Delay prompting Democratic Party asking for Democracy Bond contributions

[cascadiance]

I just now got an email from the Democratic Party citing Tom Delay's indictment as an illustration of how the Democratic Party is different from the Republican Party, in that they rely on contributions from ordinary Americans rather than other corrupting influences.

I feel that before they get any money from me though, I want to hear the Democratic Party *MAKE GOOD* on that notion that they depend on contributions from average citizens by declaring a divorce from the DLC and their corporate influence. Until that happens though, this sort of solicitation seems to be a bit hollow, to say the least. Here's the text of the letter. Perhaps we should get a petition to respond to this that all of us who are solicited for this contribution send a message back to them of how they might *earn* our contributions.

At the same time, I'd like to hear a statement from them on how they are going to be more firm on their opposition for Judge Robert's nomination than they have been, and be more supportive of their constituency's efforts to have anti-war demonstrations too.

Maybe someone wants to set up such a petition from DU or the like? It seems that this is as good a time as any to tell the Dems that NOW is the time to say that we are a DIFFERENT party that is *demonstrably* a different party like they are trying to sell here in this donation letter.

Perhaps we can set up a separate fund where we donate to it that is in escrow, until they make such a commitment, so that we can reward them only when they follow through on making good of not being a "corporate" party. The larger that fund gets, the more enticing it gets for them to become a true "Party of the People".

The text of the mail message going out:

From: "Tom McMahon, Democratic Party" <[e-mail]>
To: (me)
Subject: Republican Leader Tom DeLay indicted for conspiracy
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 16:10:15 -0500

The Democratic Party
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House Republican Leader Tom DeLay has been indicted for criminal conspiracy to violate campaign finance laws. This is a stark reminder of the difference between the two parties -- Democrats are committed to a party funded by ordinary Americans.

Stand against the culture of corruption and for a reformed political process -- join the Democracy Bonds community:

http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds

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Dear (me),

House Republican Leader Tom DeLay and two associates were indicted today for criminal conspiracy.

Specifically, the charge is conspiracy to violate campaign finance laws. The indictment is another stark reminder that Republicans have a lucrative money-for-influence machine that will do anything -- including breaking the law -- to funnel corporate and special interest money into their party in huge amounts.

People ask what the difference is between the two parties, and this indictment gives one clear answer.

Republicans are committed to pushing the legal limits to collect checks from special interests who want to use government for their own narrow purposes. Democrats are committed to funding our party with contributions from ordinary Americans so that when we take power, the government will represent the people.

You can make your personal commitment to changing the culture of corruption by getting your Democracy Bond -- a monthly commitment to contribute to the Democratic Party:

http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds

The Republican Party raises $10 million a month in huge checks from special interests who know they will get a return on their investment in the form of government giveaways and special privileges.

Even though committed small donors have revolutionized the way campaigns and organizations on our side raise money, the fact is that the Republican National Committee raises twice as much as the Democratic National Committee.

We will never compete with the money Republicans like DeLay can collect through conspiracy and corruption. That's why every single committed Democrat needs to make the Democracy Bond commitment:

http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds

The only way we will close the gap will be with a million people giving $20 a month.

A million people sounds like a lot -- and it is. But tens of millions of us already put so much of ourselves into the political process -- talking to friends, knocking on doors for candidates, writing letters to the editor of our local papers, and making contributions from time to time.

But we will only create lasting change if that sense of obligation and responsibility becomes a regular part of our lives.

That's the idea behind Democracy Bonds. We are building a community of people committed to a stable, healthy Democratic Party not just for this month or even this election cycle, but for the next generation. Join the Democracy Bond community now:

http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Governor Dean directed us to halt fundraising and divert staff resources to the relief effort. He asked you to contribute to the Red Cross, and staff members were deployed to the Gulf region.

The 24,819 Democracy Bond holders who provide financial stability for our party through their monthly contributions made that possible.

I cannot overstate how important the Democracy Bonds program is to the future of our party. This community of ordinary Americans committed to contributing whatever they can afford defines who we are as a party. If you haven't yet, please join now:

http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds

The indictment of Tom DeLay is just the tip of the iceberg.

This isn't just about clean campaign financing -- it's about who controls our government. This culture of corruption has dangerous consequences -- the Republican administration has shown us all too clearly what happens when political cronies occupy critical positions of power.

It's time for ordinary people -- whose money is wasted and whose safety is jeopardized by corruption -- to stand up and say, "Enough."

Let's stand together.

Thank you,
Tom McMahon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

P.S. Get the full story and latest news on the DeLay indictment:

http://www.democrats.org/delayscandal

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To make a one-time contribution, click here:

https://www.democrats.org/page/contribute

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Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.