GOP rep goes after activist by writing letter to employer

[workinclasszero]

GOP rep goes after activist by writing letter to employer
By Mallory Shelbourne - 05/15/17 08:48 AM EDT

A Republican congressman in March targeted an activist by writing a letter to the woman's employer accusing her of working against "economic growth" and "stronger national security," WNYC reported.

“But let’s be clear that there are organized forces — both national and local — who are already hard at work to put a stop to an agenda of limited government, economic growth, stronger national security,” Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) wrote in the letter, which is on his campaign stationery.

The letter, which was asking for donations, included a note at the bottom reading: “P.S. One of the ringleaders works in your bank!”

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/333395-gop-rep-goes-after-activist-by-writing-letter-to-employer

[Zoonart]

1. WOW just WOW

I hope the target of this letter has gotten an ACLU lawyer. This is intimidation from a sitting member of Congress against an activist excersising thier 1st ammendment rights and then asking for MONEY?

"Nice bank you have there, it would be a shame if something were to happen to it." These bastards are all gangsters!

[workinclasszero]

4. That's what the republican party under Trump is.

Organized crime.

Elected republicans threatening a citizens employment.

This country is going to hell in a hand basket.

[cstanleytech]

15. Agreed, he clearly overstepped his bounds by what he did and he needs to be held accountable. nt

[dalton99a]

2. This fucker needs to feel the wrath

[lpbk2713]

3. Typical sleaze tactics used by the GOP.

They will use any methods available to them to stifle the opposition.

Ethics don't even enter the picture.

[Va Lefty]

5. I expect more and more of this

Maybe via phone call without a paper trail, but this is going to become SOP. McCarthy and Hoover would be happy.

[workinclasszero]

6. Are we a third world dictatorship yet?

[Stuart G]

11. Soon, very soon,,,I posted some info about this district..

see post 10 below...

[workinclasszero]

19. Yup

Thanks for the info

[luvMIdog]

7. his name and actions should be spread far and wide

[More_Cowbell]

8. The bank has a weak response on its Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/LakelandBank/

"However, as for civic and political engagement of our employees, Lakeland Bank’s Code of Ethics specifically provides that it is philosophy of Lakeland Bank to promote our employees’ full awareness and interest in civic and political responsibility such that each employee has the opportunity to support community activities or the political process in the manner that she or he desires."

Not a denial.

[neeksgeek]

9. I wrote to my congresscritters about this

Told them their colleague is behaving like a gangster.

I used the resistbot! It's great!

[Stuart G]

10. I sure hope this asshole, Frelinghusen, is defeated in the next election.

After doing some research, it appears that Frelinghusen's district is heavily republican. It seems unlikely that he will be defeated. Due to redistricting in the 80s, the district has gone puke since then. Here is a link that discusses this ..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey%27s_11th_congressional_district

(from the above link)

New Jersey's 11th Congressional District is represented by Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen. The district is centered in Morris County, with suburban settlements and a high per capita income; it is dominated by Republicans. The territory is located in the area of the Watchung and Ramapo Mountains.

Prior to a redistricting in the early 1980s, the 11th was centered in Essex County. The congressional seat was held by Democrats for over 40 years. The redistricting, conducted under a Republican-dominated legislature, shifted the focus of the district to Morris County, whose population was dominated by Republicans. In 1984, Republican Dean Gallo defeated 22-year incumbent Democrat Joseph Minish. Since then, the district has been one of the most reliably Republican districts in the Northeast. The Democrats have not made a serious bid for the seat since Minish's defeat.

[Justice]

16. Opponent Mikie Sherrill is a former Navy pilot, ex-federal prosecutor and a mother of four

https://patch.com/new-jersey/montclair/montclair-mom-challenge-frelinghuysen-congress

Will not be easy, but she sounds like a great candidate.

Plus they have the actual letter he sent, with his handwritten notes. Looks very bad.

[Stuart G]

17. I hope you are correct..got to remember Mikie Sherrill..11th Cong Dist..New Jersey

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

20. Likewise

I'm inclined to donate to her campaign.

[blue-wave]

12. That letter is so against

the law and our constitution. If she was fired because of this action, she should sue him for everything he has and more.

[Stuart G]

13. From what I read..she was not fired, she resigned.

She said she resigned because of additional pressure put on her by the bank because of this letter.

[Justice]

14. constructive termination - basically frozen out - forced to resign

[AgadorSparticus]

18. I sure hope the good people of NJ get ahold of this doozie. What a POS!!!