<![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions - Consumerist Comments]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions - Consumerist Comments]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> Where this gets impossible for the average consumer to track is when companies own companies. Sure, Company A down the street doesn't do politics, but did you know it's owned by Company B? Of course, B is a subsidiary of Company C, and C buys lots of politicians. It's rarely clear who owns who.

pearlandopal

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> I hate all politicians equally. As illustrated by this post, they all are just money grubbers who will gladly act as puppets for the corporations that fund their campaigns. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

adamondi

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> These numbers are from 2005-2006.

Not that good data when that's considered.

This was before the shift to a Dem congress was even really on the horizon. Rick Sanatorum was still morphing K-street to a Republican only club. So yeah, there was a skew toward that party for most large businesses.

RIAA buying Dem is logical, as they traditionally skew in favor of Hollywood. And it's easy to see that one of their big "buys" is Diane Fienstien, the CA rep that a few years back proposed the bill for installing a DRM chip into all computers to report illegal file downloads, and tampering of the chip would result in jail time.

As for the comment about Obama not accepting PAC money, that could certainly be true for the presidential committee. During 2005-2006 though, he did seem to take money from the RIAA (though the amount was on par with what they gave to Hillary and the senators of nearly EVERY OTHER STATE).

It's a good topic, but I would have liked some more pertinent data, specifically considering the shift in power. The lining of pockets would have followed that shift, and it'd be nice to see how so.

Kromem

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> wow. every link on the original post links to consumerist.com instead of letting me go and search myself.

you guys that desperate for more clicks and page views? c'mon. USER FIRST. that shit is irritating.

closer

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> Hooray...buy a congressman today and pay no interest until 2008 with your Home Depot charge card. (Good on any bribe over $299).

Grrrrrrrrr

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> "thusly" is not a word. Otherwise, this was a wonderful article.

Michael

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> Trackback

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> suckonthat: Found it. The Blue Pages.

ghostinmarble

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> There is a book that lists this stuff, though I can't seem to remember the name. It's something like "Blue Book" and it is a reference for every dime thousands of companies have ever donated to any political cause.

It's where I learned that a large percentage of my mother's Curves' fees go towards militant pro-life groups and Chick-fil-a profits fund Christian causes.

suckonthat

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> Next time you hear, "block evil unions from participating politically," keep this article in mind. America's about more than the staggeringly wealthy white guys funding candidates.

Trai_Dep

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> I'm curious too - how do you find this stuff?

Also - what can we do? This has been something I've been thinking about for awhile - and it makes me feel physically ill (politicians *should* be in the business of representing that people and doing what's in the best interest for the country as a whole - not for whatever industry pays them the most money!!!) -- but I don't know the solution?

Any thoughts on trying to organize... something? I mean, it seems like having lots of money, or lots of people (or preferably both I guess) is the way to get the attention of politicians - and this is usually used by big companies/industries - is it possible to organize consumers into a lobbying force equal to what companies have?

saerra

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> I am also curious to know where you came upon this information so I can do research on my own.

mikyrok

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> While the RIAA may have donated to Barack Obama, his campaign refuses to take donations from Political Action Committees (PACs) and, in the past has returned them. I'm not sure if he's returned this particular donation, but I'm just saying...

hoyagrrrl

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> Just goes to show you America has the best politicians money can buy.

MisterE

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> @B: And just who do you think gives dems money?

Rich people are paying off our elected officals? No way? Unless they are going to make a very lengthy list about companies and who they donate to this article was a waste of time. Who doesnt know that high ranking officals get campaign bribes?

Bourque77

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> Rich white guys give money to Republicans? Stop the presses!

B

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> Bribery isn't new...

Tyr_Anasazi

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> this article seems to be more of a bash republican article then an article that sheds light on something new.

Squeezer99

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> Consumerist, are you encouraging me to rebel? Ya know, maybe just a little? Should we get a group started? How about we meet over at Capitol Hill around noon, kay?

thnkwhatyouthnk

]]> <![CDATA[The Politics of Retail: How Money Spent on Consumer Goods And Services Ends Up As Campaign Contributions]]> Where and how are you getting this info so we can look up other companies that we can know to avoid/support in the future?

Never shopping at Home Depot again.

SOhp101

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