11/11/11

 

To whom it may concern

 

Re: Dissolution of Political Action Committee

 

            This letter will be emailed to the Editors of the VFW Magazine, our VFW Post 2680 Website and to the VFW Political Action Committee.

 

 

            Let it be known to all present, that VFW Post 2680 Chartered in 1932 in Placerville, California, has not been polled to see if we concur with the endorsements of the Political Action Committee for 2010.  In 2004 Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer won the endorsements of our Political Action Committee and these endorsements are being repeated again in 2010.  Prior to publishing the endorsements of these candidates by the VFW in the future, I recommend all VFW Posts in their districts be polled.  Otherwise, it makes it difficult if not impossible to recruit new members who disagree with these candidates.  Polling all of the VFW Posts would give us a voice in how our political contributions are spent and who wins our collective endorsements in the districts where elections are in progress.  For example, the PAC could give a percentage of our money and stated endorsement to each candidate as opposed to one incumbent.   

 

            Candidates may have voted for Veteran’s issues in the past and have received points in an outdated selection process.  However, the by-laws of the committee require other considerations in the endorsement process.  Not the least of which is the character and integrity of all candidates and whether or not they have other funding sources prior to receiving a VFW endorsement.  Our current work-around system (ie. the VFW is prohibited by Federal Law from endorsing candidates and thus the formation of the PAC) further outlaws the potential endorsement of newly announced candidates when we disagree with our incumbents.  The newly announced candidates do not have a previous voting record.  We should also consider how our incumbents have voted on all issues (not just Veteran’s issues) which affect the rights and freedoms of our Citizens under our Constitution.  How can we endorse candidates who vote programs into law against the will of the people?  Programs like the Health Care Program which is currently being challenged by several States as unconstitutional with regard to imposing fines on our citizens for failure to purchase private insurance policies.

            For the reasons stated above, the Commander of VFW Post 2680 fully supports the proposal and actions of Richard L. Eubank, Commander-in-Chief to rescind this year’s Congressional endorsements.  I further support his intended action as stated in his October 18, 2010 letter “to amend the by-laws at the 112th National Convention for the purpose of dissolving the PAC.”

 

 

Sincerely,

Larry E. Zumwalt

Commander VFW Post 2680