Re: Query

[John Paramo <albatrosrojo2000@xxxxxxxxx>]

Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Query> 
> Cuba is taking a bashing in the media up here for
> it's treatment of the
> American sponsored dissidents. I know the U.S. has
> similar laws. E.g. as 
> a 70's member of the FI I remember that the US
> section was not allowed 
> formal ties with the international.

The law that attacked specifically political
international relations was the Vorhis Act.  Under
such an Act, political groups in the US could neither
received nor contribute funds to organizations with an
international character.

The Vorhis Act was the reason why the SWP always
claimed to be a a group "in solidarity" with the FI
but never officially paid dues to the FI.

The Vorhis Act is no longer.  

On another issue:

Persons or organizations considered "agents" of
foreign governments have to register with the US
government as such.  This include any kind of formal
or informal relationship with foreign governments or
powers whether those relationships are commercial,
cultural, etc

There are presently thousands of people and
organizations registered as such.

Jimmy Carter's brother - for example - was I believe
forced to register as an agent of Lybia(?) several
years ago because some commercial transactions he made
with that government in an attempt to embarras his
brother, then President of the US.

Contributions:

Foreign nationals were able to contribute legally to
US candidates for office until recently.  So were
people living in the US but who were not citizens. 
That changed after the scandals involving money
funneled to BOTH Democrats and Republicans that
unfolded after a Chinese General's money was spotted
as contribution for the Clinton re-election bid years
ago.

Lots of money from foregin governments and political
organizations were funneled to Democrats and
Republicans later on the game through legal residents
of foreign background and linked to the governments
and political organizations abroad.

There were cases of donations of Inodnesian firms and
nationals to Clinton and some from other countries to
Republicans that were channeled this way.

That was also changed years back.  Now, you cannot
contribute money for political candidates in the US if
you do not hold a citizenship certificate.

Of course, this is avoided by the real money purse
holders' abroad through a number of sophisticated
donations through American corporations and their
executives living abroad.

On the other hand BOTH the Democrats and Republican
parties, and the AFL-CIO donate millions of dollars in
cash to poltiical organziations and candidates in
other countries.  For example, President Fox in Mexico
received millions from the Republican party and BOTH
Democrats and Republicans (but especially the latter)
paid for most of the Chamorro's electoral campaign
when she defeated the FSLN in the 90s (? no exactly
sure the year by memory)

JP

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