Congressman uses Ebola for fundraising pitch

[KamaAina]

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/congressman-uses-ebola-fundraising-pitch

When public fears surrounding the Ebola virus subside, and we’re able to reflect on which public officials acted responsibly and which acted poorly, we’ll regrettably have ample fodder for the latter category.

And near the top of the list will be Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.), who actually distributed a fundraising letter through the far-right Conservative Action Fund, exploiting public anxiety for cash. Jennifer Haberkorn reported over the weekend:

“I’ve joined with the Conservative Action Fund and started the Stop Ebola Petition to ensure the safety of Americans and demand Congress end all commercial flights from ebola stricken nations,” Broun wrote in a message sent to the group’s email list. “Ebola travels fast – this petition has to travel faster.”...

The more pressing question, I’d argue, is about basic propriety. Who sees a deadly virus and growing public fears, and thinks, “You know, this would look great in a fundraising letter”? Who tries to profit off a disease with political nonsense?

[JHB]

1. The people who've fundraised off of scare'em stories for decades, that's who

Goes at least back to Richard Viguerie. And he worked for proto-televangelist Billy James Hargis.

Just a variant of the second-oldest profession.