# The repugs have found a new way to raise money **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 7, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136 "2005-04-07T01:07:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/1 "2005-04-07T01:07:09Z")
[http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Investigation/story?id=643826](http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Investigation/story?id=643826) > [@](#): > > The good news reached the Jamestown, N.Y., office of Dr. Rudolph Mueller in a fax from a congressman in Washington. Mueller had been named 2004 Physician of the Year. > > "My secretary came running in and said, ‘Dr. Rudy, look at what you’ve won, you’re Physician of the Year,’ " said Mueller, an internist. But to receive the award in person at a special two-day workshop in Washington last month, Mueller found out that he would have to make a $1,250 contribution to the National Republican Congressional Committee. It was a disturbing discovery, he said. Why do they do shit like this? Can’t they just be upfront? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/2 "2005-04-07T01:11:28Z")
I can see the workshop conversation now: “Hey, I’m here to accept Physician of the Year!” “Hey, me too!” “Hey, me three!” \ “Attention! Attention! Please fine your seats! Our 2-day workshop ‘Fleecing Professionals for Personal Gain–the Dos and Don’ts’ will now begin.” ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/3 "2005-04-07T01:14:52Z")
It’s rather appropriate that instead of sitting in their seats, the professionals are fining them. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/4 "2005-04-07T01:15:10Z")
Looks like they took a lesson from those “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” scam. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/5 "2005-04-07T03:30:34Z")
Actually, it sounds more like a time-share pitch. “You’ve won a valuable prize! Please attend our complimentary resort weekend at Fleeceme Acres Country Club, where you merely have to attend two special award ceremonies, and you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to buy into the Dream of Leisure…” ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/6 "2005-04-07T04:50:25Z")
Actually, i’m not especially shocked or surprised by the NRCC’s tactics. I mean, it’s fairly obvious from the get-go that this is just another political fund-raiser. The underhand methods are perfectly in line with GOP SOP, but i’m sure the Democrats have tried similar crap. What i’m actually more dismayed at is the fact that some doctors actually seem to use this “award” as an indicator of their professional competence in their practices: > [@](#): > > And some of the other winners told Mueller that his $1,250 fee to the NRCC was a wise investment indeed. He should use the award as a marketing tool, they said, as an impressive honor he could tell patients. And on the Internet, ABC News found physicians across the country doing just that — listing NRCC’s Physician of the Year among their honors and credentials. I’d be interested to see exactly what the body of the certificate says, but i’m willing to bet that most patients would only ever see the “Physician of the Year” bit and assume that it relates to the doctor’s actual abilities or level of professional service, and that it came from an orgamization directly involved with the practice of medicine. ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/7 "2005-04-07T06:00:02Z")
And it’s interesting to see that both Bush and DeLay made appearaces at this thing. One nice thing about this is now I have a way to gauge the honesty of physicians. I see this rag hanging in their offices, I know they are dishonest scum. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/8 "2005-04-07T07:25:48Z")
I was at the grocery store the other day, and THOSE ASSHOLES!!! They gave me a free sample of fudge!!! Goddammit, after that, how could I KNOW buy seventeen pounds of it? How could I NOT?!?!? Someone should do something about those nefarious grocery stores and their whole “not forcing people to give them money” scam they have going! ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/9 "2005-04-07T07:26:57Z")
How could I KNOW? Shit man. That’s a very drunken way of spelling “how could I NOT”. Don’t oppress me, man. You keep your right-wing fascist spelling rules to yourself. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/10 "2005-04-07T07:32:11Z")
My mom, the Hippie Democrat received her tacky faxed request to be “Physician of the Year” a while back. For $1250, our cocksucking Republican senator or houseperson will present the award to her. For $9500, she coul dhave gotten her picture taken with King Georgie! THey don’t even have standards! She informed them that she was a Democrat and they said something to the effect of “But you can be PotY!” Needless to say, she turned the offer down. I’d like to see that misleading award ceased. I’d also like my congressperson to stop using his assistants to call and harass local doctors on the public’s dime. Irks the shit out of me. Sam ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/11 "2005-04-07T15:51:07Z")
> [@SPOOFE](#): > > I was at the grocery store the other day, and THOSE ASSHOLES!!! They gave me a free sample of fudge!!! Goddammit, after that, how could I KNOW buy seventeen pounds of it? How could I NOT?!?!? > > Someone should do something about those nefarious grocery stores and their whole “not forcing people to give them money” scam they have going! Mmmmm, i smell something burning. It might be the fudge. Or maybe it’s just your straw man. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/12 "2005-04-07T16:57:36Z")
I’m glad I’m in an honest profession. They probably thought (given that Laura is one of us) about a “Librarian of the Year” award, but then realised: (1) No librarian would be able to afford $1,250, and (2) Most librarians don’t support the GOP any way. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/13 "2005-04-07T17:07:37Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > She informed them that she was a Democrat If she showed up wearing a “Nothing Accomplished” T-shirt, would they make her sit in a “free speech” zone? And if so, would they give any of her $1250 back? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/14 "2005-04-07T17:07:40Z")
> [@SPOOFE](#): > > How could I KNOW? Shit man. That’s a very drunken way of spelling “how could I NOT”. Don’t oppress me, man. You keep your right-wing fascist spelling rules to yourself. Even with your correction, your post still makes no sense. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/15 "2005-04-07T20:40:24Z")
$9,500 for a picture with Shrub is almost worth it, if you’re going to wear an “I’m with stupid” T-shirt. If not for the fact that the money would go to promote war-mongering abroad and the shredding of the Constitution at home, I would almost recommend doing it. Oh, and **Reeder** , you need a more accurate thread title. This looks to be rough equal, in terms of honesty and respect, to tactics that the GOP has been using for decades, so it’s not new. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/16 "2005-04-07T20:50:16Z")
> [@ITR champion](#): > > $9,500 for a picture with Shrub is almost worth it, if you’re going to wear an “I’m with stupid” T-shirt. Photoshop is way cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/17 "2005-04-07T21:15:45Z")
So, not only do they get to bilk them, they get to lie to them about the cause of the cost of malpractice insurance. Nice. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/18 "2005-04-08T04:04:02Z")
Thank you **mhendo** for observing that shit from either side of the aisle carries a similar aroma. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/19 "2005-04-09T23:31:42Z")
Something just occurred to me. A couple years back the Kentucky Republican Party supported a bill that imposed severe punishments on companies that used extremely agressive and deceptive marketing practices in telemarketing and mailing campaigns. Several companies have been punished for using the scam of claiming that somebody has been given an award, and then trying to get their money. So now I guess the Kentucky Republican Party will want to heavily fine the Republican Party. Right. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136/20 "2005-04-10T00:14:35Z")
Wait, so a doctor thinks that by donating they will be PotY? If they donate to a political group? I hope my doctor is smart enough to know awards are meaningless amongst colleagues unless it’s from a professional or academic group respected in that field. Like, oh I don’t know, the AMA? Of course, maybe it’s seen by some as an honorary degree. Value being whatever it’s worth as a keepsake. I don’t see the problem. It’s not like they’re turning the White House into a Motel6 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repugs-have-found-a-new-way-to-raise-money/298136.md?page=2)