Saturday, July 24, 2010

Speaking of Campaign Contributions....by Geniusofdespair

Stephen Murray did a bang-up job analyzing City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff's campaign report. I couldn't have done it any better! He saved you guys a lot of time, with this labor intensive analysis.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a GREAT report. Especially with the Bright Lights Billboard polluting our skies in Miami! Thanks Sarnoff - you did good by you're contributors!

Your money and your mouth said...

What does a candidate do then?

If you have someone who is a good person, with good understanding, and they return every special interest check and don't get elected --- what good is that to the little guy who will be suffering the true special interest candidate's (and winner's) propensity to reward their donors?

I think it is time for the "little guy" to get off our collective butts and start putting something into their grass root candidates coffers.

We demand so much alliance to our ideals, but for the most part, we ignore the fact that our candidate needs the money to get their "message" (which is what we want shouted-out)so they can win the election.

As a community activist, I am suggesting that ALL of us people who expect their candidate to save the world to pick one who has a commitment to public service, who is open to listening to the facts and has the most positive experience for the seat they are running for.

Then work for that candidate. Raise money. Signs and mailers are not free. They are expensive. Put your money where your mouth is.

Hmmm. Doesn't that sound just like what the developers do? They seem to understand what the rest of us can't get.

While I do not have much money, I can manage to skip a trip or two to Mickey D's or Starbucks and cough up $25.00 for my candidate. I am asking my candidate to make sacrifices to get elected so they can carry my personal message to government.

Anonymous said...

VERY WELL SAID.... am tired of everyone critizising the candidates for accepting money from here, accepting an interview there, answering a questionaire here, going to a breakfast there.
Unless a candidate is rich enough that can afford to buy his/her way to office, then understand that the others need money and as much exposure as possible, to get their messages across the board.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the comments.....but, in this particular situation, when I saw the amount of money raised from the outdoor ad industry and the recent billboard vote, it makes one suspect.

Katy Sorensen herself said you take the money from donors and say thank you. She held pretty steadfast and took money from zoning attorney's, etc. Their contributions never affected her vote.

Community Activists cannot possible fund a County Commission Campaign. The money isn't there and these races take money. My issue is when the candidates take the funds and vote like Sarnoff did and that's something we won't know until after the someone is elected!

Anonymous said...

Sarnoff appears to have taken money from 25 to 30 people who make money from outdoor advertising. Is that why Miami is awash in new billboards and mural ads?

Anonymous said...

The commissioners should step up and pass legitimate campaign finance reform laws to level the playing field. Oh, but that would be proposing something fair, wouldn't it? I think the Miami Commission should lower the donation limit to $250 from $500 per person and knock out corporate donations. We see how many corporations certain individuals own when reading these campaign reports. It is quite fascinating.

Anonymous said...

For anyone who is interested, I've added a Part II to this report where I crosscheck the list to the registered lobbyists in the City.

http://stephenmurrayactivism.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/campaign-finance-report-part-ii-registered-lobbyists/

Anonymous said...

Stephen, thank you for your hard work and GoD too. In this election cycle and past elections, it's a real eye opener and I hope more reader's really look at these politician's/candidates a little more closely.

What you two, and probably other blog's too, are doing is going where the Herald won't!

THANK YOU!

Anonymous said...

Holy Sh*t-

25 or more $500 checks from people who want to put up more billboards and ads?

Anonymous said...

Anon: Actually it was more like 33 $500 checks. Crazy.

Anonymous said...

Does this mean Marc Sarnoff is no longer opposed to visual pollution?

Anonymous said...

Who ran around the country collecting 33 checks from outdoor advertisers for Marc Sarnoff? How could he get so many checks from NYC? Motive?