When you donate to a Republican candidate, it’s quite likely your money will be used, not for getting the word out about how qualified your guy or gal is, but for legal bills to keep his or her butt out of the slammer.
Just look at Mark Foley.
Foley also had a political action committee whose purpose was to give money to other political candidates. Foley’s latest report shows he had about $14,000 in that account, which was run by his sister, Donna Winterson.
That money could be used in any manner the committee determines…
Last year, the Federal Election Commission issued an opinion that former California Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham could use his campaign money for legal expenses surrounding his conviction on bribery charges related to his congressional duties…
Federal election laws allow the use of excess campaign money for political purposes such as paying campaign staff, storage costs for records and contributions to other political candidates and political parties. But the money may not be converted to personal use, such as paying for rehabilitation for alcoholism.
Well, that’s a relief. But even if Foley pays for his own legal defense (which is a pretty damn big “if”), he’s still on the publicly-assisted dole.
In addition to campaign money, Foley will be entitled to his congressional pension. Based on his age and 12-year service in Congress, Foley would be eligible to receive a pension of about $22,600 a year beginning in 2010 — when he turns 56 — or about $32,100 in 2016, according to House staff and the National Taxpayers Union.
But think about it, friends. Foley’s got that money coming (no pun intended) for all his hard (no pun intended) work to keep our kids safe as chairman of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children (pun intended).
