WHAT THE #$%^& IS A PAC?
A PAC (Political Action Committee) — is an organization that pools campaign contributions and donates those funds to campaigns for candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation. Most PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests.
A Super PAC is a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.
Which are you?
We are a Super PAC. This means that we can receive unlimited contributions but we cannot work in direct coordination with a specific political candidate. A Super PAC influences politics by providing independent expenditures.
Hmmm...go on.
PACs have been around since 1944, when the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) formed the first one to raise money for the re-election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The PAC's money came from voluntary contributions from union members rather than union treasuries, so it did not violate the Smith Connally Act of 1943, which forbade unions from contributing to federal candidates.
Essentially, PACs raise money to fund their political activities and may make direct contributions to certain campaigns. State PACs are governed by state laws while federal PACs operate under the rules of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Okay, so how does it work?
PACs aren’t as complicated as they seem and that’s the whole point of this ragtag group starting one. And once you know how to navigate them, they can be really helpful in pushing forward an initiative or piece of legislation or supporting a candidate.
A PAC can work in direct coordination with a candidate and is subject to strict regulations by the FEC or state law, meaning the organization receives limited funds from groups or individuals and follows strict disclosure laws.
I feel skeptical about a PAC--how do I know you aren’t up to no good?
Yeah, we feel that. If you are like us, you have probably heard about PACs in a negative light, especially with something like Citizen’s United. They are often used for evil, no doubt.
However, PACs are also a tool that can be used for good when the limits of nonprofit or grassroots organizing are hit. PACs sometimes get a bad rap, but we believe a PAC can be used to provide much needed help and resources to a campaign, ballot initiative or piece of legislation.
Put it this way: our group is made up of grassroots folks who believe in the power of big organizing, not big money. But we also recognize that money can help move the ball forward in a way that opens up a new level of work to be done.
So how do I know you aren’t using this for say, purchasing a $15,000 ostrich coat?
Great question. First and foremost, none of us really think ostrich is a good investment. But more importantly, when it comes to spending money, PACs have to keep detailed records, showing exactly where every cent has come in and where it was spent. We must report our spending to either the appropriate state or federal agency. Reports must detail salaries, advertisements, supplies, rents, day-to-day operational expenses, and so on.
Furthermore, having a legal structure such as this allows us to better serve and support the issues we care about. We are committed to transparency, access, and making politics cool again.
Oh cool. So if I support y’all, it is tax-deductible like a nonprofit?
Nope! Any donation to Political Rascals PAC, Inc. is not tax-deductible. Unlike charitable donations, which are tax deductible, donations to a political party or PAC are NOT tax deductible. The IRS states, "You cannot deduct contributions made to a political candidate, a campaign committee, or a newsletter fund.
We don’t make the rules, but we damn well make sure we follow them!
So wait, why the hell are you doing this?
Not too long ago, a few us of came across a flyer for a local political fundraiser where the price tag to attend was $19,800. That is about 84% of the median income in Savannah, which is $25,960. That is offensive. Politics should not be a game you get to play only if you have the wealth to do so.
We're never gonna have that kind of money, but we're hopeful that we can raise a reasonable amount of money in small donations and through double-bottom-line e-commerce, and use it to support proven, on-the-ground strategies and candidates we know have the capacity to change the status quo. If we link our small money to big organizing, we can make real change happen.
Anything else I should know about a Super PAC?
Political Rascals PAC, Inc., is recognized by the Federal Elections Commission as a Super PAC, meaning we can raise funds but cannot directly donate to candidates nor coordinate with them. If you want, check out our philosophies and ways of doing things.
Political Rascals PAC, Inc.
FEC Committee ID: C00686022
A Super PAC is a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.
Which are you?
We are a Super PAC. This means that we can receive unlimited contributions but we cannot work in direct coordination with a specific political candidate. A Super PAC influences politics by providing independent expenditures.
Hmmm...go on.
PACs have been around since 1944, when the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) formed the first one to raise money for the re-election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The PAC's money came from voluntary contributions from union members rather than union treasuries, so it did not violate the Smith Connally Act of 1943, which forbade unions from contributing to federal candidates.
Essentially, PACs raise money to fund their political activities and may make direct contributions to certain campaigns. State PACs are governed by state laws while federal PACs operate under the rules of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Okay, so how does it work?
PACs aren’t as complicated as they seem and that’s the whole point of this ragtag group starting one. And once you know how to navigate them, they can be really helpful in pushing forward an initiative or piece of legislation or supporting a candidate.
A PAC can work in direct coordination with a candidate and is subject to strict regulations by the FEC or state law, meaning the organization receives limited funds from groups or individuals and follows strict disclosure laws.
I feel skeptical about a PAC--how do I know you aren’t up to no good?
Yeah, we feel that. If you are like us, you have probably heard about PACs in a negative light, especially with something like Citizen’s United. They are often used for evil, no doubt.
However, PACs are also a tool that can be used for good when the limits of nonprofit or grassroots organizing are hit. PACs sometimes get a bad rap, but we believe a PAC can be used to provide much needed help and resources to a campaign, ballot initiative or piece of legislation.
Put it this way: our group is made up of grassroots folks who believe in the power of big organizing, not big money. But we also recognize that money can help move the ball forward in a way that opens up a new level of work to be done.
So how do I know you aren’t using this for say, purchasing a $15,000 ostrich coat?
Great question. First and foremost, none of us really think ostrich is a good investment. But more importantly, when it comes to spending money, PACs have to keep detailed records, showing exactly where every cent has come in and where it was spent. We must report our spending to either the appropriate state or federal agency. Reports must detail salaries, advertisements, supplies, rents, day-to-day operational expenses, and so on.
Furthermore, having a legal structure such as this allows us to better serve and support the issues we care about. We are committed to transparency, access, and making politics cool again.
Oh cool. So if I support y’all, it is tax-deductible like a nonprofit?
Nope! Any donation to Political Rascals PAC, Inc. is not tax-deductible. Unlike charitable donations, which are tax deductible, donations to a political party or PAC are NOT tax deductible. The IRS states, "You cannot deduct contributions made to a political candidate, a campaign committee, or a newsletter fund.
We don’t make the rules, but we damn well make sure we follow them!
So wait, why the hell are you doing this?
Not too long ago, a few us of came across a flyer for a local political fundraiser where the price tag to attend was $19,800. That is about 84% of the median income in Savannah, which is $25,960. That is offensive. Politics should not be a game you get to play only if you have the wealth to do so.
We're never gonna have that kind of money, but we're hopeful that we can raise a reasonable amount of money in small donations and through double-bottom-line e-commerce, and use it to support proven, on-the-ground strategies and candidates we know have the capacity to change the status quo. If we link our small money to big organizing, we can make real change happen.
Anything else I should know about a Super PAC?
Political Rascals PAC, Inc., is recognized by the Federal Elections Commission as a Super PAC, meaning we can raise funds but cannot directly donate to candidates nor coordinate with them. If you want, check out our philosophies and ways of doing things.
Political Rascals PAC, Inc.
FEC Committee ID: C00686022
