Steve, generally political action committees (PAC's) had been organized many, many years hence in countries all over the world, and more dramatically, in the United States, which in itself, is a young, growing country. What interested me by the Star article was that the first two small paragraphs stated "union". If I read the article correctly, and then referred to the police union in your comment, does this mean to say the police union, one out of nearly 300 labor unions in the USA that are active and formed their own individual political action committees, are forcing each and every member of that particular police union to have a PAC deductible from every paycheck per union member for their political action committee funding?

If I'm not mistaken, PAC's, as in this case, are considered segregated funds and should be on a voluntary basis only from payroll deductions. Unless the State of California or the Federal law dictates otherwise, something is confusing here. Can this police union literally force PAC-intended funds straight from the pockets of their union-police officer membership? Not from my pocket, they would not, if I were in this position!

To influence any election is a standard norm, Steve, and how well this is known in local elections. Any of them. Why now do you mention PAC's? Is something in the works already, setting-up for the next Fillmore elections?

I do not believe the Police Union can force its members to contribute to the newly formed PAC. All contributions are voluntary.

Not aware of any PACs being formed in Fillmore for this up coming election cycle. In the past some folks made hay over them. It was my intent to inform readers that PACs are legally formed for specific reasons.

Steve Conaway

Thanks, Steve...and I knew some PAC's that were formed for not-so-legal purposes, too. Same with election funding contributions and political intents.

Doing just a couple of minutes research, I found out the following:

Pro-Immigrant PAC's are causing their voluntary funding to promote illegal aliens and immigrants into the US, to assist them become US citizens, and circumventing the government's process.

Intent: Jerry Falwell's religious groupers and religions foundations were discovered by both the FBI and the Federal elections Commission for illegal activities of donations.

Intent: Nancy Pelosi's Leadership PAC was also fined by the Federal Elections Commission for inappropriate donations. She knew of this activity well before hand.

Intent: John Doolittle's Leadership PAC paid for his wife's corporation, a single-person corporation, Sierra Dominion Financial Solutions, 15% of all PAC funds raised. The FBI and the Federal Elections Commission finally caught this one!

Intent: Rep. Richard Pombo used his Leadership PAC to pay hotel and entertainment (including prostitutes) expenses for his friends and associates.

Intent: Hillary Clinton, another in-the-know recipient and person whose intents have not always (or ever) been above board, wished to back-off from her Pakistani friend, a US immigrant, who funneled $55,000 (an amount that is known, anyway) to Hillary R. Clinton's Presidential campaign before the FBI and the Federal Elections Commission caught up with him...and her. He fled the country and landed back in Pakistan before the FBI could issue an Interpol warrant.

Intent: Sara Palin's SaraPAC was also found by the FBI and the Federal Election Commission making illegal contributions.

So it goes. Reference to my 1-17-10, 11:30PM post above.

This might clear up who or what a PAC does/is in our town...

"Roger Campbell has had an active role in several local elections. In 2000, Roger was instrumental in the City of Fillmore ballot defeat of the “S.O.A.R. Initiative. In 2002 he ran an independent Political Action Committee (P.A.C.) to assist the campaigns to elected two pro-City Economic Growth candidates, Viegas and Smedley. Both candidates were elected. In 2004 Roger ran an independent P.A.C. for which the campaign succeeded in electing two pro-City Economic Growth candidates, Conaway, and Dressler, defeating the incumbent. In 2006 Roger’s independent P.A..C. elected one pro-City Economic Growth candidate—Hernandez".

What's the source of the quote? If you're trying to make a point, that's important to know...

The reference, Pancone, is called, "Hedging". Being vague or/and ambiguous. The style of thought is to allow those reader's minds to wander, like the happy hiker flitting around in the woods enjoying nature. Well, on the way to Manila right now. Car getting warmed-up before we hit the road...and it's early! Now 2:34 in the morning, Sunday. (Yawn). Catch you guys probably the first of next week...Wednesday, our time.

I'm pleased that you, or the person you qouted, recognize my postion. I've always been "pro-city economic growth" driven. The opposite would be what, anti-city negative economic growth? Sounds like a very nasty group to be associated with.

Steve Conaway