I resent ECF's campaign regarding the New Mexico State Rep. Liz Thompson

[VapingTurtle]

Whether Liz Thompson is anti-vape or not, this is totally wrong to support a campaign to defeat her by Gregory Conley, a research fellow with the Heartland Institute.

The Heartland Institute is an extreme right wing political lobby organization. Their views are not representative of the majority of the United States', New Mexico's, or Liz Thompson's district.

There are a lot more issues involved in this campaign than just her incorrect stance on vaping, which is unpopular and will not pass. She is a good progressive representative, and does not deserve targeting by ECF, especially in a manner in which the members of this forum cannot respond to the one sided political lobbying behind the banner at the top of the page. Her proposed anti-vaping bill should be opposed by ECF and the vaping community, but not her position as a representative.

I strongly object to ECF becoming a tool of an extreme right wing lobby in the USA.

 

[wonner]

THANK YOU!

Finally someone who realizes there is more to a political campaign than one issue.

 

[VapingTurtle]

ECF is a British owned entity, and should not be involved in US politics whatsoever beyond single issues. They are supporting a candidate by placing this banner, not an issue.

 

[doots]

I think ECF has every right to print their belief.. There are reasons besides vaping that should be considered.. If this woman is against our right to vape and has power to create bills to stop us from exercising our rights, then she should be defeated and everything is fair. imho. After all this website belongs to ECF, not the members..

 

[DC2]

.......................

 

[Steve Parry]

The general climate of regulating everything and taxing any elective behavior is generally accepted progressive ideology. The problem is people think it's okay untill it comes to their particular issue. There's no need to be worried about it. A banner on ECF most likely won't be enough to swing an election. She should do just fine and be around to regulate and tax plenty of other people for liking something else she doesn't like.
TT

 

[FlamingoTutu]

Regardless of whether I, or you, or anyone else agrees or disagrees with them, I'm grateful ECF has the brass to make a stand for us in any country. I get your point on disagreeing in this particular case but at least they took a stand. That's more than most would do.

 

[ppeeble]

Unfortunately it's not about who is best suited to hold office. It's about her making an ill advised decision that will alienate vapers. More than that, it's a vote against the sort of person who makes a judgement with limited, patently erroneous, or no facts behind it (probably sums up most people in politics).
Or worse; The argument that flavours appeal only to children is so pathetic and facile that one can't help thinking that there's a LOT of lobbying going on here.
All it takes is for someone in politics to try a little honesty and integrity. Who knows, it may even win a vote or two...

 

[TheProphet]

I think ECF has every right to print their belief

Agreed. 1st Amendment 101.

 

[Sgt.Rock]

The fact that she's a progressive is enough info for me to know I would never vote for her..not even for garbage collector.

Progressives are ruining this country.

 

[DC2]

Some additional reading for anyone interested in this thread...
help defeat rep. liz thomson & strike a blow for vapers everywhere

 

[bluecat]

Extreme right wing.. Extreme left wing...

Someone has to make a choice somewhere. Politics is polarized. That is why a person needs to go out and find all the detail. The boob tube won't give you that.

Put it this way.. 50+ years old and this will be the first time I put my X next to a democrat on a ballot. One X. Not that I like everything about the democrat. I don't particularly like everything about the republican. I have also learned the hard way.. a green candidate vote is a thrown away vote (I wish it wasn't true).

If a person wants to make it a one issue election that is their choice. At least they didn't give their vote to the first side that offered them a bus ride and a sammich.

 

[AzPlumber]

The election is apparently close enough that there are a lot of folks that don't agree with her other policies and opinions. If Liz Thompson gets defeated based solely on her anti-vaping stance then maybe other candidates will take notice that there are enough pro-vaping constituents to effect the outcome of an election.

 

[bluecat]

Agreed. 1st Amendment 101.

Which is being trampled on like crazy.

 

[Anjaffm]

Unfortunately it's not about who is best suited to hold office. It's about her making an ill advised decision that will alienate vapers. More than that, it's a vote against the sort of person who makes a judgement with limited, patently erroneous, or no facts behind it (probably sums up most people in politics).

Or worse; The argument that flavours appeal only to children is so pathetic and facile that one can't help thinking that there's a LOT of lobbying going on here.
All it takes is for someone in politics to try a little honesty and integrity. Who knows, it may even win a vote or two...

Amen!

Some additional reading for anyone interested in this thread...
help defeat rep. liz thomson & strike a blow for vapers everywhere

Good reading. Thank you.

And it may be beneficial to remember that a politician who speaks - and advocates - absolute nonsense in one issue will be more than likely to do the same for other issues. More than likely. After all, it worked so well on the stupid unwashed masses once.

 

[VapingTurtle]

Agreed. 1st Amendment 101.

The US 1st amendment has nothing to do with British Subjects. ECF is a British Corporation.

And in this case they are not lobbying in support or opposition on an issue. It is a lobbying effort by The Heartland Institute to collect donations for a candidate.

I would have to say this lobbying effort has absolutely nothing to do with vaping. This candidate that they are trying to defeat has bigger fish to fry than her ancillary effort to restrict vaping.

 

[p7willm]

Not sure so please do not hit me.

I think it is against US law for a non US citizen to contribute to a political campaign. (Never mind that the US screws with politics in other countries)

If this is true I am sure the lawyers would have a fine old time sorting out all the issues here. Is this a contribution? Although ECF is from the UK there are a lot of US people and they may have been behind this. And I am sure that someone paid hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per hour could come up with many more.

Oh, I forgot the whole corporations are people too thing. So maybe we need a few more lawyers.

 

[TheProphet]

I would have to say this lobbying effort has absolutely nothing to do with vaping.

Then please, do tell what it has to do with? This is a vaping website isn't it? Why would a british corporation care about an election in New Mexico besides the vaping views of one of the candidates? It's funny that you accuse them of supporting a "far right" candidate, when a majority of British, were they Americans, would be even more "far left" than the person they are "lobbying" against.

 

[InTheShade]

Not sure so please do not hit me.

I think it is against US law for a non US citizen to contribute to a political campaign. (Never mind that the US screws with politics in other countries)

If this is true I am sure the lawyers would have a fine old time sorting out all the issues here. Is this a contribution? Although ECF is from the UK there are a lot of US people and they may have been behind this. And I am sure that someone paid hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per hour could come up with many more.

Oh, I forgot the whole corporations are people too thing. So maybe we need a few more lawyers.

Uncompensated blogging, which I believe this would fall under, is exempt from this regulation. Read the FEC website for further details.

 

[Smann245]

Take our rights, take our money!!! Just don't let the evil right wingers get us!!! Ahhhh!!!