Target faces political backlash

In my view, Target has every right to support whoever
they want. If it is ok for the unions to give large amounts of money to politicians, then it is ok for Target, no?
My suggestion would be for every one to be on a level playing field. Either all or none.

Progressives only want unions to be able to fund politicians (democrats)
Since 1990, labor unions have contributed over $667 million in election campaigns in the United States, of which $614 million or 92 percent went to support Democratic candidates.

Do you think union leaders ask their members before making large contributions? Do cows fly?

Your average Target shopper could care less.

I will still support target.

I love Target. I also go to Wal-Mart to make Democrats jump up, and down like monkeys in a cage, but this is great.

sue wrote:

Your average Target shopper could care less.

You might be suprised. Target had (that's HAD, past tense) a strong gay following. Now that the corporation has decided to support the anti-gay candidate for Gov in MN (Tom Emmer) over the pro-gay rights candidate (ironically that's Mark Dayton, heir to the Dayton Corp- parent company of Target), they can kiss all those gay dollars goodbye. Remember, the gays LOVE to shop.

Target is going to lose WAY more than $150k in gay business because of this.

Add Target to the list of fascist run right wing corporations that have taken the Supreme Court's activist decision to heart.

We need legislation to remove all private corporate donations from politics, including unions, and move to publicly financed elections once and for all.

The size and enormous wealth of right wing owned corporations far outstrips that of every day people, and unions, for that matter, and is a recipe for decades of fascist right wing political rule.

You thought the Bush Crime Family was bad, what's coming will make them look like girlscouts.

bobob wrote:

In my view, Target has every right to support whoever
they want. If it is ok for the unions to give large amounts of money to politicians, then it is ok for Target, no?
My suggestion would be for every one to be on a level playing field. Either all or none.

Target can give to whomever they please. But, when they give to a political party, they are seriously jeopardizing their customer base. I would find it hard to shop at Target, which had been my favorite big box store, ever again, knowing that they are supporting policies and politicians I disagree with.
In this day and age of retailers struggling to survive the Bush Recession, it was, in my opinion, very foolhardy of their management to approve such a donation.

Lovetoread wrote:

<quoted text>
Target can give to whomever they please. But, when they give to a political party, they are seriously jeopardizing their customer base. I would find it hard to shop at Target, which had been my favorite big box store, ever again, knowing that they are supporting policies and politicians I disagree with.
In this day and age of retailers struggling to survive the Bush Recession, it was, in my opinion, very foolhardy of their management to approve such a donation.

I agree, that's why it's important for customers to whom it makes a difference, to research what the political affiliations of their favorite stores really are.

It's about the only recourse we have as consumers, since we no longer have a representative form of government.

WeTheSheeple wrote:

Target is going to lose WAY more than $150k in gay business because of this.

Seems Best Buy is also going to lose and that Target's management is also a hypocritical:

"ST. PAUL, Minn.-- Here's something Target Corp. isn't advertising in its Sunday circular: The discount retailer is now a major donor to a group backing the Republican candidate for Minnesota governor.

That fact is not sitting well with every Target shopper.

Under new laws allowing corporations to spend company money on election campaigns, the Minneapolis-based chain gave $150,000 to a Republican-friendly political fund staffed by insiders from departing GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration. The group, MN Forward, is running TV ads supporting state legislator Tom Emmer, the presumptive GOP nominee.

Electronic retailer BEST BUY CO., another major Minnesota-based corporation, gave $100,000 to the group, according to an MN Forward report made public Tuesday...

...Target's donations to MN Forward --$100,000 in cash and $50,000 in brand consulting -- slightly exceeds the total amount the company has given this year to all campaigns and causes at the federal level. By contrast, individuals can give a maximum of only $2,000 to candidates under Minnesota law.

Emmer is a fiery conservative who opposes gay marriage, lauds Arizona's strict approach to illegal immigration, once advocated chemical castration for sex offenders and wants to lower taxes.

His profile contrasts with Target's moderate image in Minnesota, where the company is known for donating to public school programs, food shelves and the annual Twin Cities Gay Pride Festival..."

So Target is also guilty of hypocrisy.


http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx...

Caribou Barbie wrote:

Add Target to the list of fascist run right wing corporations that have taken the Supreme Court's activist decision to heart.
We need legislation to remove all private corporate donations from politics, including unions, and move to publicly financed elections once and for all.
The size and enormous wealth of right wing owned corporations far outstrips that of every day people, and unions, for that matter, and is a recipe for decades of fascist right wing political rule.
You thought the Bush Crime Family was bad, what's coming will make them look like girlscouts.

Public funded (government slush fund) elections is not a good idea. SEE: Milton Shapp

It would be good if we could limit spending on campaigns ... say $10 million for national elections ... and force the candidates to appear in debates or question and answer sessions on TV where they do not pay for air time.
Most americans do not like all those campaign ads anyway.

Target, as well as other corporations should have a right to spend their money any way they want to. Target probably prefers intelligent customers anyway.

sue wrote:

Your average Target shopper could care less.

Truth.

Caribou Barbie wrote:

Add Target to the list of fascist run right wing corporations that have taken the Supreme Court's activist decision to heart.
We need legislation to remove all private corporate donations from politics, including unions, and move to publicly financed elections once and for all.
The size and enormous wealth of right wing owned corporations far outstrips that of every day people, and unions, for that matter, and is a recipe for decades of fascist right wing political rule.
You thought the Bush Crime Family was bad, what's coming will make them look like girlscouts.

you're as useless a tetes on a bore hog. If you had a brain fart it would raise your IQ to 13.

Glasnos wrote:

Progressives only want unions to be able to fund politicians (democrats)
Since 1990, labor unions have contributed over $667 million in election campaigns in the United States, of which $614 million or 92 percent went to support Democratic candidates.
Do you think union leaders ask their members before making large contributions? Do cows fly?

Actually, it's not just about Democrat versus Republicans, it's more like the Powerful Big-Business versus the People!

1. Big-Business is enjoying Big Bush Taxcut right now

2. "Big Bush Taxcut" is adding a
Heavy Burden to Government Big-Deficit everyday

3. While "Big-Deficit" is our #1 problem, GOP wants to EXTEND "Big Bush Taxcut" for Big-Business

4. Because of "Big Bush Taxcut," Big-Business get to keep huge profits, allowing them to hog a lot of cash, and not hiring Americans

5. Greedy GOP vote to block "Little People" from collecting Extended Unemployment Benefits (insurance claims) because of Deficit concerns, while GOP crooks are clamoring for an Extension of "Big Bush Taxcut" for Big Business.

It's important to note that "Big Bush Taxcut" is much more toxic to our National Debt and Budget Deficit than Unemployment Benefits for the People!

GOP Crooks fight against the interest of the American Working Class!

WeTheSheeple wrote:

<quoted text>
You might be suprised. Target had (that's HAD, past tense) a strong gay following. Now that the corporation has decided to support the anti-gay candidate for Gov in MN (Tom Emmer) over the pro-gay rights candidate (ironically that's Mark Dayton, heir to the Dayton Corp- parent company of Target), they can kiss all those gay dollars goodbye. Remember, the gays LOVE to shop.

Hey now, remember what the article said. They gave $100,000 in money, and $50,000 in brand consulting. Perhaps, now follow me on this...
Perhaps Target gave the 100k as bait to get in there and give brand consulting. Then they give just horrendous advice about how to manage the branding of the candidate. Then, the candidate loses and everyone is happy.

...but probably not.

Gays make up less then 3% of the population. All their money piled in one pile wouldn't matter to Target one way or the other. Target should have the same freedom to run their business as others.

Now we know that Target hates its customers. They are openly saying they want more people in Minnesota homeless. They are openly saying they support a troubled economy and elimination of our schools.

What will happen to the back to school sales at Target when there aren't any schools?

CNSNews.com - SEIU PAC Spent $27 Million Supporting Obama's ...
Nov 3, 2009 ... The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) political action committee ... expenditures in support of President-elect Barack Obama's presidential campaign,... which is funded by contributions from union members,...
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/40959

and the moron from miami is freaking over $150,000 to republicans?
hey, moose .... don't shop at target!