from the Meers for Congress campaign
Frankfort, Illinois businessman and 11th District congressional GOP candidate, Henry Meers, has sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson offering a “bribe” if she will hold a public hearing on the issue of healthcare.
In his letter, Meers said that he had previously appealed to Halvorson’s “sense of duty and decency.” The letter went on to say: “It occurred to me (Meers) that you (Halvorson) ARE a long standing operative and leader of the corrupt Democrat machine of Chicago and Springfield. Therefore, I am appealing to you in a way that you might better understand, and by which you would be more likely to respond favorably. I am hereby offering you a bribe.”
Meers said he would contribute up to $1,000 to charity if Halvorson will hold a public hearing according to specific conditions, some of which included:
- Ten day advance public notice
- Room capacity of at least 300
- Ample time for public comments and questions.
Meers said the $1,000 offer would be reduced by $50 each day that a meeting does not take place, giving Halvorson 20 days before the pledge to a charity would be depleted. Continuing the tongue-in-cheek spirit of the letter, Meers said that, as a Republican, he is unfamiliar with the proper protocol of public official bribery, and inquired if $1,000 was sufficient.
He wrote, “If not, let me know, maybe I can find others who will help me up the ante.”
Meers said that while the letter is couched in political humor, the point to be made is very serious.
“Halvorson’s elaborate efforts to duck the public, or offering up a private meeting with a hand picked audiences as a “public hearing” is simply outrageous,” Meers said.
