[Sosfbay-discuss] [Fwd: Whose Congress is this?]

[Gerry Gras]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Whose Congress is this?
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 13:07:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: Green Party of the United States <office at gp.org>
Reply-To: scotty at gp.org
To: santaclara at cagreens.org



[Green Party]

Whose Congress is this?

Anyone who still thinks that either of the two major parties represent
the interest of Main Street rather than Wall Street should take a look
at how much money the members of the US House of Representatives who
voted for the "No Tycoon Left Behind" bailout bill have raked in from
the same financial sectors responsible for the whole mess in the first
place.

According to The Center for Responsive Politics, lawmakers who voted in
favor of the bailout bill have received on average 51% more in campaign
contributions from sources in the finance, insurance and real estate
industries (FIRE industries) over their congressional careers than those
who opposed the emergency legislation.

In this election cycle, the 140 House Democrats who voted for the
bailout bill collected 78% more from the FIRE industries than the
Democrats who opposed it. The data shows that, over their careers, they
collected 88% more. While the gap is smaller on the Republican side,
those who voted yes on the bailout bill got an average of 23% more in
contributions from the FIRE industries in this election cycle than House
Republicans who voted against it. In the long run, they got 53% more.

When it comes to raking in cash, party leadership fares even better.
House Financial Services Committee Chair Barney Frank (D-MA) received
nearly $800,000 this election cycle from sources in the FIRE industries.
Ranking Republican committee member Spencer Bachus (AL) received
$822,000 from the FIRE industries this election cycle and $3.7 million
since 1989.

Unlike the two corporate parties now running Congress, Green Party
candidates accept no corporate contributions. When in office, we will
not be owned and bossed by Wall Street fat-cats. Green Officeholders are
free to vote for what's best for us, the American people, instead of the
Wall Street insiders who now run the show.

But to make your voice heard, we need your support. If your
Congressperson voted against the bailout bill, thank them. If they voted
for it, tell them how you really feel. Support Cynthia McKinney/Rosa
Clemente and other Green Party candidates on the ballot in November; and
donate to our future today.

*Please forward this message*

[Donate to GP Fund]

The Green Party takes no money from real estate companies, investment
firms, or insurance companies; In fact, we don't take any corporate
money because we think corporate money in politics is wrong. If
you￿agree, please help us today.

Email:
<mailto:office at gp.org>
Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free
(US): 866-41GREEN