Sunday, October 26, 2008
Bill Pascrell once again had his unique style on hand for the voters of Livingston last Wednesday. But I am not taking unique in a positive way, like an exotic jewel. Rather Bill's boisterous and condescending attitude is showing why he needs to start cashing in on the Congressional Pension Check sooner rather than later.
While his GOP opponent Roland Straten touted a reform message independent of Bushism and Pelosi-Pascellite politics, Bill yelled and screamed about Bush for an hour and then interrupted Straten when the challenger was giving a policy answer like a teacher correcting a student in English class. It was surprising the Congressman did not blurt out, "Bush Lied, Kids Died". Luckily, Straten got back at him, reminding Pascrell that he is not running against Bush but him.
The debate did not make Bill look good. In fact, after he stormed out, several Livingston Democrats confirmed what we suspected: Bill Pascrell is not their kind of Democrat!
Labels: Bill_Pascrell, Roland_Straten
1 comments:
Yesterday a Greek-language media outlet made some serious revelations about the activities of the Skopje Lobby and Congressman Pascrell ( http://www.greekamericannewsagency.com/gana/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3996&Itemid=83 ). I believe that based on this information and the investigations of the UMD by the IRS and Attorney General's Office in DC, we should request official responses regarding their conclusions and any decisions reached.
To recapitulate what was presented in the article, Bill Pascrell is the Democrat Congressman in New Jersey’s 8th district that has been successfully defending his seat since his 1996 election, thanks in great part to campaign contributions that have far outstripped his rivals. Mr. Pascrell received well over a million dollars for this year’s election, almost half of which from PAC’s.
Beyond the special interest contributions, Mr. Pascrell has received prominent support from the self-proclaimed “Macedonian” ethnic group that wishes to promote its agenda on Capitol Hill. With an honorary consulate in Clifton, the Former Yugolsav Republic of Macedonia and its honorary Consul Mr. Slavco Madzarov have sought to influence the Congressman with significant cash infusions.
Since 1999 Mr. Madzarov, officially an agent of a foreign principle per the State Department, and his wife have contributed individually more than $32,000 to Bill Pascrell’s congressional war chest. But that is just a small fraction of the money “collected” either through his employees or members of the community. More than $16,000 has been donated to Pascrell’s campaign from employees of Madzarov’s company, Slavco Construction, like Phyllis Jones. Ms. Jones, who did not reside in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District, donated $2,700 to Pascrell’s 2006 election campaign. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, in the 2006 Congressional elections alone, individuals associated with Slavco Construction contributed more than $17,800 to his campaign, making it the 3rd largest donor.
The support that Congressman Pascrell has received, regardless of accusations of campaign financing violations, has resulted in public support for the causes of this ethnic constituency, including attempts to form a “Macedonian Caucus” in Congress. Beyond the obvious motivation for the congressman’s positions, there are further questions regarding his involvement in behind-the-scenes activities by the leaders of this community.
Mr. Madzarov has run a successful construction business in large part because of contracts with federal and state agencies. Recent contracts include the Securities & Exchange Commission, US Military Academy, NJSCC Union City, Passaic, and Perth Amboy. Federal law prohibits campaign contributions from a federal government contractor.
In 2005, Mr. Madzarov received a 1 million dollar loan from the Small Business Administration for investments through his property at 164 Getty Avenue in Clifton. A short period of time later, that same location is housing the “Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Macedonia”, which Mr. Madzarov heads. Have American taxpayers funded the housing and operation of this so-called “consulate” via a SBA loan, and who is responsible for the statutory violations?
Obviously the close relation of Mr. Madzarov and Congressman Pascrell has only strengthened with the increased stature his honorary title conferred. In 2005 he used his influence to have Mr. Meto Koloski work for the Congressman as an intern. In Washington DC, Mr. Koloski founded the “United Macedonian Diaspora” under the non-profit provisions of the IRS tax law, and today works as a lobbyist for DLA Piper.
The IRS has placed stringent restrictions on the political activities of non-profit (501(c)(3)) organizations like Mr. Koloski’s. This however did not prevent the “United Macedonian Diaspora” from egregious and repeated violations through its lobbying initiatives. Beyond directly influencing legislators and asking members to contact their representatives in support of pending legislation, they have also hired the lobbying firm Foley Government & Public Affairs, Inc. (Senate Lobbying Disclosure Identification Numbers 15053-342 and 15053-354).
This repeated skirting and violation of US laws and regulations at almost every level cannot be ignored, especially by elected representatives.
Post a Comment