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Is Bill Nelson Building a Donor List off of Hurricane Relief?

October 16, 2018 - 3:45pm
Bill Nelson
Bill Nelson

The devastation in the Florida panhandle left in Hurricane Michael's wake has been heartbreaking. Lives are in chaos, and any help that can be sent is needed and welcome. That's why questioning what's behind Sen. Bill Nelson’s motives to drive donations to the area has been difficult for me. Nobody, least of all myself, would want to curtail dollars sent in to help the storm victims of the panhandle.

But there is a curiosity when a running candidate, such as Democratic incumbent Sen. Nelson, is not merely petitioning for people to donate to causes, but to do so through the channel of the Democratic Party. There's a bit of cynical gameplay that seems obvious when Nelson and the Party can benefit from the good will and largesse of others. 

Just after the landfall of Hurricane Michael, Nelson posted a tweet that, on the surface, you can't take issue with. He was compelling people to give to a number of suggested charities helping out in the afflicted areas. Certainly, that seems all well and good. But in clicking on the link he provides, you are taken to a page with a list of notable non-profits, none of which is a direct connection to said charities.

The page is for Act Blue, the fundraising website for the Democratic Party. What you are being redirected to is a page to decide which charities you would like to donate to, and then instructions to make your payment to Act Blue, which will send your donation in. The question here is, why should you have to go through the middle man -- in this case, the Party?

Why is there this proxy in order to give to those helping out in the storm zone? Why would Nelson feel the need to install an additional layer to the giving process unless there is a benefit for the Party? It seems apparent what they may be doing is compiling a donor list via those giving to the charities in the area, finding a way to compile data for their election needs in the process of charitable acts.

I am not implying there is some form of graft at play here. I do believe the money is being delivered to the intended organizations. But there is a bit of unsavory opportunistic benefit on behalf of the Dems to involve their fundraising division like this. 

While it does deserve notice that he is highlighting worthy groups to receive any help, note that Nelson is not providing the direct links to the groups. It makes no sense to involve Act Blue in the act of donating to those intended -- why this need to give AB your money, so they can then give it to your intended target? This is adding another unneeded step in the process, another layer of bureaucracy, and it has to be done for a reason.

One of those charities on the Act Blue donation page is Team Rubicon. This is a group delivering boots-on-ground relief work of varying degrees directly in the impacted neighborhoods. They employ military veterans to work in an emergency capacity, with completely transparent financials. This was a group I personally donated to just after the storm. I went to their web site, and donating took no more than 90 seconds.

What I can't figure out is, why would I have gone through a third party such as Act Blue, giving them my funds and relying on a political-activist arm of the Democratic Party to then deliver my donation? In a crisis situation, what is needed is a streamlining of any process, and that certainly involves receiving goods and funding to aid in the recovery in the quickest method possible. 

Adding red tape is the opposite of the intended goal, and seeing a group seeking any kind of benefit in the aid-delivery process is only going to raise questions.

Brad Slager is a Fort Lauderdale freelance writer who wrote this story exclusively for Sunshine State News. He writes on politics and the entertainment industry and his stories appear in such publications as RedState and The Federalist.


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Comments

During Nelson's last two terms in office, what has he really accomplished that was news worthy? Are we to continually vote for him because he zipped around in space. He has done nothing for S.S. but blames the Republicans. The Dems have already spent S.S. to pay for welfare. It's time for him to be retired so he can enjoy his home in Winter Park.

I’ve tried the forex and stocks. All I can say is, it’s no good. But when I tried the Emini S&P Trading Secret in trading the futures market, I’m suddenly starting to make good trades and good money. If you want to learn the method that I’m using Google Emini S&P Trading Secret.

Colonel Allen West, former US Representative, is stating that it's a done deal that Senator Nelson has misappropriated donations for Hurricane Michael. Does anybody know what the answer is to that?

I'm both happy and sad that I no longer live in Florida. Nelson has been one of the key reasons I'm happy. He's done nothing to stop the illegals, which some fool posted about here, talking about how he and Obama cut the amount of immigrants, which is a total lie, and his stance on the economy is like every other democrat. Spend, spend, spend, until you run out of money, then tax the crap out of your supporters. It appears that some folks believe that Nelson and the communist Gilligan (no, that's not a typo, it's how I think of him because y'all seem to trust someone THAT DUMB) have varying viewpoints. Maybe so on a few MINOR issues. But I'd give dollars to donuts that if Gilligan gets elected, old Nelson will be right there backing him 100%. As for the dude(?) trying to attack everyone, troll elsewhere kemo. You and your like minding sychophants are just pissed because we finally have a PRESIDENT, and not a wanna be who spends so much time golfing that he lets people die who are there to defend this country when he didn't have to. Thanks for sharing cupcakes. May you have the life you deserve. You know, the one you want to vote into office? Where you HAVE no rights, and have to do what the government tells you to do or you end up in line for a quick execution?? Yeah, that one.

People go through “middle men” all the time. Pay pal, Go Fund me, etc. move along folks. Nothing to see here, except faux pearl-clutching.

Asking "why?" is now "Pearl clutching"? K-then, I suppose. Except your examples given are actually payment processing outlets, while Act Blue is the fundraising arm of the Democrats. I guess I'll just have to keep asking: Why the need to pay through the Democratic Party instead of giving directly to the charities?

Yes, asking why IS pearl-clutching. Act Blue has been used for how long now? I get that the GOP needs help from SSN now, but this is pathetic. Do better.

Yes, Act Blue has been used - as a money-maker for Dems. Should I ask the question again, since an answer is always avoided?

The Democrats should raise funds for Brad so he wont have to stoop to writing stuff like this. I did like the line buried under the blue green algae and dead fish: "I am not implying that any form of graft is at play here."

"Buried" It was featured in the article, and you managed to find it just fine. How was it buried, exactly?

Act Blue isn’t a fundraising “arm” of the Democrats. It caters to Democrats, just as certain organizations cater to Republicans. But you know that, only you want to insinuate that Bill Nelson and Act Blue are doing something nefarious for the rabid Republican SSN base. Act Blue is independent of the Democratic Party, and all you had to do was a quick google search to find that out, but that wouldn’t be red meat for the vultures of your base, now would it? From Wikipedia: ActBlue is independent of the Democratic Party itself and does not endorse individual candidates.[2] The organization is open to Democratic campaigns, candidates, committees, and progressive 501(c)4 organizations. Groups that use ActBlue pay a 3.95% credit card processing fee. As a nonprofit, ActBlue runs its own, separate fundraising program and accepts tips on contributions to pay for its expenses.[3][4][5] Milestones Edit Founded in 2004 by Benjamin Rahn and Matt DeBergalis.[6] In February 2016, ActBlue launched AB Charities, an arm of the organization that makes ActBlue’s fundraising tools available to nonprofits.[7] Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign used ActBlue for contributions.[8] According to journalist Ned Resnikoff, Sanders campaign "outraised" Hillary Clinton's campaign in this regard.[9] ActBlue had nearly 8,000 groups using the platform in 2017.[10] Did you read that Brad? Act Blue made its fundraising tools available to nonprofits in 2016. People can give to multiple nonprofits in one shot. Good thinking on Nelson’s part!

Your list of Democrats benefitting from Act Blue fails to prove it's not Democratic. In truth, "all you had to do" was read the website itself. Scroll up in my article and the same line is there: "Powering Democratic campaigns, candidates, committees, organizations..." Yea, nothing Democratic about it. As I said, and showed, it is more direct, more efficient, and less bureaucratic to give directly to the charities.

BILL NELSON and Socialist ANDREW GILLUM are running for Senate & Governor respectively. Nelson / Gillum both proudly supports abolishing ICE, sanctuary cities, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, using taxpayer funds for illegal aliens & DACA. In addition, both are weak on border security and national defense. If you OPPOSE illegal immigration, taxpayer funds used for illegal aliens, sanctuary cities, amnesty r Please VOTE NO for BILL NELSON & ANDREW GILLUM this November....we can't afford anymore Democrats. Vote this election for candidates who prioritize citizens over illegal aliens (bet you thought that was a given ...not anymore.) Those who oppose sanctuary cities, open borders, non citizens voting, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens and taxpayer funded in state college tuition discounts for illegals. That means NO Democrats. Democrats want to encourage, reward, protect illegal aliens with jobs, amnesty, drivers licenses, discounts for college tuition, scholarships, then after they're here....protect them from deportation. This creates MORE illegal entry and the Democrats know this. Recent Gallup poll- almost 60% of Democrats now view socialism positively, little changed from 2010 survey. To Democrats programs like "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" (DACA) and "Temporary Protective Status" (TPS.) there is nothing temporary about these programs. To Democrats these are permanent programs with a false name to mislead the public.....and it worked. Once again Democrats have found and used liberal judges to stop these programs from deporting. The goal for Democrats is to flood the country with illegal aliens & refugees and fight against / eliminate deportations. Notice how Democrats fight to the death against any voted ID laws. The current migration at our southern border is costing taxpayers a Kings Ransom. Fleeing persecution? or fleeing for freebies? they sure don't stay in Mexico when they reach "safety" or ask for political asylum in Mexico. Why? because Mexico will give them NOTHING. So they make the long journey to our border, our generous Democrats and our tax dollars. Just debating DACA in congress is costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars..... thank the parents. Just a few examples of the more outrageous costs associated with illegal immigration, we will pass this burden on to our children and grand children as has been passed on to us. *The cost of educating illegal aliens children is staggering. From K-12 it costs taxpayers $122,000 for EACH illegal alien student. This does not include the billions spent on bilingual education for illegal aliens. *Taxpayers in numerous states are funding in state college tuition discounts for illegal aliens. Cost to taxpayers over a billion dollars annually. *30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens.Does not include local jails and State Prisons. At $21,000 per year expense per inmate in Federal Prison U do the math. *$3Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate, process Illegal aliens in the Criminal justice system. I repeat 3 MILLION a DAY. *$2.2Billion dollars a year is spent on is spent on food assistance programs such as SNAP (food stamps) WIC, & free school lunches. If you OPPOSE illegal immigration, taxpayer funds used for illegal aliens, sanctuary cities, non citizens voting, open borders, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, weak border security, tax increases. VOTE NO for ALL Democrats this November.

Mind you illegal border crossings have risen since Trump became POTUS. Its not Bill Nelson's fault. And where you get that it costs billions of dollars to teach "bilingual education" is a mystery. "Illegals" do Not represent 30 20 10 or even 5% of inmates in any jail / prison in the US. A large majority of voters are in favor of granting residency to DACA. Democrats do not want open borders. They have historically voted in favor of reducing illegal border crossings (you obviously failed to identify how democrats helped Obama's bill to strengthen the border become law). You are merely regurgitating the same tiki torch rhetoric vomited by Trump when it comes to those that enter illegaly in this country. To your credit you also compounded his rhetoric with a serious of exaggerated figures. You forgot to mention MS13.

Megan, did you know Nelson and Gillum actually differ on several issues including some you mention. Are you Native American? If only the people waiting here when your ancestors showed up were as charitable as you are. We need borders and rules but the hatred of immigrants fostered by Trump is something we have never needed. There's a poem by Emma Lazarus you might want to re-read. If we want to make America great again we have to start with one another. And I hope we get a good start on November 6.

Getting desperate I see grasping at straws...……….How much lower will the repub party go?...………The women are coming for you and nothing you can do about it. ;^)

After you posting something like this, Slager, if I was Bill Nelson, I'd find your sorry self and smack you in the head! Only a friggin' Republican wingnut propagandist would come up with insinuations like this! Win, lose, or draw, Nelson is a true southern gentleman with a touch of class. Shouldabenafelon Scott is neither.

Know what's funny Kruze? Earlier on the story of Rick Scott praising donors you were full of insinuations and accusations. Now later the same day you are supposedly offended by the same thing? A joke.

Scott, the carpetbagger, should have been a felon and, therefore, ineligible not only to run for governor, but also ineligible to vote in this state. it's too bad he's not just fading away at this point ... the worst Florida governor in my memory ... but, even if he beats Nelson, he really won't be able to directly damage this state as he was able to do as governor. Slager is just a petty propagandist pursuing the Newt Gingrich/Republican Party policy of the politics of personal destruction. In my case, whenever I see that ad hominem kind of pukey political expression, whether by an incompetent governor or a bu**sh**ting columnist, I try to return the favor.

So what you say here is it is completely unacceptable for him to make a comment on hurricane donations, but when you make insinuations on hurricane donations it is totally noble and honorable. Sounds sane.

A VOTE FOR DeSANTIS IS A VOTE 4 CHANGE IN FLORIDA! VOTE RED IN NOVEMBER... #WeTrustinGOD so #WeGotTRUMP &then #WeGotQ &now #WWG1WGA -- next #WeWantDeSantis4Florida

What "change" ??? DeSantis is a do-nothing, lickspittle Trumpnut and would be unequivocally worse than GOPs Bush, Crist, and Shouldabenafelon Scott have been over the past 20 years! Yikes! #GoGillum #ScrewTrump #VoteBlue

Only this idiot would make disaster donations a partisan hit piece. No wonder these fools are all unemployed...

Naw! Smith and Thiessen would have done it, too! Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle.

The nice thing about writing fiction is you don't need to be bothered with troublesome facts. You should leave journalism to the pros.

...and that's YOU Schmuck ?!?

Where's the fiction, Tom? Looks like Brad has the facts to me. Face it. Our senator is a hustler and that's how his party likes it.

Old "Pruneface Rocket-Monkey" is in his dying throes, good riddance Zippy.

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