Who Does Tom Petri Represent?
Posted by politicalpartypooper on March 10, 2011
Congressperson Tom Petri (R-WI) sits on the leadership committees for Transportation and Infrastructure.
In 2010, all five of his largest supporters came from groups that would directly benefit from legislation that Petri had influence in. Those largest industries were as follows:
Top 5 Industries, 2009-2010, Campaign Cmte
| Industry | Total | Indivs | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transport | $108,450 | $250 | $108,200 |
| Railroads | $47,500 | $2,000 | $45,500 |
| Transportation Unions | $39,500 | $0 | $39,500 |
| Construction Services | $38,500 | $0 | $38,500 |
| Building Trade Unions | $23,000 | $0 | $23,000 |
At first glance, it would seem that the Republican distrust of unions is only relevant when unions are not giving them money. Otherwise, unions are just fine. Our second glance shows some very disturbing data. First, of all of Petri’s fund raising efforts ($737,000 for 2010), over 70% of it comes from PACs. That’s special interests, in case you were wondering. Who would have a special interest in Petri? Why, transportation and infrastructure, of course! The very sector that he helps oversee.
Why would industries within the Transportation and Infrastructure be so “interested” in Petri? Why would would they shower him with campaign money? Is it because he’s a good guy? Is it because they believe in his politics, and want to show their undying support of him?
Hardly. They bestow these gifts upon him in an effort to influence legislation that he has oversight on. Of course, Tom Petri would never admit that. It’s amazing that Petri can hold a straight face while he tells Wisconsin that he’s going back to Washington to make sure we are well represented. That list of owners…ahem…donors, indicates otherwise. It indicates that powers outside of Wisconsin’s 6th District have more of Petri’s attention than the State that sent him to Washington.
Whatever shall we do about that? Ω
POLITICAL PARTY POOPER 
Ollie Green said
Is Petrie a CONSERVATIVE? BIG difference between being a RINO and a conservative.
politicalpartypooper said
Not when it comes to who is paying for their campaigns, there isn’t. Go to Open Secrets.org, and you will see that nearly EVERY Party politician is owned by special interests.
Ollie Green said
And who are “special interests”? We all belong to one special interest group or another. Some may have the same goals in common that you do or I do. Are you willing to outlaw this? Are you willing to violate the Constitution over something like this? I agree that both parties are corrupt. As Churchill once said, “Democracy is the worst form of government-aside from all the others that have been tried”. Quite frankly, I don’t know how you get rid of corruption. Everyone is born with a pure heart, but winds up greedy in the end, and you cannot outlaw greed.