Elton Gallegly (CA-24) supports students! The ones he likes, anyway.

If one wish were granted to me in this midterm election, it would be that Elton Gallegly be retired permanently to his little Simi Valley oasis with the high gates he built at campaign donors' expense to keep the riff-raff out. This is no secret to anyone who knows me -- I loathe Republicans who claim to represent my interests but won't take the time to hear what they are. I really loathe Republicans who represent big, wide, diverse districts with lots of working-class, taxpaying people in them but pander only to military, elderly and wealthy constituents. I loathe Republicans who reward special donors with million-dollar-plus earmarks. Gallegly does all of these.

But really, what I found in his campaign disclosures last night sent me into orbit. It seems that Gallegly's campaign made some donations to local schools in the area. Wasn't that nice? Only, the schools who received donations are in the more affluent areas of the district. Okay, let me say it straight. The schools who received donations are the ones with student populations which are mainly white. They also happen to be in the more affluent areas. 

It's one thing to ignore a constituent and repeatedly duck her questions about things you'd rather not answer, like why he thinks it would be perfectly fine for my son to be denied access to health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. It's entirely another to pull out the checkbook and write checks to school booster programs selectively, which is exactly what the man did, out of campaign funds. 

Here's a map of our district:

It's a big district. Lots of cities in that district. Other than the coastal strip, which is Lois Capps' district, Gallegly represents this whole thing. Take note of the various city names on that map. Ours isn't even on it, but we're included, as I'll explain in a minute. Here is a record of donations made during the third quarter from the Elton Gallegly campaign to some, but not all, local high school athletic booster clubs:

• Camarillo High: $300
• Newbury Park High School: $500
• Thousand Oaks High School: $300
• Moorpark High School: $300
• Oaks Christian High School: $600

As the parent of a high school junior, I can't tell you how angry this makes me. My daughter attends a high school in the general vicinity of El Rio on that map. She could go to Camarillo High but she loves her school. It's part of the same district, but the demographics are very different. Her school is quite diverse, with the majority of students coming from Hispanic backgrounds. We live in an agricultural area and the school is smack-dab in the middle of it, so those kids might be working in adjacent fields before and after school while still making good grades and managing to be good citizens. (Yes, that's right. The vast majority are citizens.)

My daughter's school scratches for every donation they can get. Renowned for their dance program (no other school in the district comes close), they had to cancel their winter show because of funding issues and are hustling with the fundraisers to manage a spring show. The band, where my son is a coach this year, is supported almost solely through parent and student fundraising.

Does Rep. Gallegly believe they're any less worthy of his support? On what basis did he choose schools to grace with a donation? Did he suppose any other schools in his district might also appreciate a donation from the man who is supposed to be representing ALL of them?

On a pure human level, I'm furious that he tossed a few hundred bucks at the kids in this area while overlooking the deeper issues we all have with regard to education and federal funding. I'm furious that he overlooked the schools with diverse student populations. I would rather that he had not given anything at all than to choose only a few, because this is the guy who is supposed to be representing ME and MY FAMILY including MY KIDS in Congress. 

If the donation pattern is any indication, it would appear that he doesn't represent all of us at all, but only those who fall into his comfort zone. There's something just wrong about that. Terribly wrong.

Let's hope this district wakes up and sends Tim Allison to Washington in Elton's place. In addition to being a Democrat, he's the kind of guy who actually listens to people without editing for skin color, accent, or the size of their wallet.

 

Comments

[Cynematic]

WORD, Karoli. I know you've been volunteering here and there (with all your spare!! time) for Tim Allison. Hope he wins!

[injaynesworld]

I'm in his district, too. He took money from the Chumash and supported the Casino, which unfortunately is in my neighborhood. About the only thing I ever liked about the guy is that he's really good on animal rights and protection issues. Too bad he doesn't care as much about middle-class kids. I'm definitely voting for Allison.

[ConcernedCitizen]

Karoli, Its obvious that you don't like Republicans and you don't like Elton Gallegly. You have made that very clear. However, you may have stepped beyond and outside the boundries of your 1st amendment rights.

We have taken notice and made copies of your many slanderous posts which are very similar in nature to your posts on various other web sites during the last months. Including your own blog. Your comments and opinions about Elton Gallegly rewarding "special donations" with special earmarks shown in your document above is a total fictional version which is mischaracterized by you and your internet law school educated attorney. Who is way over his pay grade on this one.

We have checked out your allocations. We have looked the actual government documents involved here which are public information. Those documents do not bear out your statements. If you wish to continue your outrageous and false comments about Congressman Elton Gallegly's alleged mis deeds in your public posts in this blog site and others. Then, you are leaving the local supporters of Elton Gallegy and his fellow contributors no choice but to take immediate action to protect Eltons Gallegly's reputation againist your unfounded misguided statements.

In addition, No request for donation was received by the Gallegly for Congress campaign for a donation for your daughters school.

[Karoli]

Dear Concerned Citizen,

Your threats do not frighten me. All information was taken from public documents. There is no evidence whatsoever that those donations were solicited by the schools in question, but even if they were, there is a meta decision that needed to be considered: If I give to one school, do I give to all schools? Or do I choose? Or what? None of those things happened that I can see.

FEC records are available for anyone to see. A no-bid contract was awarded to one of Gallegly's highest contributors, via a Gallegly earmark. Quid pro quo? I don't know. I only know that a bit of my taxpayer money paid for devices that were not requested, were not subject to competitive bid, and went to a company whose CEO is a high-dollar Gallegly supporter.

Further, other than taking a stand for animals, Gallegly has done nothing in 24 years. nothing. Zero.

[JerryMander]

Who's "we" Concerned Citizen? Sack up,identify yourself, or stfu. Imagine you actually accusing someone of going beyond their first amendment rights while no doubt defending any of the number of explicit threats of violence by your right wing nut job candidate. Pathetic. Stick to stealing yard signs, you obviously can't construct a sentence, much less intimidate anyone.

[JerryMander]

Err that was supposed to be *threats by your candidates(plural)

[ConcernedCitizen]

Got your message. No more conversation. Your motives are obvious. We will proceed.

[Tauniaadams]

Great of the patrons of the benefited school(s) to stand up for Gallegly. Stupid to threaten a blogger who wrote about public info.

ConcernedCitizen doesn't realize their email and ISP can be looked up and forwarded to Gallegley who will not approve of this blogger's attack in his name. The little funding gifts will likely cease for it. Your threats are undermining you.

See how that works?

[Coach Bags Sale]

Expreience keeps a dear school, yet fools will learn in no other.

[download windows pc]

Citizens who are not in favour of his leadership might protest against him; but if that is for the good, then nothing to worry about. There are some who were not contented of the services of the government. And that will lead to a misunderstanding and could create problems in a society.

[phoenix commercial insurance]

When you file your taxes, be sure to take your health insurance deduction.