National Rifle Association chief executive Wayne LaPierre, who pushed past scattered calls for his resignation earlier this year amid allegations of misspending, received a 57 percent pay raise in 2018 that boosted his overall compensation to $2.15 million, according to the nonprofit group’s latest tax filings.
LaPierre received a base salary of $1.3 million, plus a bonus of $455,000 and “other reportable compensation” of more than $427,000, the filings show. LaPierre also received an additional $73,793 in “retirement and other deferred compensation” and “nontaxable benefits” from the NRA and related entities, according to the filings, which the NRA provided to The Washington Post on Friday.
LaPierre’s pay increase comes at a time when the gun group has been under pressure to explain large payments to top executives, even as it has cut spending on firearms training and political activities and frozen pension benefits for employees.
Revelations that LaPierre spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury menswear and travel, and that the NRA considered buying him a multimillion-dollar estate, has led to months of internal warfare. NRA officials have staunchly defended their stewardship of NRA funds as the Democratic attorneys general of Washington and New York investigate the tax-exempt group’s spending.
“Wayne LaPierre’s compensation reflects his enormous contributions to our members and the freedoms for which they fight,” NRA President Carolyn Meadows said in a statement. “His contributions to the NRA have been transformative.”
Oliver North, who was ousted as NRA president in April after accusing LaPierre of overspending on legal fees, received $1.38 million from the group’s former public relations agency, Ackerman McQueen, according to the tax filings. That payment is just one part of a sprawling and bitter legal battle between the NRA and Ackerman McQueen, which was paid $38.3 million in 2018, more than any other independent contractor.
The NRA also reported paying $13.8 million in 2018 to the law firm of William Brewer III, who has become one of LaPierre’s most trusted advisers. North had claimed that Brewer had received millions more over a longer period that ended in April 2019, when the NRA broke with North and Ackerman McQueen.
NRA officials said in a statement that Brewer’s firm represents the organization on a variety of matters and that the relationship has been carefully reviewed.
North’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
Last year, LaPierre and his wife, Susan, were interested in a 10,000-square-foot estate with lakefront and golf course views in Westlake, Tex., on the market for about $6 million, according to emails and text messages previously described to The Post. According to the tax filings, a company called WBB Investments was “formed in connection with a possible transaction that was never ultimately executed.”
The company was linked to the aborted real estate deal, according to two people with knowledge of the proposed transaction who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about it.
The Post has reported that 18 members of the unpaid, 76-member NRA board have collected money from the group during the past three years, according to tax filings, state charitable reports and NRA correspondence reviewed by The Post.
The new tax filing shows that the NRA paid another former board member, actor Tom Selleck, $476,000 last year for “collectible firearms.” Selleck’s attorney told the Wall Street Journal, which reported the payment several days ago, that the arrangement was approved by the board and that the actor made little or no profit from it.
Crow Shooting Supply, a firearms business controlled by past NRA president Pete Brownell, received $3.2 million from the NRA Foundation, the group’s charitable arm. NRA officials and Brownell have said the group began purchasing supplies from Crow before Brownell took over the company in 2011. Brownell is among more than a half-dozen NRA board members who have stepped down since May.
The NRA ended the year with a $2.7 million shortfall in 2018, compared with a $17.8 million shortfall the previous year and an even bigger hole of $45.8 million in 2016.
“The NRA’s financials are strong and trending in the right direction,” said Andrew Arulanandam, an NRA spokesman.
Spending by the political arm of the NRA dropped from $47.1 million in 2014 to $32.51 million in 2018, the filings show. That was the midterm election in which Democrats took over the House and gun-control groups outspent the gun lobby for the first time.
i would like to see an independent public available audit of that group. i have been a member for decades but am not liking some of the schit i hear. 2 mil for a ceo is not out of the question, depending on revenue. 6 million dollar homes and tens of thousands on suits are though.
So they spent $58 million on things unrelated to protecting gun rights, eh? How many people dug into their meager wallets to support the NRA's ALLEGED mission? Only to have all that cash blown on salaries and perks?
I was a life-long supporter and donor. No more. Not unless and until there is a cosmic upheaval and change back to the NRA's roots.
I think the NRA top brass needs to be well paid inorder to attract and retain talent but when you're making in a year what most consider to be a fully funded retirement that is when that has ballooned way too much.
I think the NRA top brass needs to be well paid inorder to attract and retain talent but when you're making in a year what most consider to be a fully funded retirement that is when that has ballooned way too much.
I think the NRA top brass needs to be well paid inorder to attract and retain talent but when you're making in a year what most consider to be a fully funded retirement that is when that has ballooned way too much.
He has no talent for the position. A true stiff.
I agree with you, he's been terrible for the NRA and they need to clean house.
All of the news article may be true. But judging by all the other fake news I’m skeptical. Nothing the libs would like better than the NRA to fail. Hasbeen
Benefactor member here. Add up the cost of Life, Patron, Endowment, Benefactor and all the 50 and 100 dollar checks I've sent since I first joined in 1955 and I could have a nice cabin on my deer property. I believed in them but no longer. ISRA is where my money goes now.
All of the news article may be true. But judging by all the other fake news I’m skeptical. Nothing the libs would like better than the NRA to fail. Hasbeen
I still support the NRA but they have huge problems that need taking care of immediately, They are going to loose a lot of base if they don't address these problems soon.
Big money, little oversight or accountability, how could this happen? I am a Benefactor but will withhold further contributions until they overhaul management and return to their roots. I have always believed that every gun owner should be a member of the NRA and encouraged many to join, wife is a Life member also. Not sure where to contribute in future.
I think the NRA top brass needs to be well paid inorder to attract and retain talent but when you're making in a year what most consider to be a fully funded retirement that is when that has ballooned way too much.
He has no talent for the position. A true stiff.
I'd be interested to hear how he got the job in the first place.
I have little idea as to the actual merits of the case but when the public image of this organization becomes as sleazy as it has, such that even longtime donors are leaving, its time for LaPierre to take a severance package and step down.
Surely there must be a qualified individual financially secure enough that they don’t NEED to derive their primary income from the NRA (sorta like President Trump in the WH).
Got a call from the NRA a couple years ago. After hearing the same complaint about money needed for this or that. I said to the caller " every time a liberal farts in congress or the senate you call looking for more money, No!" Caller "so what does that mean?"
So they spent $58 million on things unrelated to protecting gun rights, eh? How many people dug into their meager wallets to support the NRA's ALLEGED mission? Only to have all that cash blown on salaries and perks?
I was a life-long supporter and donor. No more. Not unless and until there is a cosmic upheaval and change back to the NRA's roots.
They'll not see another nickel from me, either, until I see sweeping changes made to what essentially amounts to debauchery.
The media is doing a spectacular job of sowing dissension in the ranks of what has been and continues to be the most effective organization out there for gun rights. It's not hard, really. They start throwing out there some of the salaries and costs incurred by operating at top levels in fields of endeavor little understood or experienced by the largely blue-collar membership and they immediately have them in an uproar. It's the same way the left tears down successful institutions of all kind that are not philosophically aligned with them. At the same time, many of the people all indignant about what Wayne LaPierre is making have not problem supporting, through their patronage, entertainers who make obscene amounts of money playing children's games with balls. It's a shame everyone is not so worked up over the politicians of all stripes who, somehow, on salaries comparable to what a lot of us here make, end up with multimillion dollar homes and millions in the bank. People are funny.
Last solicitation i told the " paid member" no more until they clean house. She said she gets that a lot. I am sick od the calls and junk mail Gun club requires membership. I like rifleman mag mostly, and they are the big name in the game. Selick may get on my list too. Quigley rifle? That Heston rifle made a photo op, but it reminds me of the italian rifle jokes. Give me a rifle and i will add patina
Common people with only a couple million a year there is no way he could fund his own retirement. Poor basssstard. Let’s all chip in for a better plan for him. Ed k
I guess it depends on who’s looking at salaries. 17 Charity CEO Salaries Over $1-Million - Listed 2016
It's that time of year again when people tend to give more to charities. Considering that their ads often give the impression that money you send to them will be used to help poor and suffering people, the following salaries seem excessive and may even be considered unethical. I was unable to locate a comprehensive 2017 salary chart for CEO salaries, but Charity Watch lists 25 excessively paid charity CEOs, with the first 17 names on the list receiving over $1-million per year in annual salaries, as their most recent 2016 summary. This coincides with increasingly dramatic income inequality in society. I'd like to add a caveat that this is merely pointing out what is listed on other sites, and I cannot vouch for the reliability of these.
17 Charity CEO Salaries Over $1-Million
1. Craig B. Thompson, M.D. President/CEO Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center $2,925,426 12/31/2014 2. Robert W. Stone President/CEO City of Hope $1,765,025 09/30/2015 3. Edward J. Benz, Jr., M.D. President/CEO Dana-Farber Cancer Institute $1,539,789 09/30/2015 4. Nancy Brown CEO American Heart Association $1,443,427 06/30/2015 5. John R. Seffrin Past CEO American Cancer Society $1,404,269 12/31/2014 6. Wayne Brock Past Chief Scout Executive Boy Scouts of America ( BSA National Office) $1,351,724 12/31/2015 7. Yitzhak Gershon Past National Director/CEO Friends of the Israel Defense Forces $1,282,949 12/31/2014 Includes $631,251 bonus and incentive compensation. 8. Rupert W. Scofield President/CEO FINCA International $1,281,285 12/31/2014 Includes $339,574 one-time vested retirement benefits and $493,615 tax gross-up to cover related taxes. 9. Cristian Samper President/CEO Wildlife Conservation Society $1,190,755 06/30/2015 10. Jonathan W. Simons, M.D. President/CEO Prostate Cancer Foundation $1,182,091 12/31/2015 11. Brian Gallagher President/CEO United Way Worldwide $1,166,454 12/31/2015 12. James W. DeMint President Heritage Foundation $1,132,367 12/31/2015 13. Larry Hausner Past CEO American Diabetes Association $1,125,689 12/31/2014 Includes $210,833 severance. 14. Robert J. Beall Past President/CEO Cystic Fibrosis Foundation $1,100,581 12/31/2014 15 Arthur Brooks President American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research $1,075,493 06/30/2015 16. Harry Johns President/CEO Alzheimer's Association (National Office) $1,062,149 06/30/2015 17. James R. Downing President/CEO St. Jude Children's Research Hospital $1,042,217 06/30/2015
i would like to see an independent public available audit of that group. i have been a member for decades but am not liking some of the schit i hear. 2 mil for a ceo is not out of the question, depending on revenue. 6 million dollar homes and tens of thousands on suits are though.
Originally Posted by rem141r
i would like to see an independent public available audit of that group. i have been a member for decades but am not liking some of the schit i hear. 2 mil for a ceo is not out of the question, depending on revenue. 6 million dollar homes and tens of thousands on suits are though.
I tend to agree. I don’t think the salary is out of line for a ceo of an organization that size, but when you pay a man $2 million a year he should be able to buy his own clothes and house. Something about LaPierre has always been off putting to me. Not sure what it is, but to me he just seems untrustworthy
The media is doing a spectacular job of sowing dissension in the ranks of what has been and continues to be the most effective organization out there for gun rights. It's not hard, really. They start throwing out there some of the salaries and costs incurred by operating at top levels in fields of endeavor little understood or experienced by the largely blue-collar membership and they immediately have them in an uproar. It's the same way the left tears down successful institutions of all kind that are not philosophically aligned with them. At the same time, many of the people all indignant about what Wayne LaPierre is making have not problem supporting, through their patronage, entertainers who make obscene amounts of money playing children's games with balls. It's a shame everyone is not so worked up over the politicians of all stripes who, somehow, on salaries comparable to what a lot of us here make, end up with multimillion dollar homes and millions in the bank. People are funny.
But, But Other public owned Corp.s are audit by an independent Co,. and all the members get a copy of the "audit" if they wish that is the difference. No more till changes are made. Cheers NC
The only things that matter are financial gain or financial loss. In such system one takes all they can get. As long as people keep sending in the money I don't see a problem with what he is doing.
Thats ridiculous. Wayne should get a hefty salary for all the crap he catches, but that's wayyyyyyyy over 'hefty'....
Chui,
I have to ask a question. This is a job that takes a dedicated, talented, and very, very strong pro 2A leader. It must be somebody who knows the ins and outs of Washington lobbying, has to be an extremely strong fundraiser, and has to be nimble in front of reporters and the camera not to trapped with inane questions. Diplomacy is crucial in front of the Press.
So how big is that pool of candidates, and what kind of cash does it take to hire them on? I will tell you that when it comes to big time corporate management, 6 figures ain't gonna get you the talent you need. When you get into the world of Washington lobbying, the passionate 2A people get really scarce.
Busting balls about his salary is like bitching about the cost of dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak house. A prime steak, sides and couple of drinks for two is $200. people can think that's ridiculous, but Prime meat is costly, professional waitstaff is costly. a nice decor is costly, and not crowding tables butt to butt cuts down on the number of people you can seat.
Homer and Earl can sit around in their overall as go "Hell Earl, I can get all you can eat ribs and free drink refills at the BBQ joint for $14.99. Phouc Ruth!". Yeah, Homer and Earl can, but the result is plain to see. You get Eugenia, the high school girl serving, and Mable the tooth lady at the cash register. Fine hard working people, but if you wanted Prime Steak, that ain't it.
My point is that WHOMEVER we want to run the NRA needs to better than good to hold off the gun grabbers. The NRA is the single biggest reason the gun grabber haven't gotten further along in their agenda. Whomever runs the NRA is going demand a good salary that is in the ballpark of what they can make in the private sector. If you are fortunate to get a Charlton Heston type ho might even volunteer, you still need an expert in Washington lobbying to work with him and that dude will need to be PAID. there is no way around it.
Who do y'all thin helps the conservative pro 2A draft legislation to protect gun rights? It's largely the brain trust, lawyers etc. in the NRA. The write it up, submit it to whichever Congressman they are working with and then their staff takes it from their. DOn't believe for a moment that bills and legislation are whipped by people like AOC who couldn't hard boil an egg. That's what lobbyist do.
In my opinion ALL non-profits should have an across the board cap on total yearly compensation for everyone from the CEO/CFO on down the line to the lowest paid “charity” workers.
“Non-profits” and charities have become a vehicle for the well to do and the well connected to make ridiculous money through untaxed back door dealings and a “one stop shop” for their consolidation of power, influence and favoritism. Using a charity to enrich a few well connected power mongers while incessantly begging for donations from blue collar Americans really pisses me off. When the CEO has more money “invested” suits than most people have invested in their homes it highlights and underscores the abuse that’s become endemic with “non-profits”.
Charities enjoy a number of advantages, not the least of which is the tax free nature of their financial foundation. As such it’s not unreasonable to set a salary and compensation ceiling for ALL charities and non-profits. The mission of non-profits should NOT be to create millionaires from the misappropriation of charitable donations but rather to benefit those that the donations were intended for. I don’t care if it’s a 501, 502, 503, etc. if your non-profit enjoys the tax exemptions and feeds itself off of the donations of others because you produce nothing, service nothing and generally don’t do anything except redistribute the money then you should be restricted on how much of the donated money you get to pocket.
Just look at the Clinton Foundation or Soros and his Open Society foundation for the unabashed abuse of the non-profit system.
I think the NRA top brass needs to be well paid inorder to attract and retain talent but when you're making in a year what most consider to be a fully funded retirement that is when that has ballooned way too much.
1. Disney pays their CEO every month, more than WLP gets annually. 2. Why do any of you think you are getting accurate information???
1. Disney is NOT a registered non-profit. 2. I’ve already said my piece regarding the ridiculously exorbitant salaries of CEO’s that didn’t build the company themselves. 3. When your sole source of income comes from the goodwill donations of the people it’s best to use them wisely and not piss off the people that you rely on.
[quote=ingwe]Thats ridiculous. Wayne should get a hefty salary for all the crap he catches, but that's wayyyyyyyy over 'hefty'....[/quote
Busting balls about his salary is like bitching about the cost of dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak house. A prime steak, sides and couple of drinks for two is $200. people can think that's ridiculous, but Prime meat is costly, professional waitstaff is costly. a nice decor is costly, and not crowding tables butt to butt cuts down on the number of people you can seat.
Hat
You are spot on.
And just for the record, last time a coworker and I were at Ruth’s Chris dinner was $300 for the two of us. The boss never says a word because we do a good job and as far as he’s concerned, we deserve it.
Thats ridiculous. Wayne should get a hefty salary for all the crap he catches, but that's wayyyyyyyy over 'hefty'....
Chui,
I have to ask a question. This is a job that takes a dedicated, talented, and very, very strong pro 2A leader. It must be somebody who knows the ins and outs of Washington lobbying, has to be an extremely strong fundraiser, and has to be nimble in front of reporters and the camera not to trapped with inane questions. Diplomacy is crucial in front of the Press.
So how big is that pool of candidates, and what kind of cash does it take to hire them on? I will tell you that when it comes to big time corporate management, 6 figures ain't gonna get you the talent you need. When you get into the world of Washington lobbying, the passionate 2A people get really scarce.
Busting balls about his salary is like bitching about the cost of dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak house. A prime steak, sides and couple of drinks for two is $200. people can think that's ridiculous, but Prime meat is costly, professional waitstaff is costly. a nice decor is costly, and not crowding tables butt to butt cuts down on the number of people you can seat.
Homer and Earl can sit around in their overall as go "Hell Earl, I can get all you can eat ribs and free drink refills at the BBQ joint for $14.99. Phouc Ruth!". Yeah, Homer and Earl can, but the result is plain to see. You get Eugenia, the high school girl serving, and Mable the tooth lady at the cash register. Fine hard working people, but if you wanted Prime Steak, that ain't it.
My point is that WHOMEVER we want to run the NRA needs to better than good to hold off the gun grabbers. The NRA is the single biggest reason the gun grabber haven't gotten further along in their agenda. Whomever runs the NRA is going demand a good salary that is in the ballpark of what they can make in the private sector. If you are fortunate to get a Charlton Heston type ho might even volunteer, you still need an expert in Washington lobbying to work with him and that dude will need to be PAID. there is no way around it.
Who do y'all thin helps the conservative pro 2A draft legislation to protect gun rights? It's largely the brain trust, lawyers etc. in the NRA. The write it up, submit it to whichever Congressman they are working with and then their staff takes it from their. DOn't believe for a moment that bills and legislation are whipped by people like AOC who couldn't hard boil an egg. That's what lobbyist do.
Respectfully Yours,
Hat
Two hundred bucks for a steak dinner is a crock of shyt just like useless Waynes salary. That ass hole has been capitulating with the enemy and compromising my rights away for years. He SUCKS at his job and always has.
I'd do the job for a half mill a year, and wear Carhardtts the whole time I'm doing it. They can feed me McDonalds and buy me a trailer to live in and I'll go anywhere they want me to at the drop of a damn hat.
[quote=ingwe]Thats ridiculous. Wayne should get a hefty salary for all the crap he catches, but that's wayyyyyyyy over 'hefty'....[/quote
Busting balls about his salary is like bitching about the cost of dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak house. A prime steak, sides and couple of drinks for two is $200. people can think that's ridiculous, but Prime meat is costly, professional waitstaff is costly. a nice decor is costly, and not crowding tables butt to butt cuts down on the number of people you can seat.
Hat
You are spot on.
And just for the record, last time a coworker and I were at Ruth’s Chris dinner was $300 for the two of us. The boss never says a word because we do a good job and as far as he’s concerned, we deserve it.
I went to a Ruth’s Chris once because my sons FIL just raves about them. I left with s lighter wallet, notably unimpressed, and doubtful I’ll darken their door again.
It was a decent steak, but by far not the best I’ve had. Not the value I expected. I make a damn good steak at home for far less. I could eat steak for a month on that restaurant bill. Maybe that’s just me.
Hatari…….your post is on the money......I think one of the big disconnects is...…….a lot of guys that post on this subject...maybe don't make a lot of money......and don't have a clue what people that can do these type of jobs... can get in wages.
a lot of comments on this are asinine…..the house thing is to far out there...but fringe benefits go with those type of jobs.....
[quote=ingwe]Thats ridiculous. Wayne should get a hefty salary for all the crap he catches, but that's wayyyyyyyy over 'hefty'....[/quote
Busting balls about his salary is like bitching about the cost of dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak house. A prime steak, sides and couple of drinks for two is $200. people can think that's ridiculous, but Prime meat is costly, professional waitstaff is costly. a nice decor is costly, and not crowding tables butt to butt cuts down on the number of people you can seat.
Hat
You are spot on.
And just for the record, last time a coworker and I were at Ruth’s Chris dinner was $300 for the two of us. The boss never says a word because we do a good job and as far as he’s concerned, we deserve it.
I went to a Ruth’s Chris once because my sons FIL just raves about them. I left with s lighter wallet, notably unimpressed, and doubtful I’ll darken their door again.
It was a decent steak, but by far not the best I’ve had. Not the value I expected. I make a damn good steak at home for far less. I could eat steak for a month on that restaurant bill. Maybe that’s just me.
its not just about the steak to some people…….if you ever go to reno....try the Atlantis or Harrah's…….bob
I'd do the job for a half mill a year, and wear Carhardtts the whole time I'm doing it. They can feed me McDonalds and buy me a trailer to live in and I'll go anywhere they want me to at the drop of a damn hat.
I've took a lot of flack here for criticizing the NRA. Personally, I don't care how much LaPierre makes nor what suits he wears. The problem with the NRA is twofold. First, they support gun control. They're supposed to oppose it. They compromise way too much and too quickly. Second, for him to make that kind of money, the organization needs to be in the black.
I think the NRA top brass needs to be well paid inorder to attract and retain talent but when you're making in a year what most consider to be a fully funded retirement that is when that has ballooned way too much.
He has no talent for the position. A true stiff.
I'd be interested to hear how he got the job in the first place.
He was a lobbyist, had experience working the politicians in Washington.
Remained worried about the accuracy of the information everyone is repeating and/or reacting to. Board members conducting business with the NRA is worrisome stuff.
When a not-for-profit organization is paying their officers more than the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and then sending out letters begging for more and more money from it's members... it is time to rethink things. I send in my hard earned money to them and donate to their causes with my measley income. They can shove it. Been a member for decades. No more. I will find a more fiscally responsible organization to give my support to.
Top CEO's do demand an appropriate wage. BUT, the mention of Disney and other money making companies isn't the same as a non-profit, IMO. My BIL is a computer scientist for Disney in Orlando. So, I keep up with some of their stuff. I don't have a problem with a CEO of that caliber making mega bucks. They earn it and can justify it.
I saw the list of non-profit CEO wages. Some of those saleries are pretty high. I notice that lots of these organizations have their HQ in the DC area. That's the "Swamp"!!
For centuries, the seat of power has been where the money is (goes). The K Street lobbying industry is an example. Legislators retire to the big bucks of the lobby industry, end up very rich. Have you noticed how many retired senators and reps never return home to Podunk, USA, reside in Georgetown, Virginia, somewhere in the DC area. That's where the money is.
For sure the MSM has been doing a hit job on the NRA. But, where there's smoke....
To me a non-profit with a mega high saleried bureaucracy reminds me of TV preachers. They are all making their big bucks off the contributions of Social Security, fixed income folks who really can't afford what they give. I have an NRA Benefactor membership, but like othere here, no l onger "round up" for the NRA. And I get mail and calls to join the NRA. What!. Their records don't indicate my membership status? Do they care? Looks more like a broad, big net hussle, not an honest phone call to contact members. You'd think they'd know membership status prior to making such a call... I would. They evidently don't take the time, end up insulting long standing members.
All this leaves a bad taste in my mouth, like a number here have expressed.
I think the Swamp way of doing business has become the NRA way of doing business. After all, they do have a Swamp address.
So, what do we do, where do we go from here...? We do need a powerful NRA type representation in DC.
Top CEO's do demand an appropriate wage. BUT, the mention of Disney and other money making companies isn't the same as a non-profit, IMO. My BIL is a computer scientist for Disney in Orlando. So, I keep up with some of their stuff. I don't have a problem with a CEO of that caliber making mega bucks. They earn it and can justify it.
I saw the list of non-profit CEO wages. Some of those saleries are pretty high. I notice that lots of these organizations have their HQ in the DC area. That's the "Swamp"!!
For centuries, the seat of power has been where the money is (goes). The K Street lobbying industry is an example. Legislators retire to the big bucks of the lobby industry, end up very rich. Have you noticed how many retired senators and reps never return home to Podunk, USA, reside in Georgetown, Virginia, somewhere in the DC area. That's where the money is.
For sure the MSM has been doing a hit job on the NRA. But, where there's smoke....
To me a non-profit with a mega high saleried bureaucracy reminds me of TV preachers. They are all making their big bucks off the contributions of Social Security, fixed income folks who really can't afford what they give. I have an NRA Benefactor membership, but like othere here, no l onger "round up" for the NRA. And I get mail and calls to join the NRA. What!. Their records don't indicate my membership status? Do they care? Looks more like a broad, big net hussle, not an honest phone call to contact members. You'd think they'd know membership status prior to making such a call... I would. They evidently don't take the time, end up insulting long standing members.
All this leaves a bad taste in my mouth, like a number here have expressed.
I think the Swamp way of doing business has become the NRA way of doing business. After all, they do have a Swamp address.
So, what do we do, where do we go from here...? We do need a powerful NRA type representation in DC.
DF
Money is their language, so you speak the language they understand and withhold what they need.
Top CEO's do demand an appropriate wage. BUT, the mention of Disney and other money making companies isn't the same as a non-profit, IMO. My BIL is a computer scientist for Disney in Orlando. So, I keep up with some of their stuff. I don't have a problem with a CEO of that caliber making mega bucks. They earn it and can justify it.
I saw the list of non-profit CEO wages. Some of those saleries are pretty high. I notice that lots of these organizations have their HQ in the DC area. That's the "Swamp"!!
For centuries, the seat of power has been where the money is (goes). The K Street lobbying industry is an example. Legislators retire to the big bucks of the lobby industry, end up very rich. Have you noticed how many retired senators and reps never return home to Podunk, USA, reside in Georgetown, Virginia, somewhere in the DC area. That's where the money is.
For sure the MSM has been doing a hit job on the NRA. But, where there's smoke....
To me a non-profit with a mega high saleried bureaucracy reminds me of TV preachers. They are all making their big bucks off the contributions of Social Security, fixed income folks who really can't afford what they give. I have an NRA Benefactor membership, but like othere here, no l onger "round up" for the NRA. And I get mail and calls to join the NRA. What!. Their records don't indicate my membership status? Do they care? Looks more like a broad, big net hussle, not an honest phone call to contact members. You'd think they'd know membership status prior to making such a call... I would. They evidently don't take the time, end up insulting long standing members.
All this leaves a bad taste in my mouth, like a number here have expressed.
I think the Swamp way of doing business has become the NRA way of doing business. After all, they do have a Swamp address.
So, what do we do, where do we go from here...? We do need a powerful NRA type representation in DC.
DF
Money is their language, so you speak the language they understand and withhold what they need.
You're going to be able to live off $150k/yr in DC? Take 40% out for taxes (and that's conservative) you'll have $7500 mo to live on. Since you can't and won't live in the ghetto part of DC, what are going to find to live in for less than $5-6K/mo? This is DC, not Bugtussle. You will need a big enough place to host meetings and entertain. You got an entertainment budget or are you going to do your all lobbying down at Starbucks? What cha doing about security for you and your family? Don't you think the anti's might want to target your wife and kids? You need transportation. Not going to get much done in DC with your F-150.
Oh, and who was the smart guy that was going to dress in the Cartharts? Yeah, sure.
Are you starting to see the picture?
Truth is nobody on this thread has 1% of the qualifications for the job. I could say I'll do Nick Saban's job at Alabama for $150,000 yr and save the university $7 million. I follow football, I'm sure I could win National Titles. Riiight!
It doesn't take $10,000 suits to be persuasive and win battles. It takes passion and a vigorous defense of the truth. The right man could do the job with little and effect more change than LaP-Dog does with much. LaPierre is bleeding the NRA for his own selfish interests, plain and simple.
The way I see it, if the fight is righteous it takes only passion and resources behind it (I don't mean personal wealth) to get people on board and get the change needed. That bastard is KILLING the cause, not promoting it. Throw that SOB out on his ass and get someone in there that's doing it for the right reasons and you won't need to pay him like that to get the job done, and more effectively. Wayne LaPierre is nothing more than a thief.
It doesn't take $10,000 suits to be persuasive and win battles. It takes passion and a vigorous defense of the truth. The right man could do the job with little and effect more change than LaP-Dog does with much. LaPierre is bleeding the NRA for his own selfish interests, plain and simple.
The way I see it, if the fight is righteous it takes only passion and resources behind it (I don't mean personal wealth) to get people on board and get the change needed. That bastard is KILLING the cause, not promoting it. Throw that SOB out on his ass and get someone in there that's doing it for the right reasons and you won't need to pay him like that to get the job done, and more effectively. Wayne LaPierre is nothing more than a thief.
OK, give me your quick list of candidates that know, law, are experienced in DC Lobbying, are effective and PROVEN fundraisers, and nimble effective communicators in print and in front of a camera because that's the job description as I see it.
Names? Come on. I'm waiting. Times up. I'll help.
If I were doing the search to replace WLP, I'd look for a former Congressman. That gets access to Congress and often the WH. Likely said ex-congressmen is a lawyer, but if not, certainly knows how bills are written, produced, handled and fed through Congress. He'd know how to STOP anti gun bills coming form the other side. Gotta find a strong 2A guy.
Quick name? Bob Barr. Former Congressman from Georgia and a strong 2A proponent. He's not the best in front of the camera, but fits the job description. Guess what? You're not getting Bob Barr, or anyone else like him for $150,000/yr anymore than you are getting Tom Brady to QB your NFL team for $150,000. Passion is great, but passion alone does not get the job done.
Don't confuse Charlton Heston's largely ceremonial run as President of the NRA with the job of working with Washington which is where the work is done. Heston made good speeches to NRA members and keep everybody happy but he wasn't the one working with the law makers. WLP was as Executive Vice President.
I'm not a friend or foe of WLP, but some of you are so small minded when you want to bitch about a CEO whose salary is >1% of the budget. Cutting his salary by 99% does not effect the balance sheet of a $450,000,000 dollar a year organization. Most of this outrage is pure butt hurt class envy and the anti gunners are eating this up.
When a not-for-profit organization is paying their officers more than the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and then sending out letters begging for more and more money from it's members... it is time to rethink things.
Sure the President makes a little over $400,000. Did you ever consider what his perks are worth?? WLPs salary won’t go very far covering the cost of those perks. 747s don’t run on water.
