What
is a PAC?
A number of years ago, in an effort to reform political campaign
fund-raising, Congress authorized the establishment of Political
Action Committees, PACs. While Congress may revisit the issue
of campaign finance, PACs are a totally legitimate medium through
which individual citizens can direct their contributions to
support federal candidates who represent their views on issues
of concern to them. Thousands of PACs currently function in
the US, and they represent a wide spectrum of views on a broad
array of issues. For instance, there are pro-labor, pro-industry,
and pro-environment PACs. There are many pro-Israel PACs.
I
give to the UJA and other Israel causes. Why a PAC?
The answer is one word: leverage. It is true that every dollar
we give directly to a pro-Israel organization or institution
is important. At the same time, through PACs we can encourage
our representatives in Washington to allocate a small portion
of our tax dollars to helping Israel. And, while organizational
fund-raising can be measured in hundreds of millions of dollars,
US aid is measured in billions. None of our organizational fund-raising
efforts can match the resources and generosity of the US Government.
That's leverage.
Does
$10,000 really make a difference to a candidate?
As our own experience shows, even smaller amounts do. This is
particularly true if the contribution is made early in the campaign,
when the candidate really needs start-up funds and other contributors
have not yet joined the bandwagon.
Is
NORPAC related to AIPAC?
No. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is
a public affairs, not political action committee. It is a registered
lobbying organization that can testify before Congress and deals
with politicians after they are elected. AIPAC does not contribute
to campaigns, nor does it suggest contributions. So, while AIPAC
is critically important in fostering strong US support for Israel,
NORPAC-which helps get supportive candidates (re)elected in
the first place-has a separate and distinct role.
Isn't
PAC money "bribery?"
Every American has the right to actively participate in the
political process and to support and help elect candidates of
his or her choice. NORPAC is simply helping current or prospective
members of Congress who advocate a strong US-Israel relationship
by contributing to their election campaigns. It is also helping
to defeat those candidates who oppose such a relationship. There
is nothing inappropriate about this.
Isn't
a single-issue PAC very parochial?
It is remarkable how many officials have little or no direct
contact with the pro-Israel point of view, let alone a basic
grasp of the facts. Our adversaries are taking full advantage
of PACs. And, in contrast to corporate or labor PACs, NORPAC
is not motivated by profit or financial gain. Thus, as long
as PACs are permitted by law, we must use them to protect our
interests by gaining access to officials around the country.
By focusing on the single issue of Israel-its security, economic
well-being, and importance to the US-we can utilize our resources
and time in the most effective way possible as well as promote
unity in our own community.
