Tom Cole: congressman, telemarketer and email spammer
June 5th, 2007I don’t believe I’ve ever been represented by a busier guy than Tom Cole. A normal person would have their plate full just being a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. But not Tom. He still has a political consulting business and even finds time to run a Republican telemarketing and email spam operation as head of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
Cole’s scheme has been operating for a while now. I remember reading about it months ago.
Feb. 2007
I received a message, not taped, but from an actual person who informed me that I was going to receive the National Leadership Award and I should call Washington – D.C. – for the details.You bet I was excited. You don’t win a National Leadership Award everyday.
I called (1- 877-213-0603…don’t say I told you), and sure as shootin’, they were expecting my call and yes, because of my contributions to the world of business I was getting the award.
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Not only that but, hold on to your seats, they wanted me to become an Honorary Chairman of the Business Advisory Council!
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Then they put Congressman Tom Cole (R, Okla) on the line. Freakin’ Tom Cole.
Now, the Business Advisory Council is not just for anybody.
The Business Advisory Council is a small, prestigious group of conservative businessmen and women, who have joined with the NRCC to advocate a progressive, conservative, pro-business agenda.
In fact, it’s so small, prestigious and business-like, that everyone can be a chairman.
And all that happens with a donation of only five hundred dollars ($500.) to the NRCC, which I could make in two separate payments. Plus, if I can only send in two hundred ($200.) that would be okay too.
It’s bad enough that Cole is marketing National Leadership Awards and Chairmanships over the phone, but does he have to be an email spammer too? It makes Okies look bad.
I get this email from Congressman Tom Cole (R-Somewhere Where People Are Stupid Enough to Vote for Him):
At least Cole may have refined the sales phone pitch. Scott writes last week:
The voice on the phone was pleasant yet businesslike. The woman identified herself as Diane and said she was working out of United States Representative Tom Cole’s office.… she happily informed me that my sterling contributions to the local economy had resulted in a “National Leadership Award.”
She also told me that my standing in the community was such that I was being invited to serve as an Honorary Chairman of the Business Advisory Council.
When I asked about that, I was assured that there “are no actual duties and this will not take any of your time.” That’s a pretty good deal, don’t you think?
Not for me. I’d be more interested in a Political Science diploma from the small, but prestigious, Business Advisory Council College. And I assume it would include an honorary job with Cole Hargrave Snodgrass and Associates Inc.
June 11th, 2007 at 8:38 am
I too just received a call from the NRCC. This time it was to join Congressman Cole at a dinner with President Bush this Tuesday, along with receiving monthly questionaires regarding issues, and inclusion into an ad in the Wall Street Journal. I live in Maryland! Well, it’s a new approach that’s all I can say, and I’m glad that I found your blog so that I could get a little info on this to make sure it was moderately legit…???
June 13th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I just got what I think is the sixth or seventh call from the good congressman. They come into my home business line. I’ve asked them at least three times to take me off their list, to no avail. I live in San Francisco, not exactly a bastion of conservative thought, and I’m no exception. Is there any way to get rid of these calls? Pardon me for saying this, but the guy is a cockroach, do I have to change my phone number?
Actually, I’m serious about this. I seem to remember that the federal no-call registry has an exception for political calls, but there’s got to be a way. These people have no shame, and I’m tired of having my intelligence insulted on a regular basis by these calls. If NRCC actually gets money from poor slobs who think they’re going to have lunch with the president (and I guess they must be if they keep calling), they’re even worse than I thought. Slime.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Thank god you guys posted this so that I didn’t have to waste time when this telemarketing scheme came to call. Interesting that he is going after a registered democrat in New York to feed his Republican coffers. What a chump
June 15th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Thanks for the blog. I also got a call- a message left for me at an organization I volunteer at writing grants! Tom Cole’s “assistant” said my name came up in Wasington and they wanted me to join the Business Advisory Council. Sounded fishy- I am not important enough in any circle for my name to come up in Washington of all places! I live in Michigan!
Your site came up on my google search to check this out for legitimacy so thanks for saving my time talking to people like Tom Cole!!
June 18th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Count me in as another annoyed person. I just called the Congressman’s office and left a message with the person that picked up the phone saying that their misleading pitch was the worst I had seen and if they were a private company the FTC would be all over them for their misleading practices. I advise everyone who gets these calls to call the Congressman’s office and complain.
June 18th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
We all know that today’s marketers have access to powerful demographic profiles that allow pinpoint precision for soliciting prospects. For some time now, I’ve been convinced that my profile is quite unique if not accurate. I know this because of the emails from Nigerians with bank accounts they wish to share with me, posh resorts that regularly inform me that I’ve won free vacations, countless national sweepstakes begging me to claim many millions in prizes, spammers offering me free starter supplies of supplements that will increase the size of either my penis or my breasts (these, in particular, have me really confused), and now, on a fairly frequent basis, calls from Tom Cole staffers offering to hook me up for lunch with the president. Now I ask you, would Laura allow Dubbya to have a cozy lunch with a rich, posh resort roving, big-boobed transvestite with Nigerian ties? I don’t think so. And just think how it might jeopardize the approval ratings of his adoring public. Well, in any event, it would at least be an embarrassment to Laura.
I understand that congressman Tom is merely exercising his rights as a staunch Republican conservative. Money is Money, right? Who cares how you get it?
But for the record, I’ll continue to decline the lunch offers; if only because I haven’t a thing to wear.
June 20th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
When I got home this evening ther was a message on our answering machine from Congressman Tom Cole’s office. It was for my son, inviting him to join the Business Advisory Council. This seemed rather odd, as my son is 20 years old, attending college, majoring in art, and he is a registered democrat. It might be a little more effective if this message had been sent to an actual businessperson.
By the way, we live in Pennsylvania.
June 21st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I just received a call from some women who says they’re talking about me in Washington and Congressman Cole wants me to be on his Business Advisory Council.
I got really nervous that anyone in Washington was mentioning my name since I’m so far to the left I’m in the “decline to state category”. (Thought maybe it was a front for Homeland Security.
I’m behind on my taxes, my business license is overdue, cause my business is in a downward spiral. I guess they want to know “how not to do things”
And I live in Santa Barbara, Calif. where almost everyone wants to be somebody other than who they are
And most businesses last 5 minutes.
I’m glad I found your site. How do we expose the creep? And make him stop?
June 21st, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Thanks for the post. I too have recieved many calls as well. I also recieved calls from another congressman, Tom Reynolds as well, with the same exact messages. Horrible. Horrible. Horrible.
Chris
June 25th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I couldn’t have put it any better than George! He hit the nerd right on the head. I too received a call from Barbara who said my name came up in Wasington and they wanted me to join the Business Advisory Council and I should call them back right away. Like a good, simple minded person that I am, I decided to “google” Mr. Cole and here I am. Thank you for enlightening me. They should pay as much attention to the business at hand as they are in spamming and spoofing on our dollar.
Lori
June 25th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Thanks for this blog entry. I’m a New York Democrat and I received this call. I called Tom Cole’s office and told them they have the wrong guy. I spend my time and money FIGHT the evil and stupidity of the Republican Party. And I certainly am not gullible enough to believe their pitch.
I wish CNN or someone would do a story on this. I will direct them to your blog.
June 27th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Oy Vey!
One of Tom’s puppets left me a voice mail yesterday to let me know they wanted me on their council. I wonder how long it will take them to get my email address. As a life long conservative I would have fallen for this ploy a few years ago, but I have become so disillusioned recently that these attempts at money grabbing keep driving me further to the left. I decided before the last election to start voting for the people who gave me the biggest belly laugh. Coming from the land of Cynthia McKinney, I realize that the voter really has nothing to hope for, so why not try to at least vote for people who will make you laugh?
July 9th, 2007 at 8:45 am
I hate the government beacuse of douches like Tom Cole and John Shaw who called my work on behalf of Tommy and want me to serve on some council for republicunt business types. Thanks for this blog. Here’s the number 1 888 383 8065, just in case you want to serve on this council or buy some swamp land in florida.
July 11th, 2007 at 11:30 am
I too got a call from a person calling her self Lisa Myers and to call 1 888-383-4164 on July 11, this was my second call from them. I did not respond to any of them. I guessed it was something like that. Because I am from PA why would a congress person from Oak be calling me for anything but MONEY!
July 12th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Small businesses are hammered on a daily basis by sales people of all sorts, a cornucopia of government taxes and fees and now Congressmen attempting to scam money through methods more akin to Nigerian e-mail scams.
July 13th, 2007 at 7:32 am
My husband keeps getting these calls at our home. I work from home so I take the messages and then toss them. I could tell it was fundraising tactic from the get-go. This morning, Justin Robson called (1-888-383-4164) to say my husband is going to receive the Congressional Merit Award (!). So they’re faxing him paperwork and he needs to call back right away. Maybe if we ignore them long enough they’ll go away …
July 13th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Increasingly interesting. My caller was named Judith Rodgers, followed up by a fax on letterhead supposedly from the Business Advisory Counsel NRCC signed by Tom Cole. I’m beginning to wonder if it is really from his office. Same phone number as debbie’s. I live in VA. Said I was nominated because of being a small businessman who struggled to achieve success and set an example for the community.
July 13th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
I just got the call. They pushed to get a donation. When I turned down giving $100.00 she explained they were putting together a budget and needed to know how much they can expect me to send, no matter how small. I reassured her (Diane McFadden) I would send nothing. I am looking so forward to getting their packet in the mail and the Congressional Order of Merit Certificate… make them spend some of that money… why not?
July 15th, 2007 at 12:33 am
I’M ABSOLUTELY SEETHING. WHO CAN WE CALL TO COMPLAIN? DAILY OKLAHOMAN? THE SCUM KEEPS CALLING BACK AND WASTING OUR EMPLOYEE’S TIME. ALSO, IT’S AGAINST THE LAW TO USE THE PHONE TO SELL, RIGHT? I’M ON EVERY NOCALL LIST. CAROL DWYER
July 16th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I also thank you for the blog. I just received a call and a fax from Tom Cole’s office asking me to call back asap. It looked and smelled like a scam and from what everyone is writing as to their experience I can see that it truly is a scam. I can’t believe that Congress doesn’t stop this type of solicitation. If he wanted money he should just ask for it
July 18th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Well, me too. I got a call from Malissa Farber (?) informing me that I won the Congressional Order of Merit! NICE! Thanks Tom. Their phone number is 888.383.4164 in case you want to win as well.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:33 am
Great post! I was just contacted this morning by the National Republican and Congressional Committee in Washington and was awarded their highest honor, the Congressional Order of Merit. I’m a New York Democrat and decided to surf around for any reference to the toll-free number, (888)383-4164 before returning the call. I am not so disappointed to find out it’s just a telemarketing gimmick because… they’re Republicans and I would have turned it down anyway.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Representative Cole’s actions are laughable — but they are also unprincipled. I received the call and, as a consequence, sent the following to my congressman. I ask that anyone else who is offended by the unprincipled acts of Rep Cole do the same.
Dear Congressman (and Staffer who actually reads this!):
I just received this silly call from an Ohio telemarketer (Steve Brubaker of Infocision Management), claiming I have been nominated to the prestigious “Congressional Order of Merit,” so nominated by or through Republican Tom Cole. I am sure you know all about this scam — the hits via google are many.
I realize that Rep Cole’s actions are laughable. But they are also highly unprincipled. Rep. Cole has no right to hijack the word “Congressional” for the pecuniary benefit of the RNC, nor has he the right to mislead Americans with false telemarketing activities. I respectfully request, therefore, that you move to censure Rep Cole.
I also ask that you forward this email to Rep. Cole, if that is possible.
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:11 am
I received a call this morning from the office of Congressman Tom Cole with an offer to bestow on me the “Congressional Order of Merit.” WOW! That’s so much better than the rest of you who received an offer for a lowly “National Leadership Award.”
I thought it must be a scam because no one in their right mind would give me such an award so I typed 1-888-383-4164 into Google and it brought me to this site. Turns out I was right about the scam.
Congressman Cole is obviously a piece of crap… and that’s coming from a staunch, conservative Republican. Something should be done about the loophole that allows scammers like him to leave messages on phones.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:48 am
I too received a call this morning from the office of Congressman Tom Cole with an offer to bestow on me the “Congressional Order of Merit”. It is a telemarketing ploy for money as the phone number 1-888-383-4164 from Michael Lopez also lead me to this site. This site is very important and I gratefully thank you and all the respondents as I too couldn’t figure out why me? I am a female owned start up business in the second smallest town (2500 people) in Massachusetts. Note that his website does refer to the “do not call” list … his telemarketing actions may be permissable however, if I lived in OK I definitely wouldn’t vote for him – do you think our legislators are doing the same? Interesting thought ….
July 25th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
We just received one of these calls for the boss. I hate it when we don’t screen out the junk calls like this one. Thanks to you and this website for helping us keep one more leech from annoying our boss!
July 25th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I live in Cleveland, OH and apparently, these creeps got my name from a list as a small business owner through the State of Ohio! Bad people!
July 26th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Finally, someone has discovered ME! Altho I shudder to find out it is an Okie. I suspect this is another dirty trick by those Jackasses, the husband and wife team that wants so desperately to be in the control of this nation again. Lord Have Mercy. If not Hillary who else?
If this is not bad enough, someone knows I have a small, limp weenie. Where does one turn? I have spent all my money on pills and ointments. If it were not for my Nigerian friends whom will be sending me a large sum of money soon, only that gives me hope to find the cure for all of my “short comings”. If life were so simple. I wonder if they need the names of those sending me all of those narnia type tales that make no sense. If only I knew how to pass on these good words to those that deserve. Rather than a spam blocker I am waiting for the invention that returns a slight charge that literally melts the chips in the spammers computer and balls. Libertine begins to sound better all the time. Go Elephants!! Go Jackasses!! Go Liberlimps!! Hook ‘em Horns!!
July 27th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Got a call today from an Alice Raimie [sp. ??] telling me she was with the office of Congressman Tom Cole and the National Republical Congressional Committee. They wanted to award me the Nation’s higest honor, the Congressional Order of Merit. Since I haven’t won the Nobel Price recently, I figured this was a scam and googled Congressman Tom Cole and found your site. Thanks. I called the number they gave me 888-383-4164 and someone answered immediately. Was told Alice was not available. Here’s where fun begins. After giving person on other end my last name, I pressed a button to ring a little fake phone next to my desk, and told the staffperson I had to take a message on the other line. Put down their call and let it sit. It took about 6 minutes before Cole’s office hung. At least it wasted some of their time and lines. WHAT A SCAM!!!
July 30th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I also just received a phone call from “Diane” regarding my Congressional Order of Merit —- she was not pleasant when I told her I wanted my name removed from her list and that I would not tolerate any more calls to my home — Thanks for the info about this intolerable infringement on our privacy.
August 6th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Tom Cole: congressman, telemarketer and email spammer
Can you Okies keep your congressman bothering only Okies? Better yet vote this PUTZ out. I live in NY, I prefer to be scammed, spammed, and shat upon by my own breed, thank you…
August 9th, 2007 at 8:12 am
I wonder how he would feel if people started calling his residence with offers to send money for bogus certificates?
August 21st, 2007 at 11:19 pm
I received a message from Barron Von Hill today, of congressman Tom Cole’s office, telling me I won the Nation’s highest honor, the Congressional Order of Merit! How exciting I thought, until I came back to earth; nothing I have done at this point in my life is worth a national award… So like the rest I googled “888-383-4164″ and found this fantastic blog answering all my questions- thanks Mike & everyone for posting your experiences.
Do you guys really think Tom Cole is endorsing this? If so, I would love to harass him a little at his office…
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I just got the CALL! Thanks for having info available. I’m a Republican and this guy’s actions tick me off just the same. Thankfully I was raised a skeptic, so everything is suspect.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Damn it anyway!
I was wondering what I’d done to deserve a Congressional Order of Merit, but figures they were making the award for FABULOUS POTENTIAL! What foresight!
Then it slowly occurred to me (like I said, potential), I live in Skokie, IL. One of the Blue States. Why would Cong. Tom in Oklahoma care?
Now I know. I’ll inform my local Congresswoman of this nonsense, and suggest that others consider similar action.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Add my name to the list. There was a call waiting for me when I got to the store from “Ann McClean” informing me about my Congressional Order of Merit award. But I’m suspicious. If my name is being mentioned in Washington, that is not a good sign. On top of that, I live in Indiana. Something is not right here.
I have passed this information, along with the url for this site, to our local paper. Perhaps they will do something with it. occasionally, stories they do get picked up by the national press. While I dout it, perhaps enough negative publicity will kill this thing.
September 5th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
The award was created by writers of a Christian telemarketing company based in Akron, OH called InfoCision Management Corporation. They handle the fundraising for the National Republican Congressional Committee, The National Republican Senatorial Committee and the College Republicans. Currently they are in talks to handle the Republican National Committee.
That so many people accept the award as real is just more proof that a sucker is born every minute.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:13 am
I just got this call as well.
I previously had received the same invitation several years back from Tom Delay, so this is not a new thing …
My personal bet is that the US Chamber of Commerce sold their contact list to the Republicans. From being a local chamber member, we are also members of the US Chamber and this seems to fit the common denominator here. Other folks have chamber memberships?
September 10th, 2007 at 10:25 am
I agree with Tim. As a local chamber member, I’m automatically a member with the US Chamber. Of course, I just got my call from Oklahoma Congressman this morning. Pretty strange . . . considering that I’m from Florida. At least try to scam me using a Congressman from my own state! Good job, knucklehead.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Recieved a phone call today. I was told that I was nominated for an awrad by Congressman Tom Cloe. I Called them back to find out that they got my info out of our Small Business start-up. Their new current number is 888-383-4164. Janet Hoffman was the caller. Thanks for all the posting. I’m glad that I’m not the only one.
September 18th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Yes, I agree, must be via the Chamber membership.
What an annoying pain in the behind.
This has got to be illegal.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:33 am
OH MY Gosh–I have been chosen to win both awards this year!
I must be so interesting-LOL!
Honestly–what is up with all of this-Win an Award?
Ok-that could be SOOOOO cool-
PAY FOR THE AWARD? SOOOOOOO NOT COOL!
I actually enjoyed reading the Honorable Congressman’s Website-
I respect that he is the only Native American serving on The United States Congress!
I enjoyed reading about the important issues that he stands for and the committees upon which he serves upon-however, the Business Advisory Council was not mentioned in any of his “OFFICIAL” duties-
I know that most people might not want to have lunch with President Bush, but I would LOVE to!
Honestly–how many people that are not of POLITICAL persuasion, Royalty, Heads of State, or famous Athletic achievers, Musicians or “OTHER”, get to meet the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA???
I have some great views of the single parent-why wouldn’t I want to sit down and eat with the President to discuss issues close to my heart, talk about horses and family???
But, I want to earn an award that I don’t have to pay for-
I resent the fact that someone would call me and offer me an award that I would have to pay for —
JUST MY TWO CENTS-and I THANK GOD THAT I LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE I CAN STILL PUBLICLY STATE MY VIEWS–
October 8th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Received a phone call today. I was told I was nominated for an award by Tom Cole. I did not call back thanks to everyone on this site. The man that called me was named Ron Skowron phone number 1-888-383-4164. Thank you everyone who posted a comment.
October 11th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
I received the same phone call this morning. It was Jean Seagle from Tom Coles office saying I had won some rare award. number 1-888-383-4164. Thanks to all of you who posted comments, I didn’t bother returning their call.
As others said, the one time I get noticed, it is a scam
October 19th, 2007 at 8:02 am
I just received a call as well…at my OFFICE. I am SO a Democrat and also from Michigan so I thought it was awfully strange. I immediately deleted the message but my assistant wrote down the number. I thought I would Google it and this site popped up. This is the best scam I have seen in a while. Thanks for the laugh, Tom Cole!
October 19th, 2007 at 9:23 am
I, too, just received a call from Pat Roarba at Tom Cole’s office telling me I was to receive some award, the Medal of Merit, or something. She then said I needed to call 1-888-383-4164 ASAP. As I am happy being just a good citizen, from GEORGIA, I checked to make sure this Tom Idiot was a real Congressman and from where, then checked the phone number on Google. As expected, some scam.
October 31st, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Over the past few weeks, I have received several calls and faxes recommending me to receive the Congressional Order of Merit award and be on the Business Advisory Council which is led by National Chairman, Congressman Tom Cole. Wow! All I had to do was return a phone call.
Today I called them back. I told them I was glad they called, apologized for not getting back with them sooner, and asked them for some advice. They were polite and said they would try to help. I immediately asked them how I could quickly raise $500 since I am now unemployed and broke since I lost my business. They hung up.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:45 am
I never answer calls from numbers that don’t show up on my caller ID, so I have ignored this one several times. Last time around this Tom Cole rep left me a message she said I had won a congressional medal of honor. Yeah, right… this time it was something slightly different, forget what it was, but of course I ignored it (but Googled the call-back # this time). I figure I will hold out until they make me US president, then I will call back
What a scam.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I love my Congressional Order of Merit. It’s suitable for framing!
November 12th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Stacy Rosenberger called me today (888.383.4164)… I did return the call and was politely informed that Ms. Rosenberger was detained in meetings. This is an amazing country.
November 12th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
What a racket! Reva (sp?) Sellers on behalf of Congressman Tom Cole called me; the NRCC wants to award me with the Congressional Order of Merit. If it hadn’t sounded like a “boiler room” in the background, I might not have Googled… Thanks for posting your stories.
Wasn’t my Arizona area code a clue for them I wouldn’t be donating?!
I can’t wait to see the long list of names in the WSJ of the Republicans who could actually afford to “donate” for their ad… These days, I can’t even spare the cost of the return phone call because, “Dammit, Jim! I’m a Realtor, not a Republican!”
November 14th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Do you people really belive that this congrasman cole is realy involved with this or do you think some one is scamming and using his name to try and get cash out of you. really use your head and think about this scam. is it really a congrassman doing an illegal activity dout it. it most likely a cunning scammer who is running with this as long as they can
thoese of you who think the congressman is involved do some resurech call him not at the number you were given but look him up and use that info. dont be stupid and gullable and narow sighted that only leeds to lies and rummors that can ruin a persons life when thier is no reason. unless your the ones who started this.
November 14th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
It’s not illegal, only slimy. And not only is Rep. Cole involved, he acts downright embarrassed about it.
Cole was elected as NRCC Chairman Nov. 17, 2006.
That interview was posted on Oct. 25, 2007. Judging by people visiting this web page, it hadn’t stopped by then.
November 15th, 2007 at 10:10 am
NEWS FLASH—It is true what Tom Cole has said, things have changed. I just got a call from Betty Stalkman (great name given the circumstances) from the NRCC (1.888.383.4164) telling me that Congressman Tom Cole has invited me to attend his Tax Summit as well as join the Business Advisory Council. I got to hear a tape recorded message from Tom talking about the plight of Republican small business owners and high taxes. (I happen to agree with this point). They started asking for $600 to get my name in WSJ ad–after a quick No she went to $200 (2 easy payments). Finally after I told her I was not giving any money, she directed me to the website to complete my information gathering to finalize my Council seat. The 2-day tax summit I was invited to is in DC in March–(costs not yet finalized) and will be attended by Bush. Unbelievable!
HERE IS THE TWIST–I happen to agree with positions of the organization and the Congressman (small businesses are over burdened and over taxed) but these slim-ball tactics are beyond the pale! It is this kind of crap that distracts from the real issues and bundles all legitimate tax reduction efforts together with this deception. With this type of tactic being so pervasive, it is no wonder why some small business owners don’t even consider how terrible the current tax structure and they are just happy to “take it” year after year with no effort in reform.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:14 am
And the calls & faxes continue: This time, Jean Frieswyk calling to award my boss a “Congressional Medal of Merit” (though the fax stated “Congressional Order of Merit” – they can’t even keep the name straight!).
December 24th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Today, Dec 24th at 8:15 AM !!!!! I got a call from
this man. I live in NY, it is Christmas eve morning,
WHAT IS HE THINKING ???????????
December 27th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
I am in California and the call came today – said I needed to call 866-854-1085 to receive some Congressional Business Award for my contribution to the California Business community. I put the number in Google and found this website
I am no longer a member of either party yet I could receive this Congressional award. Disenchanted with both parties…… Vote em all out….
January 15th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Still sending out spam and fax’s to folks all over the area. Our business is in PA and this time the name is Dale Wolf who calls on this congressmans’ behalf. Be forewarned it is a scam and well worth the effort to hang up the phone .
February 21st, 2008 at 10:49 am
Just got mine. Thanks for the blog.
March 1st, 2008 at 10:42 am
Add another one to the list. Glad I found this.
March 12th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Just got the call/fax. What I want to know is who really got to meet dubbya?
March 12th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the blog. I just got a call for my husband to receive an award from Tom Cole and we are independents living in Colorado. When I tried to question the women on my husband’s merits she just mentioned his name came up on a list, and based on our past contributions to the Republican party. Based on our past contributions of 0$, they must be pretty desperate. Don’t they think we have internet and might look into these things. Idiots!
March 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I just received the call from Linda from “Congressman Tom Cole’s office” for a business leadership award I have won. She called and left call back # 1-866-264-3583. I haven’t called it back yet (I’m going to call it back to document any false claims. I’m wondering if the people who have given them money and received their “reward” will post on here?
March 20th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I just got a call from Kim McLain. Same message. If it hadn’t cost me I would have signed up. I’d love to have Tom Cole know that one of his “Order of Merit award winners” has a long connection with a nationwide reproductive health care organization. Tom, can I bring my science-based sexuality education material with me to the ceremony?
April 1st, 2008 at 12:32 am
Poor Tom:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/magazine/30Republicans-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&oref=slogin
April 4th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
This is still going on. I’m in Wisconsin and just got a call that I am to receive the Congressional Order of Merit award. A very personable woman named Debbie Westlake called and left a voice mail about it. After erading the postings on your website, I’m not sure I’ll call back.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Go here http://www.cole.house.gov/contact-tom.html
and type in the zip code for Norman, OK (73019), to get through to the email form on Cole’s site.
Send him your own comments on how you feel about this stupid NRCC programme. I did.
p.s. I’m not ashamed to say I didn’t use my real details when filling out the form.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I received a letter inviting me to a dinner to be attended by the president in WA. Dumb me thought that was my State, WA (actually it was DC). I did make a donation. That was a year and a half ago. SInce I have been FLOODED with phone calls, emails, and letters. I have tried to stop these on over fifteen occasions to no avail. I have placed six phone calls and was assured my name would be taken off all databases, but that never happened. I recently called the RNC and was told they have nothing to do with Tom Cole’s Committee. I now state in all correspondence that I will NEVER donate any money whatsoever to any Republican cause again. I hope many of you folks do the same.