How Corruption Affects You

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Sign our letter to Congressman Holden: Give the Dirty Money Back!

Congressman Tim Holden just introduced a bill to allow industrial farmers to dump animal waste into the Chesapeake Bay. According to the Republic Report, he then immediately received $16,000 in campaign contributions from the National Turkey Federation, the National Chicken Council, Dean Foods, and other polluters.

We’re sending this letter to Congressman Holden, asking him to give the dirty money back. Will you help us by co-signing?

Dear Congressman Holden,

In March, you introduced a bill in Congress to allow industrial agriculture to put more waste into the Chesapeake Bay. Over the following six weeks, you received $16000 from industrial agricultural interests.

  • March 7: You introduced a bill to kill EPA efforts to regulate cross-state industrial farm pollution into the Chesapeake Bay.
  • March 12: the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives gave you $1,000.
  • March 26: the National Turkey Federation PAC gave you $2,000 (in addition to $1,000 earlier this cycle).
  • March 26: the Cotton Growers PAC gave you $1,000.
  • March 26:Dean Foods Company PAC gave you $2,500 (in addition to $2,000 already given to you this cycle).
  • March 30: the National Chicken Council PAC gave you $2,000 (in addition to $1,000 given to you earlier in the cycle).
  • March 30: the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association gave you $2,000.
  • April 11: the National Corn Growers PAC gave you $2,500.
  • April 13: the pork industry’s Pork PAC gave you $3,000.

While not necessarily illegal, these actions suggest that you are engaging in legislative favors and hoping for campaign money as a result. Please clear the air and return this money so your constituents and the American public know that you cannot be bought.

Regards,

United Republic &
Add your name here

 

We’re going to deliver this to Holden’s office, with your name on it. He’s got a big vote in his primary campaign coming up, so this kind of activity can actually have an effect!

This is a great opportunity to show America what kind of corruption goes on in our government every day. Will you help us spread the word?

We’ve drafted a sample letter to the editor that you can send to your local paper.

Corruption is disgusting. In this case, literally.

Thank you for helping us fight it.

Get Involved

Comments

  • Lorenzo

    This moron should be arrested, Tried and convicted with a nice fine and imoprisioned

  • Randy Langon

    This is a prime example of corporate greed and political corruption. This self serving congessman Holden has made a negative impact on peoples lives and our environement. I am deeply offended by his actions. This next election  we must rid ourselves of people like this in government. I would like to see a recall for Holden , he is working for too many people. Leave politics and go work for them.YOU have done an injustice to our country and therefore are and anti-American. Go home now!
    Randy Langon

  • JG

    As a small farm producer, I subscribe to the philosophy that one of our first priorities remains to be good stewards of the land, NOT pollute the planet.

    • Sherco

      It is so refreshing to hear from a caring farmer.  Thank you for being a great steward of the planet and I hope you are well patronized and sell whatever you produce.

  • Filene Lehman

    At least some of us care and get involved!  Look at my blog.  http://PonicPods.com  We try to educate and do our social responsibility!  Care deeply friend!  

  • http://twitter.com/campycampaneris Jack Hillyard

    This is precisely what is wrong with our Congress. It’s downright Un-American.

  • Darsilver

    This congressman should do the right thing and if he can’t find the ***** to do so, then he should be challenged in the next election cycle and let’s see how much legitimate money we can raise to defeat him.  Let’s hope his next job isn’t farming.

  • lyris

    Holden is a DINO.

  • Roosevelt Gill

    We need more active people like yourself watching these people because they only have their own interest in mine, not the interest they claim to represent.

  • Laughinggirltwenty6

    I have very little use for Blue Dog Democrats like Tim Holden.  Why don’t they just get honest and switch their affiliation to Republican since they are determined to act the part?  This guy is in the next county over from mine – on the same Cheapeake tributary (Susquehanna River), a very conservative district.  Democrats are scarce around here, but what good is a Democratic Rep. to the area if they don’t vote like one?

    • Tjb

      This is typical political behavior in this land. The republicans have no monopoly here. The system self selects for people who will do this because they MUST do this to stay in office. You are playing into the polarization that the parties thrive on and as a loyal democrat you are too quick to blame the other side. If the subject matter here was less “republican” would you care if he got his pockets lined for the vote or would you be thankful for the power of others to influence your government in a way you actually agree with?

    • TAEKWONRON11

      Are you joking me Laughinggirltwenty6, you think corruption is unique to a certain party. You are the kind of weak minded ideological sheep the government loves. Don’t you see how both parties(not to mention the media) get their base fired up about the “evil opposition”. This is to take your attention off of their shady dealings,and lack of accomplishing anything meaningful for our country! Wise up my fellow American.  

    • Miss Ecology

      The PA primary is April 24. Matt Cartwright is running against Holden in the Democratic primary. He seems like a decent guy. He is in favor of the Affordable Health Care Act, making corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share and creating jobs. He is against the Halliburton loophole, that allows gas companies to hide the chemicals they use in fracking.  Check him out at Cartwrightcongress.com. 

  • SandraLakeman

    Tim Holden, don’t you care anything about our enviroment??? the cheasapeake is a very beautiful watershed and you should be ashamed of what you have done to allow businesses to dump into it. what is the world coming to??? 

  • EZnTn

    I can’t believe a congressman can be so ignorant as to allow, much less propose, legislation such as this. I pray your constituents are aware of your proposed idiocy. I’ve only one request of you; that being you need to swim and drink the water near where these polluters would be dumping this untreated waste. You might change your mind.
    Yes, our congress, the best money can buy.

  • Harold Ward

    Our legislators are supposed to represent the public but not private industry.
    Harold Ward

  • West Winds

    We need to put people like Tim Holden out of our government. Some say that government is bad. I don’t believe this. I believe bad people who are in and running the government make it bad government. The government is necessary to administer restraints on corporations and the banking system. But people like Tim Holden make a mockery out of government by taking graft and allowing their important position to be up for sale. Mr. Holden has proved he does not have the correct and respectful attitude toward the authority which is vested in him through his position in our Congress. Thus, Mr. Holden has lost the right to be in the Congress. Get rid of him!

  • Mhartvan

    Congressman Holden is only one of so many politicians willing to destroy our beloved earth for their own personal gain in wealth and power. The American people must not tolerate the destructive behavior of our ‘elected’ officials any longer. It is time for these bums to be fired! Every last one!

  • guest

    It surprises me that such huge organizations & businesses have donated such piddling amounts.
    I guess that congressman Holden doesn’t really know that it’s really him thats having the “waste” dumped on.

  • Midniteridr

    Tim Holden, give the money back and start doing what you were elected to do which is to represent the people. Do you consider big business to be the people? If you do you are on your way out buddy. We the people are tired of this mess and we are gonna fight back, and we are gonna take back control of OUR govenment. You have been officialy warned.

  • anotherlimey

    Shameful….this is NOT the way to run a democracy.Buying and selling favors must STOP NOW!

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/3DSAQK2PY45YMLOKWBQEOHHN4Y Joe

    You are willing to sell out your constituency to keep your job?  Do you think they are to ignorant to understand what you are doing? 

  • Dan

    Exactly why term limits should be instituted, and corporate finance needs reforming, not to mention, how the ex congress….  are now lobbyists working for and greasing the wheels of corruption since corporations are now people too

  • Howard Brazee

    Corruption is the problem.

  • Roydavis2008

    I strongly recommend that United Republic identfy/select some of your brightest minds within your staff and have them perform an extensive historical research into which party or both, participated in all of the corrupt scandals that historically cost the working class/taxpayers billions/trillions of dollars starting from the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION to present. This should include: lawmakers that past laws(rigging the system) to benefit the rich ie millionairs/billionairs receiving social security benefits, gradual increases in their tax deduction/tax loopholes, offshore bank accounts(tax free). One economist estimated the amount to be four trillion dollars in off shore accounts.

    For example, the TEAPOT DOME, the  SAVINGS & LOAN, the LOVE CANAL, and CONTRAGATE etc. The list is endless and may dominate one or both parties. Thomas Nast(not sure of the spelling) was a great news satire cartoonist that exposed numerous corruption cases/scandals(I believe late 1800s/early 1900s).

    Moreover, what most people do not understand for every dollar a millionair/billionair that do not pay in taxes(loopholes) is subsidize by the working class. For example: a person can make a million dollars in a year and after all their tax loophoes pay ZERO in taxes with the middleclass having to pay for the lost revenue.

    ” I never saw a poor person ever create a job”. Every time a poor person or middleclass person make a purchase(consumer) of every type of product or service, they are either maintaining someone’s job or creating one.

    At one time we represented the largest consumer market in the world.

    “Government does not create jobs”: Another lie! Take a good look at all of the weapon systems within DOD arsenal. Every weapon system is contracted to produce that weapon system, who in turn hire people to fabricate and assemble that weapon system(The Military Industrial Complex). And finally paid for by all of the legitimate tax payers. 

    No I am not communsit, just an INDEPENDENT/CONSERVATIVE SUPPORTOR for the MIDDLECLASS.

    NationallY and Internationally, CORRUPTION IS OUT OF CONTROL!

  • Jeff Morris

    Corporate Fascism?  The best Government money can buy!

  • Steve Dickheiser

    I am appalled at pollution of any kind
    and for this guy to be a Democrat almost embarrasses me. Usually a
    Koch-like controlled official or supporter would be just fine with
    pollution so business of any kind, except that which might hinder
    their bottom lines, can cut expenses… The best politics money can
    buy.

  • Stevekroh

      Feel free to take their money – just make sure they dump their waste in YOUR front yard.

  • Dana

    So Holden can be bought by turkey gizzards why don’t they sell it as fish chum they could have
    saved the $16,000 and made more money.    

  • Bmorrisonb

    Let’s face it.  Aside from the corruption issue, if we keep dumping our garbage into our waterways, there will come a day, sooner than we think, that they will not be able to sustain life.  So goes the ocean and lakes and rivers, so goes us.  

  • ejdbuzz@gmail.com

    I’m a disgusted life-long democrat. Thanks for soiling the nest! As a retired government employee, I spent me career striving to avoid real or perceived unethical behavior. It takes only one screw-up like this to tarnish my rep and that of thousands of conscientious Feds. Thanks a hell of a lot

  • Yerby

    Tim Holden’s actions are beyond disgusting.  Nobody prospers by polluting and destroying our planet.

  • neverlast

    I believe that this is what is known as pink slime, right or wrong?

    • Dana

      Yes but when it is cooked it’s “Chicken McNuggets”  they don’t serve turkey mcnuggets but does it really taste like chicken?

  • Jay

    This is a heinous bill, promoted by a bizarre philosophy that has invaded our politics, written by GOP philosophers and others!  They are like the many headed mythological hydra, you can maybe kill one, and then a dozen other equally or worse heads [bills] grow somewhere else.
    Believe it! If President Obama loses in 2012, our country will be unrecognizable. We have to get out there and work hard to defeat any and all GOP candidates!!
    When I was a kid and just learning about politics, this would clearly have been illegal!  Can someone explain how exactly this is now legal???? Bribery? What happened?  Why is it not illegal for legislators?

  • chilller

    It should be dumped in his front yard.

    • Dana

       Dumping in his front yard is pollution but in our yard is OK !  In this case will the price of turkey/poultry go down obviously not.  What next mix oil with dispersant and then dump it.

  • Drynberg

    How about practicing democracy, not corruption?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000528099885 Matt McCay

    Chesapeake bay is shallow, warm, and certainly does not need any more “fertilizer”. It should be cherished and protected by our so called leaders, not sold out for personal profit. Disgusting.

  • Jdept

    it is so obivous that politicians have no idea what a working class family goes through to make a living so here’s an idea: if you want to be a legislator, you must spend somewhere between a week and a month with a low or middle class family prior to running for office. you will sleep with them at their residence. eat what they eat. go to work with them. basically live in their shoes, walk their walk.

  • Kegoth

    this is a sign that our polititions are willing to take money for any bad idea that comes along. politicions without morels. lets poop in his drinking water by sending our comments,and let them know they are all being watched by the voters.

  • Mikefromaz

    I cannot believe the disgusting way these polluters act.  They have been fighting hard to bring Chesapeak bay back to the magnificent, oyster beds, crab population, and fishery that it once was.  Additionally, the aspect of unpolluted waters attracts tourism, and undeniably improves the life quality of the people in the area.  So a few “special interest” concerns want to dump huh?  Fine, let them dump their garbage in their front yards.

  • Scexpo

    Sooooo What’s new?

  • Jeffw545

    Political corruption that what Government is all about. It all about what they can get and stay in office. They don’t care about the People. Just the money that they get and keep them in office. He should be kick out of office for being corruption. But that how they all stay in office. 

  • Audrey Stanley

    Thanks to those who research these things and let the country know what goes on not only in Washington but in the states also.
    Sent to Naples Daily news and Las Vegas Review Journal

  • Lowell Watson

    It is to bad the polititions cannot run on there own merit.  Curruption like this gives capillition and free market a bad name.  It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court ruled money talks!!  Mafia style Gov.  You cannot tell me they knew exactly what they were doing.  I wonder how they and who paid them OFF’  L Watson

    ( 
    ssupreme c 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1522786448 Scott Cannon

    Holdens dirty commercial press conference http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-778800

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