decot@cwruecmp.UUCP (Dave Decot) (11/18/83)
I received an invitation in the U.S. Mail today. The return address was: The Honorable Ronald Wilson Reagan President of the United States Naturally, I wondered what on America the *President* could be inviting me to! (I did, however, note that MY address was printed by a computer peripheral, and that the address on the back was "National Republican Congressional Committee") But no matter! I hastily opened it to reveal the following, on nice paper, jagged on the bottom: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [Cover page contains the Seal of the President of the United States, and] The Honorable Ronald Wilson Reagan, President of the United States, requests the honor of your support and participation in the congressional elections as a Sponsor of the GOP Victory Fund The favor of a reply is requested Please respond on the enclosed sponsorship card [Hmm... it doesn't seem to be a black-tie party, oh well...] --------------------------------------------------------------------- [Inside pages: paraphrased for brevity only, phrases in "'s are direct quotations; such phrases are used in context] THE SITUATION IN WASHINGTON TODAY--THE NEED FOR THE GOP VICTORY FUND [Scary warnings about the dangerous Democratic majority in the House] THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO INVITE YOU [How honored you should be that the NRCC's computer has a record on you, because the "special, select invitation list" was so "carefully prepared". If you are on this list, you apparently "can play a more active and direct role" in the 1984 campaign] CONCEPT AND BACKGROUND OF THE GOP VICTORY FUND/CAMPAIGN VICTORY PLAN [This plan had better work or "your freedom and nation's security and independence" will be jeopardized. Your money that you will so kindly give us (the NRCC) will be used to train candidates and managers, to give them cash, and to record every vote of each opponent Democrat. All this will be carefully monitored by the White House] YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE PRESIDENT'S INVITATION IS FUNDAMENTAL TO VICTORY IN 1984 [Labor unions and their PAC's gave > $17M to candidates; over 94% went to Democrats. If any more Democrats get elected in '84, "it will pose a grave threat to the progress" P.R. has made toward economic recovery. That's why we want to raise $22.8M, and if we don't, it will mean the end of "pulling America away from the brink of economic disaster." Your failure to accept "the President's invitation" to give us your money will cause liberal Democrats to be elected who want to "jeopardize the financial security of millions of American families"] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [back page] YOUR LEVEL OF SPONSORSHIP [What we really want is $25, or more, but a contribution of any amount means you're a GOP Victory Fund Sponsor, and thus a "special friend of the President who has accepted his invitation."] SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS [There's something in it for you! You get a "special Congressional VIP Card", which you can flash to anyone and they will immediately know you have "accepted the President's invitation." You also get a "special letter from President Reagan" which expresses "his appreciation of your" money. But wait--that's not all--you also get a "Presidential memento", but hurry, quantities ARE limited] SPONSORSHIP DEADLINE [Because the President is so eagerly awaiting YOUR response, you must send before the deadline which is, um, well it's printed on the envelope. Mail the enclosed form letter and, of course, "your contribution, directly to President Reagan in the special envelope provided] --------------[END OF INVITATION]-------------------------------------------- The form letter asks you to "please list any political, professional or civic titles you have held on a separate piece of paper." It also says that your check "is a personal contribution even though it may appear to be drawn on a business, partnership or other type of account." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I will not comment (further?) on this literature here; if you are interested in my reaction, read the following article. If you would like elaboration on the content of the mailing, mail requests to me--I shall be most honored to reply. Dave Decot decvax!cwruecmp!decot (Decot.Case@rand-relay)