NationStates Jolt Archive

I started my own personal boycott of Wal-Mart a coupleof years ago because I was living in NW Arkansas and saw the way they dominated the entire landscape. I didn't like it and decided I would shop elsewhere, even if it cost me a little more and took longer to get everything I needed. It has felt good.

But since I've gotten even more politically active, I've started putting my money where my mouth is, even when it means I have to change some long held habits. So, from the blog Donkey Rising, here's a list of corporations and what percentage of their political donations went to which parties.
Favored Democrats:
* Price Club/Costco donated $225K, of which 99% went to democrats;
* Rite Aid, $517K, 60% to democrats;
* Magla Products (Stanley tools, Mr. Clean), $22K, 100% to democrats;
* Warnaco (undergarments), $55K, 73% to democrats;
* 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.
* Gallo Winery, $337K, 95% to democrats;
* Southern Wine & Spirits, $213K, 73% to democrats;
* Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons (includes beverage business, plus considerable media interests), $2M+, 67% democrats.
* Sonic Corporation, $83K, 98% democrat;
* Triarc Companies (Arby's, T.J. Cinnamon's, Pasta Connections), $112K, 96% Democrats;
* Hyatt Corporation, $187K, 80% to democrats;


Favored Republicans:
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;
3M Co., $281K, 87% to republicans;
Hallmark Cards, $319K, 92% to republicans;
Amway, $391K, 100% republican;
Kohler Co. (plumbing fixtures), $283K, 100% republicans;
B.F. Goodrich (tires), $215K, 97% to republicans;
Proctor & Gamble, $243K, 79% to republicans;
Coors, $174K, 92% to republicans; (also Budweiser - sd)
Brown-Forman Corp. (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Korbel wines - as well as Lennox China, Dansk, Gorham Silver), $644, 80% to republicans;
Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (chicken), $366K, 100% republican;
Outback Steakhouse, $641K, 95% republican;
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;
Waffle House, $279K, 100% republican;
McDonald's Corp., $197K, 86% republican;
Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Bahama Breeze), $121K, 89% republican;
Mariott International, $323K, 81% to republicans;
Holiday Inns, $38K, 71% to republicansI won't kid you--Brown-Forman Corp (the Bushmills whisky) and Outback stings me a little. If they get anywhere near parity with their donations, I'll go back to them, but not before.

One last one not mentioned on this list. In Wired magazine a couple of months ago, they listed the hot 100 movers and shakers in industry and listed their political affiliations. Microsoft and everyone PC-related were all heavy Republican supporters, while Jobs and Wozniak of Apple were Democrats. When I upgrade next year, I'm getting an I-Book.

Take the poll.

yay im first to respond ^_^.
I ahve also boycotted walmart (AAAAAHHH!!!! MUST DESTROY WALMART!!!)
because i dont like how big they have gotten with there 360 something billon dollors of revinew and they also make i 3 months what the second largest corp makes in a year. plus they just bought china a new nukelear sub (with all the outsorcing and what not).

Oh come on, people. Somebody's voting in the poll--they can at least come up with a comment.

I shop at the prices that best adhere to both captialist principles and workers rights.

Political persuasion and donations have no effect on my fiscal decisions

Since I don't particularly approve of either party, I don't care either way what corporations support which party. I'll do business with a company based on how they do business, not their political leanings.

I don't care, really, where the donations go to.

I buy what's best on the market. Whether they donate to the Democrats, Republicans, Communists, or the KKK is of absolutely no interest to me.

of course walmart donates to the republican party, walmart RULES the bible belt. i can drive half an hour in ALMOST any direction and hit a walmart

i'm boycotting wal-mart for their refusal to supply the monring after pill.


and personally, money to democrats and republicans--i could care less. i live in canada. personally, i think it would be better if those corporations were donating their money to charities and such rather than to political groups. i'm not even sure if it's such a good idea for political parties to accept donations from corporations, afterall, the politicians may feel some obligation to those who helped fund their rise to power.

edit: i'm also boycotting procter and gamble for testing cosmetics and household products on animals.

Political leaning of companies doesn't bother me, but companies who treat their employees like WalMart does are begging for a boycott.

I hate Wal-Mart and have for a long time, but often find myself there anyway. But not anymore. As of this day, I will put forth my best efforts in avoiding companies who give to Republicans. According to an article I read in Time magazine or the Chicago Tribune (which heavily backs the GOP) awhile back, Wal-Mart is China's 8th largest trading partner, putting them ahead of both the UK and Russia. That fact just amazes me.

I hate Wal-Mart and have for a long time, but often find myself there anyway. But not anymore. As of this day, I will put forth my best efforts in avoiding companies who give to Republicans. According to an article I read in Time magazine or the Chicago Tribune (which heavily backs the GOP) awhile back, Wal-Mart is China's 8th largest trading partner, putting them ahead of both the UK and Russia. That fact just amazes me.
They actually account for around 10% of all US trade with China, and that is a lot. Their #1 product are the Bratz dolls, which make billions upon billions. Not surprisingly, the laborers at its factory in Shenzen are among the highest paid in China.

They actually account for around 10% of all US trade with China, and that is a lot. Their #1 product are the Bratz dolls, which make billions upon billions. Not surprisingly, the laborers at its factory in Shenzen are among the highest paid in China.
Being the highest paying factory in China is like the loser of the "worst dictator" award. They're still a dictator, and Wal Mart still pays it's employees too little.

Being the highest paying factory in China is like the loser of the "worst dictator" award. They're still a dictator, and Wal Mart still pays it's employees too little.
However, it is enough to live on, and far more than even what many local companies can offer. Wages are low in China partly because they don't need much to live on. A car, for example, costs about $1000 there.

However, it is enough to live on, and far more than even what many local companies can offer. Wages are low in China partly because they don't need much to live on. A car, for example, costs about $1000 there.
People in China don't need much to live on because China isn't a developed country.

It seems I've been unknowingly boycotting Democrat leaning companies. The only company I ever buy from on the Democrat list is Levi.
But, anywho, I don't care abnout political leanings. I care about convenient locations and low prices.