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I've been tossing around an idea of setting up a small PAC dedicated to tech issues. It would rate legislators on their stances on issues like net neutrality, p

I've been tossing around an idea of setting up a small PAC dedicated to tech issues. It would rate legislators on their stances on issues like net neutrality, patent reform, etc. Additionally, it would have a campaign fund, and each election cycle it would target the most egregiously bad legislators with that campaign fund. I've written some of the code -- but since that time I've learned a lot more so I will probably scrap what I have to rebuild.

chimeracoder 14y ago
That sounds interesting - let me know if you're interested in getting that started again; I'd be up for working on it.
declan 14y ago
I wrote a column for CNET 11 years ago titled: "Is it time for a GeekPAC?" Some of the ideas may still be useful: http://news.cnet.com/2010-1023-971115.html http://news.cnet.com/2010-1023-971115.html Nowadays you don't want a PAC. You'd probably want to set up multiple organizations including perhaps a 501(c)(4) and definitely a Super PAC expenditure-only committee, which is far more useful than a traditional PAC because it can conduct unlimited independent spending in favor of your preferred candidate (or against your non-preferred candidate). Traditional PACs, by contrast, can only give $5,000 to a candidate -- they're more useful if you're a company trying to lobby a congresscritter. Their scheduler is going to check to make sure you've given before deciding whether to set up the meeting with the boss, etc. Not as useful if you're an advocacy group trying to influence elections.