Comments on: Max Allstadt: An Open Letter to the Oakland Public Ethics Commission http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13 The Continuing Story of a City Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:06:35 +0000 hourly 1 By: VivekB http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-241227 VivekB Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:54:30 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-241227 I hear there's an open position on the commission, anybody running? I'm contemplating running, wondering who else might be. I hear there’s an open position on the commission, anybody running?

I’m contemplating running, wondering who else might be.

]]> By: Max Allstadt http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-128013 Max Allstadt Sat, 16 May 2009 23:16:08 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-128013 It's a pretty confounded mess. That's why I keep saying that the most viable long term solution is to create standards, not laws, and leave it to watchdog groups to nip at politicians' heels during elections if they don't behave. It’s a pretty confounded mess. That’s why I keep saying that the most viable long term solution is to create standards, not laws, and leave it to watchdog groups to nip at politicians’ heels during elections if they don’t behave.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-127922 Patrick Sat, 16 May 2009 21:57:24 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-127922 I imagine the reason this approach isn't used is because lobbyists wouldn't like it. I imagine the reason this approach isn’t used is because lobbyists wouldn’t like it.

]]> By: John Klein http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-127905 John Klein Sat, 16 May 2009 21:43:11 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-127905 Max, I hope you can provide the PEC with some examples of jurisdictions that require officials to maintain public logs as the means by which jurisdictions handle lobbying issues, instead of requiring lobbyists to register. My guess is that you won't find many, but maybe you will. More likely you'll find out why this approach isn't used. Max,
I hope you can provide the PEC with some examples of jurisdictions that require officials to maintain public logs as the means by which jurisdictions handle lobbying issues, instead of requiring lobbyists to register.

My guess is that you won’t find many, but maybe you will. More likely you’ll find out why this approach isn’t used.

]]> By: Max Allstadt http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-124918 Max Allstadt Thu, 14 May 2009 23:17:31 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-124918 1 1

]]> By: Max Allstadt http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-124917 Max Allstadt Thu, 14 May 2009 23:17:30 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-124917 Robert, I totally agree. I could start a 501c3 to provide narration of porn movies for blind people, or a 501c6 that advocates for day care centers. It's terribly arbitrary. The government should not be in the business of deciding who gets to speak to whom and under what conditions. The four major exceptions to the first amendment's control over oral communication are threats, slander, incitement, and harassment. Going any further is thorny and slippery all at once. Robert, I totally agree. I could start a 501c3 to provide narration of porn movies for blind people, or a 501c6 that advocates for day care centers. It’s terribly arbitrary.

The government should not be in the business of deciding who gets to speak to whom and under what conditions. The four major exceptions to the first amendment’s control over oral communication are threats, slander, incitement, and harassment. Going any further is thorny and slippery all at once.

]]> By: Robert http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-124740 Robert Thu, 14 May 2009 20:43:28 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-124740 I fail to see why a nonprofit that does something you like (books for kids) should be treated differently than some other organization. They are still trying to influence to get what they think is best for the city. And while everybody likes books for kids, not everybody may think we can afford it. I fail to see why a nonprofit that does something you like (books for kids) should be treated differently than some other organization. They are still trying to influence to get what they think is best for the city. And while everybody likes books for kids, not everybody may think we can afford it.

]]> By: Robert http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-124733 Robert Thu, 14 May 2009 20:40:57 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-124733 I agree that requiring everyone to register is burdensome, but I am really struggling to differentiate between a paid lobbyist and somebody who volunteers their time. Why should one register and not the other? Neither is necessarily going to attempt to engage in a corrupt practice. If the point is influence, you have to treat everybody the same. And if the point is corruption, you still need to treat everybody the same, but deal with the corruption, not who is talking to the city. Having city officials log their meetings is probably the least burdensome and least inhibiting of free speech and access to government. I agree that requiring everyone to register is burdensome, but I am really struggling to differentiate between a paid lobbyist and somebody who volunteers their time. Why should one register and not the other? Neither is necessarily going to attempt to engage in a corrupt practice. If the point is influence, you have to treat everybody the same. And if the point is corruption, you still need to treat everybody the same, but deal with the corruption, not who is talking to the city. Having city officials log their meetings is probably the least burdensome and least inhibiting of free speech and access to government.

]]> By: John Klein http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-124723 John Klein Thu, 14 May 2009 20:31:09 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-124723 TN, Thank you for pointing out one of the primary differences between 501(c)3 and other 501(c)s, such as a (c)6. I am sure there are other differences which ought to be considered. One of the inquiries in this regard would be to look at the purpose of the organization. I'd say there is a difference between a nonprofit organization that provides free books to children or free meals to seniors and a nonprofit that promotes the private, for profit interests of its members. TN,
Thank you for pointing out one of the primary differences between 501(c)3 and other 501(c)s, such as a (c)6. I am sure there are other differences which ought to be considered.

One of the inquiries in this regard would be to look at the purpose of the organization. I’d say there is a difference between a nonprofit organization that provides free books to children or free meals to seniors and a nonprofit that promotes the private, for profit interests of its members.

]]> By: Carlos Plazola http://www.abetteroakland.com/max-allstadt-an-open-letter-to-the-oakland-public-ethics-commission/2009-05-13#comment-124662 Carlos Plazola Thu, 14 May 2009 19:14:22 +0000 http://www.abetteroakland.com/?p=3046#comment-124662 TN: that's absolutely correct. TN: that’s absolutely correct.

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