Friday, December 10, 2004

Holiday Shopping

My friend Dave points out some things to think about as your on your last mad dashes to get stuff done.

The politics of shopping


With the holidays upon us, some of us might wish to be mindful of whom we patronize relative to their 2000 Election Cycle political donations, as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics.

Bolded business gave money to Democrats, so patronize them!

Shopping:
Price Club/Costco donated $225K, of which 99% went to democrats;
WalMart, $467K, 97% to republicans;
K-Mart, $524K, 86% to republicans;
Home Depot, $298K, 89% to republicans;
Target, $226K, 70% to republicans;
Circuit City Stores, $261K, 95% to republicans;
Rite Aid, $517K, 60% to democrats;
Magla Products (Stanley tools, Mr. Clean), $22K, 100% to democrats;
3M Co., $281K, 87% to republicans;
Hallmark Cards, $319K, 92% to republicans;
Amway, $391K, 100% republican;
Kohler Co. (plumbing fixtures), $283K, 100% republicans;
Warnaco (undergarments), $55K, 73% to democrats;
B.F. Goodrich (tires), $215K, 97% to republicans;
Proctor & Gamble, $243K, 79% to republicans;
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, $153K, 99% to democrats;
Estee Lauder, $448K, 95% to democrats;
Guess ? Inc., $145K, 98% to democrats;
Calvin Klein, $78K, 100% to democrats;
Liz Claiborne, Inc., $34K, 97% to democrats;
Levi Straus, $26K, 97% to democrats;
Olan Mills, $175K, 99% to democrats.

Spirits:
Coors, $174K, 92% to republicans;
Gallo Winery, $337K, 95% to democrats;
Brown-Forman Corp. (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Korbel wines - as well as Lennox China, Dansk, Gorham Silver), $644K, 80% to republicans;
Southern Wine & Spirits, $213K, 73% to democrats;
Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons (includes beverage business, plus considerable media interests), $2M+, 67% democratic;

Restaurants & Food Companies:
Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (chicken), $366K, 100% republican;
Outback Steakhouse, $641K, 95% republican;
Sonic Corporation, $83K, 98% democrat;
Tricon Global Restaurants (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), $133K, 87% republican;
Brinker International (Maggiano's, Brinker Cafe, Chili's, On The Border, Macaroni Grill, Crazymel's, Corner Baker, EatZis), $242K, 83% republican;
Triarc Companies (Arby's, T.J. Cinnamon's, Pasta Connections), $112K, 96% democrats;
Waffle House, $279K, 100% republican;
McDonald's Corp., $197K, 86% republican;
Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Bahama Breeze), $121K, 89% republican;

Hotels:
Hyatt Corporation, $187K, 80% to democrats;
Mariott International, $323K, 81% to republicans;
Holiday Inns, $38K, 71% to republicans.

Choose Blue


Of course, other companies donated one way or another, but this is a list you can start with. Your power is in your pocketbook. When you buy products from companies that support the GOP, you send the message LOUD AND CLEAR that you agree with them. Only by refusing to give them your money can you be certain you are not supporting them.

Shop locally and shop blue!

Use the US Post Office, not Fedex or UPS.

Use the corner hardware store, because Home Depot is a huge contributer to the GOP.

Please tell like-minded friends and urge them to draw a line in the sand.

80% of annual retail business is done in the next three weeks! Take action now!

You can make a difference.


Dick Mac Recommends:
Amazon Odyssey
by Ti-Grace Atkinson









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