I work
with another grassroots (or nonprofit) organization. Do I have
to give up my membership there to join the PUA?
No way! The PUA wants
you active in as many memberships and groups as you can belong
to because it gives you a wider perspective and helps bring
better debate to the PUA.
Think of the PUA for
what it is... a national umbrella organization that brings like
minded individuals, groups and other organizations together to
create a massive voter pool of like-minded people (the majority)
who want to work on the same issues or solutions for the
"common good" of us all. We all have special
interests, that's not going to ever change, but we also have
common interests, and the PUA is your solution for addressing
that.
Remember this... it is
not the PUA itself that decides what the PUA works on or tackles
or how it tackles it - the members - you - everyone who
participates determines what the PUA does, thinks, and works on
- we're operated (or soon will be) just like a democracy -
everyone votes - the majority decide (at least that's where
we're headed - give us time to get set-up).
What sort of special
interests does the PUA represent? Are you only immigration issue
focused for example?
We're common interests -
nothing to do with special interests. We work across all major
national issues on behalf of all Americans. We describe this
concept as working on behalf of the "common good."
This week or month or year we may be focused on several hot
issues, like immigration or healthcare, but next week or year
we'll likely be on to something else that is hot. Our goal is to
solve problems, so we go where ever the problems are and that's
where we fight.
How is
the Patriot Union of America funded?
The PUA start-up was financed
by a small private
loan and continues to operate on the dues and contributions of
its individual members, store revenues,
fund raising events, grants, and private donations. Because is
being set-up as
a
pending 501 (c)(4) nonprofit lobbying organization, such contributions to
the PUA are NOT tax deductible (regardless whether they include
membership fees,
donations, etc.).
What is
the annual operating budget of the PUA?
The PUA just had its
1-year anniversary on July 4th, 2007 in which it operated fully
on loan proceeds. As we enter the second
year of service, its annual operating
budget will remain unestablished and not likely forthcoming
until our third full year of operations has been concluded. The PUA unofficially began on July 4th, 2006 during its initial
conception and framework stages but did not conduct significant
public business in 2006.
What is
the PUA's purpose?
The PUA
is a citizen's advocacy and a national umbrella voting
union designed to work on the key issues and solutions for the
"common good" of all Americans, as opposed to big
business and special interests.
Do I have to spend a
lot of time getting involved with the PUA if I'm a member?
No. You don't have to do
anything if you don't want to---just join and donate and that will
make a big difference all by itself...
However, we would love
to see you spend at least 10 minutes per month answering our online
polls and surveys (coming out at the end of summer 2008). Just one day per month, flip
on the Internet, drink some coffee or tea or smoothies or
whatever and run down the survey questions checking the
appropriate boxes---it's a "cake walk." And best of
all, your opinion counts!
Our slogan: "Give us
10 minutes a month and we'll give you a better America!"
Don't feel like
answering the surveys? Fine, send us a small "I'm Feeling
Guilty" donation and we'll forgive you---because we need
help from all directions, thank you very much!
Does the PUA have
anything to offer kids?
ABSOLUTELY!
Children are our future!
We are currently
planning an entire children's section on the newly designed 2009
release Web site where children can learn US history, play learning games,
and even vote in online polls. Resources for teachers will also
be made available as we grow. Known as the Patriot
Kids Leaning Center, this section of our future Web site promises to be one of the best things
about the PUA as we make politics a fun and learning experience
for the whole family.
Imagine your child on
your lap and pressing a few keys to send a letter directly to
the White House! That's really too cool Mom and Dad!
How does
the Patriot Society fit in to the PUA?
The
Patriot Society is the Official Primary Affiliate of the PUA and
our go-to think tank and research center. In the past we
have used them to help us conduct research projects and create
important reports. We look forward to a long-term, mutually
beneficial relationship with them and all our Group Providers.
Who can become an
official Affiliate organization to the PUA?
Virtually any nonprofit organization can become a PUA
Affiliate provided they agree
to the PUA Bi-Laws of Affiliate Membership Agreement. All Affiliates must
comply to a standard of ethics and professionalism per the PUA's
Affiliate
Policy.
Is this like a normal
Affiliate Program that I see all over the Net?
No. This is a more
traditional form of affiliation. Affiliates actually become
organization members who support the PUA. The PUA is not about
individuals, it is about bringing large groups together to work
on common interest projects in the political arena - using the
power of the masses on behalf of the masses.
What are the key
benefits to becoming a PUA Affiliate?
Affiliates greatly
benefit by gaining access to the vast PUA network and its
membership. Benefits include (but are not limited to) the
following:
-
Increased value
offering to your current member roles by offering PUA
memberships
-
Increased utility of
your organizational efforts through expansion of your
resources tapping into the rich PUA membership.
-
Access to the Affiliate
Work Center and ability to target like minded
organizations to gain assistance, expertise, general
know-how, and much more.
-
Ability to access
the entire PUA membership for your political push projects
(provided they meet with the PUA's "common good"
policies - Note: all communications come through the PUA
only).
-
The prestige of
belonging to one of the premier political vehicles for
positive change in the United States and a part of US history.
-
Increased revenues
from PUA membership sales and donations.
-
And so much more!
When will the Affiliate
Work Center project be up and running?
The AWC
project is part of our future Web site system project
incorporating several new modules to benefit both the public and
our Affiliate organizations. Like all projects, it depends on
funding but we are hopeful to hit our June, 2009 wish-line.
What if my Affiliate
organization's interests or my own interests conflict with the
PUA majority or issue?
Nobody agrees with
everything all the time. For the issues
that you or the Affiliate do not agree with or do not support,
simply abstain from participation and wait for the next issue to
come up where you feel like participating.
Meanwhile, another issue
will be coming around the corner that you or the Affiliate will
likely support (while other PUA members do not) so goes the
cycle.
It is
essentially the PUA's political platform of non-partisanship
principles. The PUA does not want to waste its time and
resources evaluating hundreds of affiliate initiatives that are
simply partisan or special interest in nature. The PUA is set-up
to work on behalf of the entire US population of voters
(regardless of our membership roles), and not for any select
group or special interest.
BLAM is
designed to ensure that affiliates present the PUA with initiatives
that are designed to be good for the majority (common good) of the US
population and that the PUA Board can present to the membership
for survey, vote, and support.
Are
contributions to the PUA tax deductible?
No.
The PUA is a lobbying
organization so, by law,
contributions are not tax-deductible. However, the PUA
membership fee or standard $50 donation are so low that the tax deduction value would only
amount to a few pennies anyway.
Why does
the PUA use Affiliates?
We know
that most voters have special interests, which are natural. We
also know that millions of voters belong to a myriad of organizations.
Further, all voters also have a collective interest in the
"common
good."
Examples of a "common good" issue are
terrorism, border security, illegal immigration, healthcare,
worker protection, job creation, etc.
For
these "common good" issues, the PUA seeks to bring all affiliate
memberships under a single umbrella or voting block toward affecting
solutions on major issues for the benefit of all Americans, not
just special interest or partisan groups. Affiliate are the
mechanism by which the PUA brings together voters to work on
select issues deemed highly critical to the American public at
large.
How do
Affiliates with their issues benefit from the PUA?
All
Affiliates to the PUA are able to access the PUA membership for
majority support and potential backing for their positions
or initiatives when they reflect a nonpartisan, non-special
interest or "common good" design. This gives the Affiliates a much louder and
more powerful
voice on some of their key, common interest issues yet also helps the
"common good"
represented by the PUA. The Affiliate's public reach is greatly
extended.
If I
become a PUA member, does it mean I have to give up my
membership in my other political organizations?
No!
We
encourage everyone to join and participate in at least two
political organizations in order to gain perspective and advance
their positions. Think of the PUA as your independent national organization
for common-interests issues (for the "common good"), and other
organizations as your special interest issues promoting your unique
or individual concerns.
What if I'm a Democrat
or Republican or Independent? Can I still join the PUA?
Of course. The PUA is
designed for all Americans, regardless of their special
interests or party interests or involvement. The PUA focuses on
voters so if you're legally able to vote, you automatically
qualify for Card Carrying membership in the PUA. And if you can
not legally vote (as in too young or you are a new immigrant,
etc.) you can still join the PUA as an Associate member. Lastly,
the PUA's goal is that every American, rich or poor, will be a
member of the PUA so if for any reason you cannot afford PUA
membership, the PUA will donate a membership to you. All US
citizens are welcomed at the PUA!
How do I
volunteer to help the PUA?
Go to our
Volunteer page and sign up. Tell us what you're interests or
skills are and how you would like to help. You should get a
response within one week.
Can I
advertise the PUA for free for you?
Free
advertising is always great, however, please contact us at:
bus (AT)
patriotunion.org if you plan to advertise for us.
Let us know what you would like to do so we can be
sure it's consistent with our marketing materials and public
relations message. Of course, feel free to blog away, link, or
write friendly articles about us.
What are some of the goals of the
PUA?
See our About
page.
How did the PUA get
started?
Members of the Patriot
Society were working on illegal immigration issues research when
they realized that the Congress had not only been irresponsible
to the American public for over 20 years regarding illegal immigration,
but a whole host of other issues, including Social Security, Medicare,
Medicaid, America workers, free trade, and so many things. In
fact, America's problems were so far out of hand that it seemed
like the Congress had been working for an entirely different
country and certainly not for Americans. Realizing that millions
of Americans were feeling hopeless and unable to affect change
on their government (for example, the Iraq war), Xelan
Bonn founded the Patriot Union of America start-up with the goal
of placing power back in the hands of the American people
through the power of the collective vote.
Within a few months, the organization began to take on a life of
its own with overwhelming support coming from the activist
community. The PUA is goaled with becoming the single largest
voter representative organization in the United States operated
by and for the membership itself - the American people!
Who is Xelan Bonn?
Just some guy... just
kidding!
Besides being our
founder and president, Mr. Bonn holds a Masters in Business
Administration and has over 30 years business management and
consulting experience in industries including: real estate,
development, construction, information technology, marketing,
media, journalism, political strategy, film making, and
more. He has started and managed several successful businesses.
He is current chairman of the Patriot Society, a nonprofit,
nonpartisan think tank that works on key middleclass
issues. The Patriot Society works include supplemental policy
advisories to the White House and select members of Congress on
key issues of national and international interest.
Mr. Bonn also holds a Bachelor's in Communications and is
published author with several completed works ranging from
books, news articles, commentary, political strategy, business
management, and much more.
Mr. Bonn is a registered Independent and nonpartisan. He
believes that Americans should join parties but always be
willing to select the very best candidate that represents a
person's own values and interests and not be otherwise swayed by
the partisanship or gamble voting.
What is gamble voting?
Gamble voting is when a person tries to
guess who they believe may win the election (or who appears to
have the best chance win) and to vote for that person rather
than voting for the candidate that best reflects a person's own
values and interests. Another name for it is "brainless
voting" or "popularity voting" or "shallow
minded voting."
Why Should I Join The
PUA?
Look around. There are
not many organizations out there that are fighting for you on
Capitol Hill unless you're a super wealthy transnational
corporation with deep pockets and able to throw large amounts of
money at Congress in order to get your message across. If you're
in the poor or middleclass, you don't have too many champions on
your side. When you find them, you should try to support as many
different organizations as you can because they're all working
on something different and likely equally important to you and
your family and your future America. We suggest that you try to
invest $250 a year or more across several citizen's advocacies
and help keep them afloat and operating, because the reality is,
"special interest" is throwing millions of dollars
against them and you. So unless Americans all pull their weight
collectively, a terrible future in is store for all of us -
special interest wins!
Remember this key fact,
Congress only listens to two things: MONEY or VOTES. By joining
the PUA, you're pooling your vote where it counts, as well as
your money. The PUA not only supports itself, but also aids
other advocacies who are also working on the common good. As
Americans we only have two choices: we can either stand alone
and divided, which is what special interest wants so it can
assure its wins, or we can all stand together with one
overwhelming voice, wielding the power of the collective vote
for common good issues! The choice is yours.
For about the price of a
movie ticket, you can become a yearly PUA member and really make
your voice heard and count. The question is, do you believe your
country and future is worth at least $12 a year? The PUA would
pay it for you, but then again, we're already doing most of the
work for you and it's the public's financial support that makes.
If there was no PUA, you'd have to spend thousands of hours
researching the issues and finding the information in the
reports we offer to the public for free.
We need your help
financially - try $12 membership and a $20 donation once in a
while and rest at night knowing you did your part to protect
America by supporting us.
So how about it - will
you join us now and help your fellow
Americans try to fix their broken government?
More questions:
info
(AT) patriotunion.org
