Do you agree with Congress - Breast Cancer Commemorative Coin Bill Pulled?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 13:20:29 -0400

Did you know that there was a bill introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) to create commemorative $5, $1, and 50-cent pink coins to recognize breast cancer research—with the proceeds to go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and to Susan G. Komen?

Do you agree with Congress - Breast Cancer Commemorative Coin Bill Pulled?

http://nonprofitquarterly.org/2015/07/15/congress-thinks-before-it-pinks-breast-cancer-commemorative-coin-bill-pulled/

Yes, Susan G. Komen (formerly “for the Cure”), the organization whose “brand equity” plummeted after organizational turmoil in 2012 after it tried to pull funding from Planned Parenthood and then reversed itself after widespread protests that the funding it was providing had nothing to do with abortion rights. For its decision to bow to anti-abortion protesters and politicize women’s cancer screenings, Komen lost about 22 percent of its donations in one year. (The prime mover behind the Komen action was Karen Handel, who had run for governor in Georgia as a Republican on a strong anti-abortion platform, though few people think that Komen founder Nancy Brinker wasn’t fully involved and informed.) Ironically, the Maloney bill which had been on a fast-track process due to its overwhelming bipartisan support, including 142 Republicans among the bill’s 307 co-sponsors, was pulled after Heritage Action called on Republicans to reject the bill because of Komen’s link to Planned Parenthood.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 30 at 2015 1:58 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 13:58:42 -0400

Yes, COL Mikel J. Burroughs I would concur with the U.S. Congress - a Commemorative Postage Stamp makes more sense than a Commemorative Coin.
I would not support any U.S. funds going to the Susan G. Komen organization or any other supporter of Planned Parenthood especially while Congress is calling for investigations of Planned Parenthood selling pre-born baby body parts.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2015 2:00 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 14:00:43 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Overall I think there is an issue with the minting of coins to raise funds for any organization. This act is moving onto treacherous ground, where does one draw the line? If it is done for one organization this will make it susceptible for being used for nefarious purposes. Has this been used as a method for fund raising before? On the grounds of Congress squashing her Bill as retribution because of her association with Planned parenthood. Does the power of lobby groups cause our politicians to fear for their own careers to the point of them withdrawing their support for a Bill? Our leaders are not running the country when they are caving to lobby groups. This leads me to conclude that our country is not being ran by those that are elected but instead by business and special interest groups.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 30 at 2015 2:16 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 14:16:15 -0400

Does the Susan B Anthony coin ring a bell? Waste of money. JMHO.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 30 at 2015 2:53 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 14:53:12 -0400

The US Government is not in the "Charity" business. Based on the article, that's exactly what this is.

If a charity wants to create Commemorative Coins, there are non-government avenues to create those. The US Mint has created Commemorative Coins, but they tend to be non-charity in nature, and relate to the United States and "landmark" or "event" instead.

http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/?action=commemoratives

The United States Mint Coins and Medals Program

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2015 3:35 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 15:35:25 -0400

Yes, I agree with Congress. It would be too expensive to cast charity coins. Why not have pink stamps instead? But, I wouldn't give any money to the SGK foundation. I'm sorry for the horrible thing cancer does to male and females, but if Congress did that, it would be asked by other charities for the same thing. No, it's not a good thing for our country.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 30 at 2015 4:00 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 16:00:00 -0400

Minting US money TAKES US money to do. We can't afford to mint regular money, let alone commemorative money. And of course, if you do it for ONE you will have to do it for ALL. IMHO, it makes sense to pull it.

Response by MSgt Steve Miller made Aug 30 at 2015 4:28 PM

MSgt Steve Miller — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 16:28:49 -0400

COL Milel Burroughs I agree with the bill being pulled, and I’m not sure they should have considered the coin in the first place. If we do this for breast cancer what’s next on the list. Before we know it we will have commemorative and/or legal tender coin for every cancer known to humankind.

The current “climate” would have republicans at war with women. Every time I turn around some politician is either calls republicans racist, or comparing republicans to terrorist. So, I’m sure they were supporting the coin to avoid further labeling. The Planned Parenthood issue appears to be what turned the tide. Otherwise someone would want a coin for colon cancer, skin cancer, ovary cancer ect…..

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 31 at 2015 12:42 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 00:42:13 -0400

That is too bad. Sorry to hear that.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Aug 31 at 2015 6:50 AM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 06:50:42 -0400

I believe the stamp is a better option

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 31 at 2015 10:04 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:04:15 -0400

Sir would orgs like this be better served with the use of commerative savings bonds instead of coins? I've never heard of a savings bond used this way, and it could still be a viable thing that could be passed down generation to generation. I got a savings bond that my grandmother bought the year I was born. It's not worth much in todays dollars, but it is cool knowing this was made that long ago and passed down to me. I think it would hold more weight than a simple coin.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 6:12 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 18:12:34 -0400

Unfortunately this is yet another example of how conflicted our politics are. Essentially linking a supporter or organization to a bill or action renders that action null and void. It is unfortunate, but something that is not all that uncommon given the speculation and scandal surrounding Planned Parent Hood and Komen. It sounds like they have some alternative tributes in the works already.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Sep 4 at 2015 1:58 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 13:58:17 -0400

This was dumb, I can't even believe that this would even make it as an introduced bill...it is even shameful on the side of Susan G. Komen foundation.

Response by PO3 Dickey Henderson made Sep 22 at 2015 3:10 PM

PO3 Dickey Henderson — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 15:10:59 -0400

What about the rape of young boy in Afghanistan do we expect our military to do nothing, what message are we sending ?