There is an interesting report out of Minnesota where Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., has been found to have just one donor from his district in the last round of political contributions. The rest of the donors for the 18-year-term incumbent and chairman of the Transportation Committee are from Washington and other areas. The sole donor came from Pine City, Minnesota.
For the purposes of full disclosure, I filed a new action two weeks ago on behalf of hundreds of senior pilots. Oberstar features prominently in the lawsuit, which discusses how he is a major recipient of money from ALPA the pilot’s union. ALPA officials have bragged that they got Oberstar to put in language virtually verbatim as they had drafted it. The language stripped senior pilots of their benefits and seniority. Oberstar has worked to block the return of senior pilots, as demanded by ALPA — even after we succeeded in getting Congress to rescind the original Age 60 rule. Oberstar effectively added a new Age 60 rule at the behest of ALPA.
He is currently in a tight race with Republican Chip Cravaack, a former Navy and Northwest Airlines pilot — showing him just three points ahead.
Between June 22 and Sept. 30, Oberstar was given only one contribution from a member of his district — a Jane Robbins of Pine City gave Oberstar $500 on Aug. 22. The rest of the $233,102 dollars came from outside donors.
Source: Washington Examiner
the best politicians money can buy
Mistake.
Meant to say,
You’re right rcampbell
rcampbell 1, October 18, 2010 at 12:12 pm
My pilots friends tell me that those pilots under 60 don’t want those over 60 blocking their opportunity to get the seniority/pay/perks reserved for the most senior pilots.
You’re rcampbell, or they don’t want to get bumped back to
a first on same equipment, or bumped down to Captain on smaller equipment…
I can’t believe the hostility.
Should be “before June 22.”
It may be true from June to September, but Mr. Oberstar got a lot more before June 22 and Sept. 30
To find who what and how much:
http://www.opensecrets.org/index.php
Bud
“That is incredible that ALPA (Airline Pilots Association) does
not support returning the over age 60 pilots to flight duties.”
My pilots friends tell me that those pilots under 60 don’t want those over 60 blocking their opportunity to get the seniority/pay/perks reserved for the most senior pilots.
Old fashioned politicking … let the voters, the constituency do their thing.
Isn’t that the way it should be?
Now, if only journalists would work that way too.
http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2010/10/american-freak-show.html
Oberstar is the son of a miner. When he was growing up the miners and the steel companies were literally at war in Northern Minnesota. The people that grew up in that environment who were the children of miners became 100% union, and that is how Oberstar operates today.
I think the public is discounting advertisements this election.
“ALPA officials have bragged that they got Oberstar to put in language virtually verbatim as they had drafted it.” (from the article)
Arrogance abounds. Hubris.
(Thanks for the additional information/insights, Swarthmore mom and others.)
This is not exactly true because politico’s list does not include small donors Oberstar is one of the most pro-labor reps in congress. Years ago I did not like Oberstar and supported a more liberal candidate in the primary. Things have changed so much that maybe a pro labor, pro single payer, pro cap and trade rep isn’t so bad. I never thought I would be defending Oberstar.
What Buddha said
I guess Mrs/Ms Robbins figured she might as well get her beak wet.
SO……
Swarthmore Mom:
that is a very good point. When I looked at his website I figured that was probably the reason. They support him with their votes so he really doesn’t need campaign money.
“ALPA officials have bragged that they got Oberstar to put in language virtually verbatim as they had drafted it.”
I worked for the National Stone Association in 1987-88 and this was going on then. In my opinion all of the trade associations do this as we used to team with other associations to write laws for congressmen in the interest of our members.
Sue every trade association in DC and get a law passed that says only members of congress can write laws with no help from staff or outside agencies/firms/businesses. Lobbying groups, in my opinion, have done a great deal of damage to our country.
It looks like Oberstar raised very little money because he did not expect much of a race. I worked for a democrat that ran against him in a primary in the 1980’s. We did not win. Oberstar is most comfortable in a union hall. His district is largely working class, and the United Steel Workers are strongly behind him. I doubt he loses, but he will lose his committee when the republicans take over.
Let’s follow the money in Michelle Bachman’s coffers.
And therein lies the problem of lobbying for cash in a representative democracy . . .
You get what somebody else pays for.
Professor,
That is incredible that ALPA (Airline Pilots Association) does
not support returning the over age 60 pilots to flight duties.
Absolutely stunning.
I can recall years ago hearing ALPA screaming discrimination because pilots had to retire at 60 years.
Good luck, to you and the over sixty pilots.