As Seen In D.C.

March 20, 2016 7:32 AM

LobbyWOW! turns political bribes into totally legal campaign contributions! LobbyWOW! is perfect for any issue, and works on politicians from any party. You’ll say WOW every time! Get LobbyWOW! and turn your millions into literally billions! (SLYT)
posted by jammy (13 comments total)

didn't we delete this one yesterday...???
posted by HuronBob at 7:56 AM on March 20, 2016

didn't we delete this one yesterday...???

Youtube! turns unacceptable FPPs into totally acceptable sign my petition posts!
posted by Talez at 8:00 AM on March 20, 2016 [6 favorites]

Mod note: Mods gave the okay to repost without the petition attached. Carry on with discussing the actual post.
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 8:02 AM on March 20, 2016

Made me emit a painful laugh!
posted by languagehat at 8:17 AM on March 20, 2016 [1 favorite]

So a 501(c)(4) created for lobbying that doesn't disclose donors opposes 501(c)(4)s that lobby and don't disclose donors.

Got it.
posted by jpe at 8:29 AM on March 20, 2016

Actually, per the represent.us site they disclose donors that give more than $1,000. Good on them.
posted by jpe at 8:30 AM on March 20, 2016

They have an interesting structure. Represent.us, the org behind the website, is a 501(c)(4) that "educates" the public about campaign finance and lobbies for a bill they've drafted. Donations to 501(c)(4) organizations aren't tax-dedudible, of course, but! They have a 501(c)(3) affiliate. That (c)(3) affiliate does get tax-deductible donations, and then turns around and donates to the 501(c)(4). In 2014, the (c)(3)'s donations to the (c)(4) amounted to 87% of its contribution revenue, and represented 80% of the (c)(4)'s contribution income.

I'd imagine they have internal controls in place to make sure that the 501(c)(3)'s assets aren't being used for non-charitable purposes, but either way it's a neat trick.
posted by jpe at 8:53 AM on March 20, 2016 [3 favorites]

He had me at caysh.
posted by Sphinx at 9:48 AM on March 20, 2016 [7 favorites]

You tried voting, but that NEVER WORKS! You tried calling your Senator? I bet you haven't, you useless piece of crap...

God damn. God damn.
posted by Cookiebastard at 9:55 AM on March 20, 2016 [3 favorites]

"Donations to 501(c)(4) organizations aren't tax-dedudible, of course"

I think only single cartons of milk and peed-upon rugs are tax-dedudible.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 12:20 PM on March 20, 2016

Just as an aside, it is my understanding as a board member that some donations to 504(c)(4) volunteer fire departments are tax deductible.
posted by wintermind at 12:38 PM on March 20, 2016

Volunteer firefighter groups are, AFAIK, about the only exception.
posted by jpe at 5:06 PM on March 20, 2016

This seems to need more people struggling with everyday tasks, but maybe that's in the extended version?
posted by Mezentian at 5:30 AM on March 21, 2016 [1 favorite]