The idea of a Ham PAC is intriguing. It suggests a new way to open doors for our message. On the other hand, there are only a limited number of balls that we as an organization can juggle successfully. Before we commit to juggling another ball we need to either be sure we are up to the task or drop one of the existing balls. At the very least, creation and operation of a separate entity to form a PAC to support the interests of ARRL members will present an additional administrative burden replete with rule upon rule that must be followed to maintain PAC status and protect ARRL as a 501c(3) organization.

I don’t have any direct experience in creating or operating a PAC. I do have a bit of familiarity with the manner in which LAWPAC operates in Minnesota and I have about 15 years experience as Treasurer of the campaign committees of a person who was successively a long time Minnesota State Representative, Speaker of the MN House of Representatives and a Judge of the MN Court of Appeals. For the record, the Judicial Campaign Committee didn’t accept PAC funds. Back to my point. An amazing amount of money flows through these campaigns, even at the state level. The amounts escalate rapidly for Committee Chairman and are near obscene for the Speaker. Unless you are talking significant amounts of cash the “seat at the table” can be so far down from the candidate that you need a telescope to see him.

With 435 Members of the House and 100 Senators to consider I wonder if $25,000 or $50,000 would have much impact. Even at $50,000 it averages less than $100 a member. If our goal is to get a chance to present our message it seems to me that we may be a whole lot better off trying to identify and enlist Amateurs (preferably of the dyed in the wool variety) who are already have some entrée or relationship with various Representatives and Senators.

Finally, while cash may help open the door in politics it is no assurance of success. With apologies to W5JBP and K5RAV I’ll pass along something Molly Ivins , a veteran observer of the Texas Legislature (the “Leg”) relates in her book “Molly Ivins Can’t Say That Can She.” Ms. Ivins quotes an old time Texas politician as saying “If we can’t take their money, drink their whiskey, fool around with their “wimmen” and still vote against them we don’t belong in the Leg.”

Jay, KØQB