Micro$oft Political Action Committee

MacMilitia.com received this email from our contact form (anonymous sender), titled "Micro$oft PAC":

Just thought you'd like to see how Micro$oft is begging it's employees to contribute to it's political action committee.

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Gates
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 1999 12:49 PM
To: Microsoft Corp PAC
Cc: Christine Turner Subject:

Many of you have asked what you can do to help our efforts in Washington D.C. While we must stay focused on our jobs, there is one thing that you, as a senior Microsoft employee, can do to help: support the Microsoft Corporation Political Action Committee (MCPAC) at <<http://pacweb/>>.

There is a high-stakes battle today over the proper role of the government in the Information Age between those who desire a positive, limited role, and those who want an interventionist, regulatory role that stifles innovation in the marketplace. By giving your support to the MCPAC, you can participate more effectively in the political process that will shape our future. With the critical 2000 elections just one year away, and the increased political activity of our competitors, your support is more important than ever.

The MCPAC pools the personal contributions of senior Microsoft employees and their spouses to support candidates for federal office. (It is illegal for corporations to contribute directly to the campaigns of federal candidates for office, which is why we formed a PAC back in 1988). This is a non-partisan organization that is essential to building and maintaining critical relationships with Members of Congress. These relationships are more important to our business and industry than ever before. Unlike many corporate PACs, the MCPAC specifically targets only those key individuals who will make a difference on issues such as competition, encryption, intellectual property rights, privacy, Internet regulation and taxation, immigration, telecommunications, and other issues that are important to our business and industry. Through its ability to contribute directly to candidates, the PAC is an important tool in our participation in the political process.

Last year, the MCPAC grew substantially thanks to the participation of many of you. More than $500,000 was raised so that we were able to help candidates in the 1998 election cycle who were sensitive to high-tech issues. The MCPAC hosted every major presidential candidates on campus and more than 300 events, each of which has provided opportunities to better educate federal policy makers.

Several of us have consistently contributed the annual maximum of $5,000 to the PAC. Your spouse is also eligible to contribute up to $5,000. I urge you to join me in supporting the Microsoft PAC and suggest a contribution of $1,000, $2,500, or the annual maximum, $5,000. Of course, you may give any amount within the $5,000 limit, or nothing at all.

Making your pledge to the MCPAC is now easier due to a recent ruling by the Federal Election Commission which allows eligible Microsoft employees to make their pledges on-line at <<http://pacweb/>>. At this site, you can also find frequently asked questions about the MCPAC to help you make your decision.

Your decision to join the Microsoft PAC or to increase your contribution is strictly personal and voluntary. No employment or compensation decisions will be based on your decision to participate or not to participate in the PAC. Please remember PAC contributions are neither deductible for federal income tax purposes nor reimbursable. In addition, federal law requires that only U.S. citizens and persons possessing a green card may participate.

If you have any questions about the MCPAC or making contributions to federal candidates, please contact johnkell or mikeeg in LCA.

Thank you for your support.

An interesting email... too bad I can't verify the authenticity of it. MacMilitia.com takes NO responsibility for the truth or falsity of this information. Of course, you can always comment on it through email, our contact form, or our discussion forums.

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