These requests are ridiculous. A reasonable budget would cover the paper, toner, and other basic office supplies, but the snacks, plants, and bottled water should be brought in by the staff.
Hmmm, maybe the Bellevue office is asking for plants because the ones they wanted to put in their office were confiscated by the fuzz. (But I am sure none of them inhaled.)
4. Don't they engage in elections every two years or less? Wouldn't some of this stuff already be available?
Out of curiosity, why would Seattle need parkas?
5. The Seattle group may have realized that all the hootin' and hollerin' about global warming is a bunch of crock and are preparing for the global cooling that is going to take place. Or they might use the parkas to fit in with the hip hop crowd (of course one would need the big baggy pants to complete the look).
6. I think it's kind of funny that the ad was paid for by the State Party...which takes PAC money. Perhaps they've finally found a way around Cantwell's no-PAC pledge?
Also curious was the Silverdale request for a "Democrats Sign"...
7. In 2004, I volunteered in the GOP's coordinated campaign office in Spokane. The RNC provided a computer and the local party moved some desks over from the regular HQ, but apart from that, I think everything in the office was donated or loaned.
8. Looks to me like this shenanigan fills 2 purposes.
1. It's a way to get around campaign finance laws - not only could someone donate that "new and unused" $2000 copier to the Democraps but then they can also donate the max ammount of money.
2. It frees up what cash is on hand for other uses.
As usual it's just another way for the lying Democraps to break the law.
9. plenty of $$ for wish lists--just eliminate benefits to illegal aliens in WA; how about listing cases of fortified wine for underpass-dwelling 'volunteers'? how about cutting that silly mandated arts funding in local projects? most of us as kids ran a more effective lemonade stand with less;
10. You sure the request was not for roach clips? What kind of "plants" man? Can't our Queen just executive order 'em some?
11. Have a heart. It beats breaking into the GOP campaign offices and stealing things ... like they did in 2004.
12. I couldn't find any request for an American Flag.
The reason I looked was, I couldn't figure out any reason they would want one. I wouldn't donate a used staple to a group that advocates
killing inconvenient unborn children in the US and then complains about the loss of life when American soldiers try to do their duty in defending America.
13. Does it get any better than this?
The Seattle office requests "polaroid cameras" and "polaroid film".
Who says these loonies aren't still stuck in the "60's?
14. Sounds to me like this is the tyical Liberal mindset. You give them a budget from other peoples money and they go through it so quick on useless things (i.e. in Cantwell's 2000 election bid they spent more on red vines than most spend on direct mailings) that now when they actually need things they need a supplemental budget. The problem they have discovered is that they just cant raise taxes to get these items like they normally would.
15. Actually, the "coordinated campaign" is a great end-run on public disclosure.
It blurs the distinction between recipients of funded benefits. So if a union, trial lawyer baby pac or enviro land-racketeer wanted to get money to targeted races without it being obvious, they simply become a participant in the "coordinated campaign".
Now you know.
16. A great lesson in campaign management from Mr. Earling. Surely, paid staff should be able to find time in their 14-hour days for trips to Office Depot rather than making bothersome phone calls. There's no need for willing volunteers to be a part of the process, they should just stay home and vote. And just look at these crooks: www.wa-democrats.com
17. Ben you miss the point. The point of this is that they had a budget and yet spent it and are now asking for donations yet they have plenty of money for ads. And before you go off on the whole culture of corruption perhaps you should look at this:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/15/AR2006021502752.html
18. Did they actually have a budget? I'm not so sure, the concept of a budget isn't something the tax and spenders understand. Maybe they're hoping for a donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These guys look to be in a world of hurt if they're asking for computers and printers. One can only hope...
19. TrueSoldier, what is your point? That they should spend beyond their budget, like Congressional Republicans?
20. The question is if you give these items is that not a campaign contribution? If so how do they track it? Is this another way to get around campaign finance laws? I dont know. The democrats have been fined numerous times for Election law violation. I guess they can push the envelop again. It will be interesting to watch.
21. Come on folks, enough already. With all of the problems facing us as a country, do you really think that this is the best way for us Republicans to spend our time - complaining about the inconsequential and irrelevant?? How about spending some of this human energy to propose ways to solve the fact that 1000's of Americans can't afford 3 meals a day, or that our aging baby boomers are about to hit retirement age and Social Security certainly doesn't cover the cost of living and neither do bankrupt or non-existing pension plans, or how about balancing corporate efforts to continue to fuel the world economy with competing in a global market, or how about (well you get the point). I think these are the REAL ISSUES that need REAL SOLUTIONS, not how the democrats choose to balance money contributions versus donated items.
Wake Up and provide some value, not just more STATIC NOISE in the system. We already have way too much of that for anyone's good.
22. OK Watson--points politely taken;
however, most 'problems' are traced directly back to personal choices made over many years--no retirement money? what were you doing all these years? not saving money? no nest egg? living big? all the latest gizmos?
no food at schools? schools' purposes are learning places, not food courts; what--cant pay for your food bills but have $$ to yack on the $100 cell phone plans and your apartment has 3 sattleite TV gizmos?
government cant solve all problems, but i suggest most of our domestic problems are our own cause--not saying 'no' to those extra things we all love; it's all about our choices; that's where the REAL rubber hits the road and most excuses evaporate;
23. I agree - all about choices. And the amount of brain washing (by the press, by TV, by advertisers, etc..) about how each and every one of us DESERVES the American Dream (which of course involves cell phones, $40K cars, computers, 3-meals a day at your favorite fast food joint, etc). I understand your argument, which at it's very basis is "Survival of the fitest", all persons for themselves. Unfortunately, that will end in Anarchy, which leads to civil war, and our own destruction anyways. So I think we are stuck taking care of those less fortunate (or less capable) than others of us one way or another. I prefer generosity, compassion, empathy over armed conflict, fighting EVIL, and self defence.
I believe our radical right wing brothers should be able to find references to my prefered qualities in the book they always reference. How about we actually try to live "the higher path".
24. Wake Up and provide some value, not just more STATIC NOISE in the system - "Bill Watson"
Sigh. I'm pretty new to the blog world but I wasn't born yesterday.
It's not hard to recognize posters who repeatedly post under different names, and often pretend to be Republicans.
And the libs are so easy to spot because they always SHOUT. The same as they do when you try to have a political discussion with them in person. That and their absolute lack of humor gives them away every time.
25. "The question is if you give these items is that not a campaign contribution?"
In late 2004 or early 2005, the Spokane County GOP PCOs got a lecture from some PDC guy who said that a volunteer can provide up to $50 worth of stuff without that having to be reported. Anything over that is an in-kind contribution and must be reported at the fair market value.
26. The Seattle wishlist also includes "Nuts". I wouldn't have thought those would be in short supply at Seattle Democrat HQ.
27. Response to Bill Cruchon:
Oh, okay so now it's you doing name calling. How about proposing solutions rather than calling me names. I'm here to participate in real dialogue about real problems. You?? Instead of labeling me one way or another, how about discussing the issue. I too just joined this blog and will be posting more over time (you can spend all day in here and I do have work to do. :-) ) But anyways, I'm committed to expressing my opinion for discussion sake, not static noise sake. That was my only point.
28. I don't think I called you any names, Bill.
This thread is about the goofy wish list the Dems posted about needing office supplies at their campaign offices. I don't think it was about "proposing solutions".
This latest post sounds just like the posts you make elsewhere under different names.
29. It seems to make sense to me to request donations for small items and if possible focus a budget elsewhere. Or, I suppose they could take a few hints from the Bush administration by setting a budget, ignore it, and then drive themselves into irreparable debt.
30. Wow a political camping that seeks to save money by having people make donations. Shocking. Simply shocking. Personally I wish they had spent money on those things instead of getting them for free. Which reminds me, I have to go drop of my donations (stereo, pc, office stuff). Thanks for the reminder!
31. So, come on Bill. Offer up a solution. Prescribe a remedy. Inspire us with ideas. You've got our attention. Show us how it's done 'cause it seems we're all way too venal and crass for y'all.
Good God! Help me man, 'cause I don't wanna be STATIC NOISE no more!
Stop me before I pontificate again!!
32. Yeah come on "Bill Watson", or "sin", or whatever other names you use.
Come out of your closet and engage in an honest discussion.
Oops, I almost forgot, that's the last thing you want.
33. I'm amazed at the stupidity of this thread, because its such a cheap shot. If people are willing to donate, because some don't want donate time--I don't see what the big deal is?
34. Why ask for people to donate things? They should just do what the Republicans do--go to some big corporations, get the rich execs there to donate the max to the campaign, then repay them by giving them corporate tax breaks and passing whatever legislation the contributors tell them to.
35. Yea!
Now you got it!
Or you could do like the Dhimmicrats do and launder your contributions through Tibetan monks or Chinese Nationals in exchange for nuclear secrets.
Yea, baby! Now we're cookin!
36. hey Watson, the "responsibility thing" does not lead to anarchy or your other global warming Krakatoa Doomsday predictions; it's scary to libs because blame can't be shoved off or some govt program can't 'compensate' for lack thereof;
as for Big Dave, tax breaks go both ways; does Big want to give up his Big mortgage writeoff or his Big self-employed or side business tax writeoffs? i think not; when Big & other libs get a tax break it's o.k.; stop the hypocracy; and Watson, yes, most of us try to live your 'higher path,' we just don't like those who whine on the path, make excuses & blame someone for their every failure--case in point--the hobgoblin called 'institutional racism' and a host of other "diversity issues;" they forget that having a path itself (America) is a blessing--most don't in the world;
37. Jimmie-
I don't have a mortgage write-off or business-tax writeoffs. I'm just a lowly working-class single white male; I don't get any tax breaks. But that's cool, I don't need them nearly as much as execs who make $5 million a year...I don't think paying taxes is such a bad thing, but if you're gonna cut taxes, do it for those who need a few extra bucks the most, not those who already make more in a year than most Americans will in their lifetimes.
38. Well gosh dave, you don't have a wife, a home, a business...why you must be a
loser! Wow, I really feeeeel for ya!
Just kiddin with ya, right?!