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I’ve often advocated a new clothing law for politicians, requiring them to sew the logos of their corporate sponsors all over their suits, ties, caps, and whatnot – like NASCAR drivers and pro golfers do.
Alas, my idea has not proven popular in congress, so it remains hard for regular folks to know which corporations have sewn up which politicians. Take the last congressional election. We know that Corporate America was a big funder of Republican candidates… but which corporations, exactly?
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Well, I’ve developed a handy list of brand-name corporations that put the bulk of their political money – at least $100,000 each – into last year’s Republican cause. Since these outfits rake in your consumer dollars, then donate a portion of them to the GOP, which in turn backs the corporations’ anti-consumer, anti-worker, anti-environment agenda – you might want to know their names when making future shopping decisions.
Headed out to Wal-Mart, Home Depot, or Target to buy a lamp or lawnmower for your home? Hmmm – each of them gave nearly three-fourths of their campaign funds to Republicans. And, if you’re thinking about a John Deere mower, just know that this company was 83 percent Republican in the last election.
Maybe you want to get a bite of lunch to think about it. Beware – McDonald’s put 83 percent of its money into Republicans, Outback Steakhouse put 93%, and Wendy’s put 95%. It’s enough to drive you to drink. But before you chug down a Bud Light, note that Anheuser-Busch gave two-thirds of its bucks to Republicans.
If all this is making you sick, don’t use Blue Cross/ Blue Shield insurance: 84 percent Republican. And if it makes you want to crawl in bed and cover your head, stay away from Marriott: 93 percent Republican.
This is Jim Hightower saying… To connect more logos to donations (including which corporations gave to Democrats), go to hightowerlowdown.org.
Sources:
“Money to Congress,” Center for Responsive Politics, 2006.