As The Hill reported this morning, based on disclosure reports released today, Sen. John McCain and his wife Cindy owe at least $100,000 to American Express, with a "dependent child" also holding a card with a balance between $15,000 and $50,000.

But not all credit card debts are created equal. In fact, according to a prior disclosure form filed in May that was provided to The Huffington Post, a significant amount of the McCains' credit card debt is being held by American Express at an interest rate of zero percent -- making their debt a lot less like the costly credit card pitfalls facing many Americans and a lot more like the big sweetheart loans that can get national political figures in hot water.

    I was a little surprised to see that he has missed 20% of the votes this year.  I'm going to assume that's a result of the campaign schedule.

   The more I talk about him in everyday life, the more I hear the words "I've never heard of him."  This is particularly interesting in that most of the people I talk to like what he has to say once enlightened.  I'm not so much a fan as a crap stirrer.  I like to start balls rolling and see what happens when they run into things.

Stroup Shares Financial Disclosure

Under Federal Law, all candidates for Congress who raise or spend more than $5000 must file an official Financial Disclosure Statement with the Clerk of the House of Representatives within thirty days of becoming a candidate.

“I believe in this law implicitly,” John Stroup said. Stroup is currently Mayor of Clarion and a candidate for the open seat in Pennsylvania’s Fifth Congressional District. “That’s why I complied quickly, and that is why I am posting a complete scan of my Financial Disclosure documents on my website, (http://www.friendsofjohnstroup.com). I believe filing this disclosure is so important that people should not have to drive to Washington in order to see it.”

The Ethics in Government Act requires Members of Congress, candidates, officers, and certain employees of the House of Representatives to file annual Financial Disclosure Statements, and also makes these available for public review. Generally, candidates must file these Statements within thirty days of becoming a candidate.

“I am disappointed that so many of my opponents in this race have chosen to ignore this Law,” Stroup said. “When I first declared my candidacy, I made sure that I was fully informed of the laws that would require my compliance. The citizens of the Fifth District deserve nothing less.”

“Any ‘plan for the future’ or ‘revival of the Fifth District’ should certainly require, at the barest minimum, respect for the law and compliance with it.”

“If a candidate can afford to spend more every two days on his campaign than the median family in the Fifth District makes in a full year, surely twenty minutes of respect for the law is not too much to ask.”

John Stroup lives and works in Clarion, PA. Citizens can follow his campaign on his website or through his comments posted at http://johnstroup.wordpress.com

John Stroup's Financial Disclosure