Who's Backing Who?

**Mike_Walter** · 06-26-2012, 04:18 PM

Want to know who the political activists are among your neighbors, the ones who open their checkbooks for presidential candidates? Click on the following link, then click the map circle for Indiana, then the circle for the 467** ZIP Code, then the name of a particular candidate:

http://www.fec.gov/disclosurep/pnational.do

All contributors should be listed, although the list might lag behind a month or so.

barohar · 06-27-2012, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by Mike_Walter

Want to know who the political activists are among your neighbors, the ones who open their checkbooks for presidential candidates? Click on the following link, then click the map circle for Indiana, then the circle for the 467** ZIP Code, then the name of a particular candidate:

http://www.fec.gov/disclosurep/pnational.do

All contributors should be listed, although the list might lag behind a month or so.

Why? What purpose is there in this information? I can understand the need for transparency but what purpose does it serve to "know who the political activists are among your neighbors?" Do we plan on segregating the democrats from the republicans? Or are you just trying to stir the pot to see what you can get started? Most of the time I understand the intention of your actions but this one eludes me. If their political beliefs didn't affect how I felt about them before, will it, or should it, matter now?

**Mike_Walter** · 06-27-2012, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by barohar

Why? What purpose is there in this information? I can understand the need for transparency but what purpose does it serve to "know who the political activists are among your neighbors?" Do we plan on segregating the democrats from the republicans? Or are you just trying to stir the pot to see what you can get started? Most of the time I understand the intention of your actions but this one eludes me. If their political beliefs didn't affect how I felt about them before, will it, or should it, matter now?

If you aren't interested in knowing, then don't bother checking.

**WatchDog** · 06-27-2012, 04:36 PM

Citizens making political contributions are not "activists" sir. Actually, a post of this kind by an elected city official is closer to activism and is not appreciated.

**Mike_Walter** · 06-27-2012, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by WatchDog

Citizens making political contributions are not "activists" sir. Actually, a post of this kind by an elected city official is closer to activism and is not appreciated.

Not appreciated by whom? By the same bunch that didn't like it when I published the Auburn municipal salaries? The ones who didn't like it when I published links to the Toxic Release Inventory and the Farm Subsidy Database? In other words, the people who don't appreciate it are the ones who (for whatever reasons) do not think that the public has a right to know anything that might make them more effective citizens.

barohar · 06-27-2012, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by Mike_Walter

Not appreciated by whom? By the same bunch that didn't like it when I published the Auburn municipal salaries? The ones who didn't like it when I published links to the Toxic Release Inventory and the Farm Subsidy Database? In other words, the people who don't appreciate it are the ones who (for whatever reasons) do not think that the public has a right to know anything that might make them more effective citizens.

Sorry. The public does not have a right to know my political beliefs or contributions. Not because I'm trying to hide anything but because it's none of their business. How the government spends my tax dollars for municipal salaries is one thing, what I do with my personal funds is not public record nor should it be. So since I'm contributing to a political party does that mean you're entitled to know my salary as well? And for the record, I work too hard for my money to give it to any political party.

**WatchDog** · 06-28-2012, 04:36 PM

Mr. Walter, my point is simply that I don't appreciate your choice of words. "Activist" and political donor are not the same thing. Knowing what political donations my neighbor makes does not make me a "more effective citizen".

One could read your comments here and walk away with the impression that you are trying to pit people against each other. As I stated, I find that unbecoming of an elected official.

**ARMYMPVET** · 06-28-2012, 06:57 PM

I find it offensive that because someone disagrees with you you have to lump us all all together as a group who does not want the public to know anything. As "barohar" states, my contributions to a political party is NOT a matter of public record and therefore none of your business. You state that the people who dont appreciate your postings of this nature are the same "bunch" who did not appreciate municipal saleries being posted and the posting of the Toxic Release Inventory. If I remember, I asked you if you knew of a website that showed acceptable human exposure to these chemicals, no response was given. You have used the phrase "effective citizen" in a couple of postings now. Is this a phrase you came up with for those people who agree with you without question? Give me a break.

**HoosierHelen** · 06-28-2012, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by ARMYMPVET

I find it offensive that because someone disagrees with you you have to lump us all all together as a group who does not want the public to know anything. As "barohar" states, my contributions to a political party is NOT a matter of public record and therefore none of your business. You state that the people who dont appreciate your postings of this nature are the same "bunch" who did not appreciate municipal saleries being posted and the posting of the Toxic Release Inventory. If I remember, I asked you if you knew of a website that showed acceptable human exposure to these chemicals, no response was given. You have used the phrase "effective citizen" in a couple of postings now. Is this a phrase you came up with for those people who agree with you without question? Give me a break.

Do we as a community benefit more from votes placed by informed citizens or the uninformed citizens? Inasmuch as we are committed to live with the results of our elections and under the laws established by these elected representatives, I am much more comfortable when those placing votes have taken the time to be knowledgeable of issues at stake and individuals being voted upon. Does this make them more 'effective citizens'? You Betcha!

**HoosierHelen** · 06-28-2012, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by barohar

Sorry. The public does not have a right to know my political beliefs or contributions. Not because I'm trying to hide anything but because it's none of their business. How the government spends my tax dollars for municipal salaries is one thing, what I do with my personal funds is not public record nor should it be. So since I'm contributing to a political party does that mean you're entitled to know my salary as well? And for the record, I work too hard for my money to give it to any political party.

For those of us who do not wish to be identified publicly with our politicians of choice, we have now been given the convenience of donations thru PAC. (The Devil does offer disguises). :-)

**Mike_Walter** · 06-29-2012, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by barohar

Sorry. The public does not have a right to know my political beliefs or contributions. Not because I'm trying to hide anything but because it's none of their business. How the government spends my tax dollars for municipal salaries is one thing, what I do with my personal funds is not public record nor should it be. So since I'm contributing to a political party does that mean you're entitled to know my salary as well? And for the record, I work too hard for my money to give it to any political party.

Anyone's contributions to a presidential campaign are public record, as the link I posted clearly shows; and anyone's contribution of $100 or more to an Indiana candidate must also be reported. A contribution to the Little Sisters of the Poor is a private matter (unless the IRS asks to see your receipt); but a contribution to Barack Obama or Mitt Romney is not. As Helen points out, however, disclosure of an individual's contribution to a superpac is not required...yet.

Originally Posted by WatchDog

Mr. Walter, my point is simply that I don't appreciate your choice of words. "Activist" and political donor are not the same thing. Knowing what political donations my neighbor makes does not make me a "more effective citizen".

One could read your comments here and walk away with the impression that you are trying to pit people against each other. As I stated, I find that unbecoming of an elected official.

"Activist" is not a perjorative term. An activist is someone who is active in a cause, and spending money for a cause is an important form of activism.

Pit people against each other? You mean that information divides people, but ignorance keeps them united?

**ARMYMPVET** · 06-29-2012, 08:45 PM

Helen, I have always found your post to be thoughtful. I agree 100% that informed persons make wiser choices, but I also believe that one can be over informed. In this day of 24 hour news and social media a person can be overwhelmed with information and loose sight of the goal. Councilman Walter, I stand corrected in my statement that my contribution is not a matter of public record and I apologize for my remarks.

**ARMYMPVET** · 07-01-2012, 02:34 PM

I do have one further item to add to this post. All arguements and finger pointing aside. I accept that my name is posted online for political contributions. Fine. This does not bother me. But let me ask a simple question. Armed with this information, what are you going to do with it? How does knowing what I conribute make anyone more effective? I see this information having a very negitive potential, employers looking up an applicants contribution information and using that as a hire / no hire basis. I stand by my apology to Councilman Walter for my earlier remarks. I usually research better than that. I just do not see this being used in a positive manner.