WP: Fundraiser Denies Link Between Money, Access

[kskiska]

Ohio Businessman, a Big GOP Donor, Fought EPA on Hazardous-Waste Rule -- and Won

Monday, May 17, 2004; Page A01

Second of two articles

MASON, Ohio -- Richard T. Farmer is one of America's richest men and a Bush Pioneer by virtue of having raised at least $100,000 for the 2000 campaign. Over the past 15 years, he and his wife have given $3.1 million to Bush campaigns, the Republican Party and Republican candidates.

Farmer's family controls Cintas Corp., a $2.7 billion company that rents and launders uniforms and industrial shop towels. For years, Farmer's industry has been at odds with the Environmental Protection Agency over increased regulation of shop towels, particularly a Clinton administration proposal that, though not fatal, "would have cost us a lot of money," Farmer said.

In a recent interview at company headquarters here, Farmer said his campaign donations were made with no strings attached. He said he supports Republicans because they believe in "less government, more individual freedom, more individual responsibility.

"If you think I'm giving money to get access to , you're crazy," Farmer said. "I'm just trying to get the right guy elected. That's all I care about."

(snip)

The proposed shop towel rule is but one example of a policy change by the Bush administration that favors a company controlled by a Bush Pioneer or Ranger, who as a group have helped the president bank a record $200 million for the 2004 election campaign. The shop towel case reflects the subtle interactions between corporations and an administration determined to roll back what it considers to be regulatory overkill. For many big donors, getting "the right guy elected," as Farmer puts it, is an end in itself.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31714-2004May16.html

[drscm]

1. These people must really think we are stupid.

In the *bush world, it's all about access and gutting laws, rules and regulations. Why let them sleep in the Lincoln bedroom when they can f@ck the entire nation through the oval office.

[struggle4progress]

9. Oh, they do! And they have no shame ...

"After a series of telephone calls, e-mails, letters and meetings with representatives of the laundry industry, the EPA had provided industrial-laundry lobbyists with an advance copy of a portion of the proposed rule, which the lobbyists edited and the agency adopted.
That same opportunity was not given to the rule's opponents -- environmental groups, a labor union, hazardous-waste landfill operators and paper towel manufacturers who argue their product should be treated as environmentally equal to laundered towels."

[KLF44]

2. Excuse Me?

He said he supports Republicans because they believe in "less government, more individual freedom, more individual responsibility.


That is unless your a woman that want's to get a abortion, a gay couple that want to get married, a paralyzed person who would benefit from stem cell research, etc...

That statement is so funny and scary at the same time I don't know what to do first laugh or cry.

[leesa]

3. That is, unless you are a corporate monkey whoring for privilege

This is so sad, these creatures pretending they aren't purchasing government favors.

[Tellurian]

4. Oh, yes...The Pat Act is evidence of our freedom...

Nice try Mr. Farmer. You're a ding, dang republican and you'll have to live with that anomaly for the rest of your life. Meanwhile, don't get too comfy polluting my rivers and streams with your laundry detergent and chlorine bleach... We're going to roll back and fix whatever you've broken.. Farming is a noble profession.

Suggesting a name change for you, something more appropriate, something like, Mr. Antibiotic.

[SharonAnn]

5. I know this guy and his cronies. They're the "crony" type where

they support "crony capitalism", preferably at taxpayer expense.

He's at the core of the "Cincinnati conservative" group.

I have no respect for him and his cronies.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

6. Does this mean I can influence DU

with my donation?

[fearnobush]

7. These people are so full of shit it pours out of their ass's.

George Chimp Bush as increased the size of Government on a biblical scale. He has merged all government institutions with these corporate whores who have gutted the common wealth of all citizens that work from these shills. Greedy Fucking Republicans - This is indeed, the party of greed. No Christianity with these folks, just pure evil greed.

[banana republican]

8. get a life folks

some of the most damaging pollutants come from dry cleaners and launderers.

perclorethelyene damages the liver causes cancer and is used extensively by the dry cleaning/laundry industry.

[el_gato]

10. More Individual freedom? I see just the opposite

The man is creating an Orwellian Police State.

[maddezmom]

11. lots of funny business in OH: Ohio Groups Question Justice's Trip on Utili

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/15/politics/15trip.html?ex=1085198400&en=ccffc74e6fac9dc4&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=556763