Creciendo Juntos needs to sue the pants off those low-lifes at the astro-turf firm, find out who they were working for, and sue the pants off them too.

What?

"and it doesn't have to disclose the information because it doesn't do direct lobbying of Congress."

So if I commit fraud, I don't have to account for the particulars as long as I don't lobby congress?
Deeply squirrelly notion.

Disgusting! These corporations have purchased our government! I pray that there are good people in politics who would rather serve a single term and change this nation for the better than to do nothing again and again while raking in huge amounts of cash from corporate interests.

The mid western blue dogs who can't raise big money within their states are getting huge payments from outside interest groups because a vote in the senate is a vote in the senate no mater what the population of your state is and it's easier to buy the allegiance of Dem from Montana who needs campaign money just to survive than it is to actually fight the merits of something like health care reform.

Looks like the corporations (or their lobbyists) have no shame, they will do any thing, use any dishonest tactic..(skewing polls?) any lie to protect the status quo and keep legislation in their favor and the money rolling in....they don't seem to care one little bit about the country or the people who live here...and these are the people that the Republicans and unfortunately quite a few "moderate" Democrats side with (for money of course!)....they want the Health of people to stay in the hands of the Health Care Corporations.. (and half the country is backing them! has to be pure unadulterated ignorance of facts) disgraceful! As I have said its not about right vs left, conservatives vs liberals...its going to take all of us, fighting to take our country back from the greedy stranglehold the corporations have on this country and its people...In ever crisis this country faces..financial, Health Care, climate, even the "wars" some greedy bastard in a Corporation is misinforming, manipulating and lobbying information to keep things just the way they are....

Isn't the idea that they don't directly lobby congress somewhat undermined by the fact that they were directly lobbying a congressman. And fraudulently to boot? In a way aren't they claiming that if they were being honest, sure they'd have to face scrutiny, but since they're lying about what they do, they can't be touched?

Ah Washington.

and this has been going on for how long?
anyone care to guess??

and how many other scams are ongoing?

a good time to push for a ban on all corporate lobbying of the congress.

The explanation is, the lobbying disclosure regulations differentiate between "grassroots" lobbying and "direct" lobbying (i.e., going in to see a congressperson or making a call on behalf of a client). That's to preserve the ability of everyone, no matter who they are or what their purpose is, to contact members of Congress by mail or phone, or to ask others to contact them, without being subject to disclosure rules. Otherwise, every ordinary Joe or non-profit group who spent a large amount of time signing petitions, making calls, sending letters, etc. would be required to register as a lobbyist and fill out disclosure forms. It's a loophole when it comes to situations like this, yes, but it's there to keep ordinary citizens free from the requirements.

Having said that, what they did is against the law and they should be prosecuted. And I certianly hope this leads to a greater scrutiny of all the stuff that pours in to congressional offices. I would bet a surprising and damning amount of the "grassroots" calls and leters they receive are actually coordinated by corporate/conservative groups.

One last point - Republicans have been making great hay out of the energy vote, and claiming there will be a "populist uprising" against the Dems who voted for the bill. It would be a good idea to bring this situation up every time one of them starts mouthing off about that....

It should be noted that Perriello is an impressive guy (and not just because he turned a tough district blue). From his bio:

After receiving his law degree from Yale University, Tom accepted an assignment working to end atrocities in the West African countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone, which had suffered long civil wars fueled by blood diamonds. Tom’s work with child soldiers, amputees, and local pro-democracy groups in Sierra Leone played a significant role in the peace and reconciliation process that ended twelve years of violence in that country.

Tom then became Special Advisor and spokesperson for the International Prosecutor during the showdown that forced Liberian dictator Charles Taylor from power without firing a shot. After this success, Tom served as a national security analyst for the Century Foundation. He has worked inside Darfur and twice in Afghanistan.
Changing the American Debate on Faith in Politics

Since 2004, Tom has helped to launch a political and social movement in this country that is credited with shifting the national debate about America’s moral priorities. He helped found FaithfulAmerica.org and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, which bring together faith communities to fight for children’s health care, supporting a higher minimum wage, environmental stewardship, and responsible solutions in Iraq. Inspired by the prophetic vision of Dr. King, Wilberforce, and Micah, Tom believes that America must reverse the erosion of our commitment to the common good and restore our understanding that our nation rises or falls together.

SUE THEM! SUE THEM INTO THE FUCKING GROUND!

Re-pug-li-cant's are nothing but lying thieves.
The people who sent this forged letter should be sued.
Could the organization sue them for using their name under false pretences?

I got a letter from the NRA saying they support restrictions on gun ownership ... What?? Well, it's what I want to believe anyway, so why should I question it...?

Hay may I remind you dudes that this is politics at its highes level.
Its not like someone is trying to buy a Senate seat or
sending a little girl to a public meeting on health care and mommy was a local financal officer of old stupidly's campaign.
Oh yea, some of you have a lot to learn about the non profit lieablity resposableity when it come to proof of docs..