All Time Greatest Hits...Best Freep Stunts

September 27, 2003 | Bob Stone

[bogeybob]

We are in a heated campaign with a trade association of municipal employees who are running a major tax increase campaign. Their Annual Convention is just around the corner and we are planning a freep.

We are looking for ideas for a spectacular freep. We want something better than standing around with signs. Any ideas for us?

[Little Bill]

Fax a press release to all news media

[Dutchgirl]

I was heartened by the mini-revoltution of the latte liberals in Washington State...a few costumes, a few bags of "biodegradable" coffee in the Sound and "voila" (or walla) tax revolt!

[martin_fierro]

This would be your department.

[bogeybob]

This is wonderful. Great ideas! We are from all over Maine!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

$10 says he's at his computer :o)

[TomServo]

You'll never top FReeping the Gore conference call. But good luck.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

We are from all over Maine

That's obviously not anything at all like John Denver being from over California, is it?

[Straight Vermonter]

In Washington wouldn't that be Walla Walla?

[bogeybob]

We are geographically distributed around the Pine Tree State.

[Dutchgirl]

Exactly.

[Elephant in VT]

Bring an elephant.

Why drag my kind into this? LOL

[feedback doctor]

How about buying a billboard that says "You're to stupid to make your own decisions, and to stupid to know how to spend your own money. Vote Democratic (or dRat candidates name). and let us (me) do it for you."

[Nateman]

Fill a trough with play money. Have someone dressed like a pig play and frolic in it. Play in an endless loop "money makes the world go around and/or the beatles song "the taxman".

[AngrySpud]

If the employees are pushing for a wage increase, don't forget to calculate the Real Costs. Whatever the increase is, multiply by about 1.24 to factor in added costs as benefits and other items go up at the same time.

For a sign: "If you need higher wages, try the private sector"

[ETERNAL WARMING]

How about all the guys walk around with their pockets turned out and the females with purse liners turned out. The visual impact should speak volumes.

[IncPen]

A sign:

"The Unions Went to the Pork Trough and All I Got Was a Lousy Tax Bill"

[bogeybob]

Here is a good summary of the issue for your info:

I am leading a statewide PAC in a fight against a money grab by the trade association that represents municipal employees.

That group is the Maine Municipal Association. They are funding a campaign, with monies sent to Maine from the National Education Association as well as with moneys paid in as dues from the local property taxpayers, that will mandate that the state increase its percentage funding of Maine K-12 education by $264 million. (30% increase year 1)

They are broadcasting a commerical message statewide that lies to the voters. It says property taxes will be reduced 15% statewide. In fact, the ballot question they are foisting on the voters has zero guarantees, nor even mentions, that property taxes will be reduced. They fully intend to take the increased state monies and continue to tax the livin bejeebers out of us on the local level.

I am leading a grassroots statewide effort to beat these guys back. We are poor in relation to the powerful national teachers union and insiders. so we make noise with earned media.

I thought that a Maine freep of the MMA convention that starts October 8th might be a way to keep the media interested. We will freep them in any event, but I thought that posting a national message might generate some outstanding ideas.

Thanks for your interest.

[IncPen]

I'm too far away to be any help for a FReep, but I wish you luck...

[mewzilla]

"The Unions Went to the Pork Trough and All I Got Was a Lousy Tax Bill"

LOL!

The Unions Went to the Pork Trough and All I Got Was A Lousy Pink Slip works, too.