Cleveland Billionaire Quietly Gives Millions (to Democrats)

[bleedingheart]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_265221.html

"Billionaire insurance executive Peter B. Lewis has largely eluded the spotlight, even though he is the most prolific contributor to the independent political committees.
Lewis, 70, of Cleveland, has donated $18.9 million to Democratic 527 committees attempting to defeat President George W. Bush, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan Washington, D.C.-based organization that tracks campaign financing.

Lewis' donations eclipse the $18.2 million contributed by George Soros, the better-known financier and philanthropist. "

Not all wealthy people are greedy opportunists...some are people like Mr. Lewis who care about the nation, it's people and the rest of the world.

As a side note this is Scaife's paper...I am sure it irks him...

[aquart]

1. Scaife doesn't understand it.

A rich person who believes in fairness to others?

[bleedingheart]

2. I agree, I am sure it gives him a headache..

Scaife's a rotten old bastard...

[Liberal Veteran]

3. They can't fathom the notion that some people understand...

...that you actually can have more money than you can possibly need or ever use.

[BayCityProgressive]

4. or maybe since he

is an insurance businessman he sees that Bush will be losing and needs special favors from the Dems. I doubt anyone becomes a multi-billionare by being charitable and giving to the community.

[jacksonian]

8. come on, 19 million dollars?

he could have made his point for a lot less than that.

[WhiteTara]

11. A functioning pothead

certainly takes of a lot of different points of view and comes
up with a human view of the world.  I think I'll check out
Progressive Insurance

[truthisfreedom]

13. bwahahahaa.

crazy sh*t.

[aquart]

12. That is the Republican, Social Darwinist view, yes.

BTW, who founded MoveOn.Org?

[Robert Oak]

14. the couple who made the flying toasters screen saver

[WCGreen]

18. No but he realized that, like the progressive Repunlicans

at the yutn of the century, Ameria has to be a land of opprotunity to all, not just those who have a head start.

I got to meet the man when I was writing a story about people who support the arts and other cultural endevours in the Greater Cleveland Area. He was enthusiastic about helping reshape the city into a dynamic 21st place to live.

He even upset the old gaurd by refusing to donate anything to any Cleveland Chariies until the Boards at these organization opened themselves up for more participation.

Bombshell.

He stuck to his guns and now Cleveland non profit community is stronger and more vibrabt because of him.

As for the Dem's, Since the early part of Bush's stay in the white house, Lewis has not been afraid to let his opinion be known. Even after 9/11. He's kind of like the midwestern version of Ted Turner......

Good man who cares deeply about his community and his country......

[asthmaticeog]

20. Peter B.'s the real deal.

Long time left-leaner, pot advocate, philanthropist, arts supporter. He didn't become a multi-billionaire by being charitable, he became a multi-billionaire in high-risk insurance. He gives to the community because despite all the pot, his head's on straight.

I sorely wish he and Soros would buddy up and start a cable news network, or at least lobby hard for the return of the fairness doctrine.

[liberalnurse]

5. Thats it! What a concept......

Repugs don't have a clue.

[debatepro]

6. Switch to progressive insurence.

If you can swing it.

[Tight_rope]

15. I concur...Progressive is an EXCELLENT Insurance company!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. Good Insurance Company

[President Jesus]

9. detailed history of Peter Lewis's campaign contributions

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=OH&last=Lewis&first=Peter

MoveOn must LOVE this guy!

[President Jesus]

10. Check this out: he donated $1k to * in 2000 and has not donated to JFK

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=OH&last=Lewis&first=Peter

[JI7]

16. seems like a Republican angry about Bush

that's why he focuses more on opposing Bush than being for Kerry.

[Quetzal]

17. He and George Soros

have what Slate calls f**k you money

[symbolman]

19. Anyone

got his phone number?

We could really use some help over at Take Back the Media.com

we mortgaged our house to fight these bastards.

so that makes me braver than some billionaire.

and hungrier :)

okay, so he reaches more people with his big money and his fancy city ways..

anyone got his phone number?

[pinerow]

21. You deserve it Symbolman...although I do not question his motives,

I do agree that groups like yours need to be fully funded...I like to think that the weed helps him in his charitable ventures...wish I had his number, I would definitely give it to you....

[crispini]

22. George Soros

has an email address on his website, FWIW.

[DuaneBidoux]

23. It's called self interest PROPERLY understood

Don't remember the philosopher who said it, but it essentially means that one realizes that a modern democracy that functions for all citizens offers more opportunity for those at the top as well. It's kind of like Henry Ford's enlightened moment when he suddenly started paying his workers 500% more than he had to in the prevailing wages of his day with the understanding this would allow them to buy the very cars they were making, and that this money would start circulating making the economy better for all.

I'm always distressed when I read a post (like several above) which implies that no wealthy person can be a decent person. It may be harder to be a decent person, but it is achievable. And for some people, it comes naturally no matter how much money they have.