There's been a lot of talk here in Pennsylvania this year about our loathesome new Voter ID law and the impact it might have on suppressing the vote. And it may very well continue to do so, despite having been put on hold until after the presidential election.
Today, I got a postcard in the mail that makes me think another attempt at suppression is now taking place, this time to suppress political donations, and specifically donations to the Obama campaign.
This postcard came from a group called the Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network, which describes itself this way:
The Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network (PACAN, pronounced: P-A-CAN) believes that a free people deserve the right to free enterprise. We are dedicated to seeing that business owners maintain access to the American Dream, the ability to reward their employees, and the opportunity to unleash job creation through the growth of their businesses.
PACAN is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit, education and advocacy organization. It was chartered to increase understanding of the benefits of limited taxation and sensible business regulation and of the need for public leaders who understand the danger of abandoning these free-market ideals.
Among the activities this "nonpartisan" group brags about on
their website are these:
PACAN PLACES OBAMACARE BILLBOARDS TO REACH 4 MILLION, OFFERS $1,000 REWARDS FOR VOTE FRAUD INFORMATION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 8--Beginning this week, the Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network (PACAN) will be unveiling "Replace Obamacare" billboards across PA. First in Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley, PACAN's placements will remind a half million drivers a week to "Replace Obamacare," with plans to ramp up placements to reach 4 million viewers a week by the last week of October.
"The Congressional Budget Office is predicting that in 4 years, up to 20 million employer-sponsored plans will be cancelled because of Obamacare," said Matt Balazik, Managing Director, "Our members have been worried that Obamacare's goal of a single-payer insurance market will affect their ability to keep a competitive advantage by offering exceptional health care plans to their employees and their families."
Also this week, PACAN is opening up a vote-fraud-reporting hotline (717-441-4388) and offering individuals the ability to print their own polling place signs advertising $1,000 rewards for information leading to a voter fraud conviction.
"We are asking voters, 'if you see something, say something.' Doing the right thing by reporting election fraud, which hurts everyone, is a civic responsibility that comes with its own reward. But, we'd like to let individuals know that there are folks out there who will support you and are very thankful you are willing to come forward, because not everyone will," added director, Skip Salvesen.
I received a postcard from this group today.
The front side has a picture of President Obama in the background, with the following statement in all caps:
"IF YOU'RE RECEIVING THIS, OBAMA FOR AMERICA RECENTLY REPORTED YOUR NAME & ADDRESS TO THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISION (sic) AS A DONOR."
The
other side reads:
"IF YOU DID NOT DONATE AT LEAST $218 TO OBAMA FOR AMERICA, PLEASE CALL THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMERCIAL ACTION NETWORK'S ELECTION FRAUD REPORTING HOTLINE: 717-441-4388"
I called the number listed on the card, and got a very official sounding voice telling me if I have "just witnessed a crime or a crime in progress, to hang up immediately and contact a local constable or election day authority" to come take care of it.
Now, as it turns out I actually donated more than that, and I am fully aware that my donation history is public information that can be easily found on the web, so this will not prevent me from donating more in the future. However, if I were not aware that this is public information, getting a postcard like this could potentially be a very scary and intimidating thing. OMG, I've been reported to some kind of election commission? For donating to the President's campaign?? And it could be construed as some kind of voter fraud because they got the amount wrong? I'D BETTER NOT DO THAT AGAIN. Especially not if I'm a small businessperson (which I am). What if this puts my business at some kind of risk??
This is just pathetic. And ugly. But mostly pathetic.
Thu Oct 25, 2012 at 7:39 AM PT:
Update: PACAN has responded to this diary entry on its Twitter account (@AmericaWins):
"No reasonable person should feel intimidated by PACAN's donor integrity project. http://bit.ly/...
Fair enough. I hope PACAN doesn't feel intimidated that I have reported the postcard to the Obama campaign, as well as to several news outlets.
Also, a quick glance through their Twitter feed very clearly shows this group is NOT nonpartisan. Not even close.