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Friday, September 19, 2008

Philanthropy as a Vehicle for Political Promotion


Interesting letter in the Letters to the Editor of the Rapid City Journal today:

‘Thank you’ dinner quickly became a paid political event

I recently attended a “thank you” dinner for those who volunteered for the John Paul II exhibit. The event was sponsored by Stan Adelstein and was to be an opportunity for volunteers to share their experiences. The political campaign comments made by Brian Hagg, Stan’s campaign manager, did not appear, in my opinion, to have happened spontaneously. At that point, it seemed to me that the “thank you” dinner event became a paid political event.

DIANE ANGE
Rapid City

I've often wondered how many votes Stan Adelstein's "philanthropy" can buy, and this dinner may provide some answer.

The best philanthropy is that which is done low-key and not for public recognition but because of a genuine concern for the beneficiary.

The question of how many votes philanthropy can buy also crossed my mind last week when I saw a rather large booklet promoting Stan Adelstein and all the causes he's given to. This "Adelstein accolades" booklet (I don't recall, but I think it was at least 10-20 pages long, in color) was paid for by the Republican Party. It is my understanding that this huge booklet was sent through the mail to the voters of District 32--which would amount to a hefty postage bill in addition to the printing cost.

I also wondered how many tossed out cookies--and ladies bearing those cookies--went to pay for that booklet.

Most people are usually able to see through someone who performs acts of benevolence as veiled acts of self-promotion. Maybe I'm wrong about my suspicions here, and Adelstein is genuinely a selfless man who cares deeply about the community.

Either way, my hope is that the voters of District 32 will see the truth for what it really is--and vote accordingly.


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