Went to Chili's for dinner tonight

[proud2BlibKansan]

I asked our waiter for the address of the corporate headquarters. I told him about our DU meetups that we had been having at Chili's and that we had decided not to go there anymore because of the corporate contributions to Republicans for the November election. He said "That is terrible. I am embarrassed. And I don't blame you for not wanting to meet at Chili's." He said he would ask the manager because he didn't know where corporate offices were.

He came back a few minutes later and said "well I guess you won't be surprised when I tell you it's a Texas company". We laughed. Then he said "the manager and I both want you to give them hell for this"!

He also gave us a discount on our bill! :bounce:





:bounce: :bounce:

[BlueManDude]

1. so now where will your meetups be?

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Westport Flea Market in KC

this coming Wed at 7PM. It's right up the street from Chili's in Westport. If you are in the KC area, please join us.

We are talking about having picnics in area parks this summer.

[BlueManDude]

3. I'm in Boston but I applaud your stand

the food at Chili's ain't so great either.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Sounds like you guys have some great meetups

in Boston. You also have a lot better baseball team than our Royals.

Thanks for the kind words.

[stevans_41902]

5. Thats cool you got a discount on your bill...

I live in Lawrence and I know that a lot of the waiters/waitresses who work for these restaurants are totally unaware of the fact that the companies they are working for are huge donors to the Republicans. FYI, whoever owns Chilis also owns other restaurants like On the Border and Macaroni Grill. Hmmm...I'm wondering if there is any big chain restaurant that does not have ties somewhere to the Republicans? Usually I perfer the food at independently owned restaurants anyway, and it feels good knowing the money is going back to the community and not into the hands of someone I would never vote for:)

[ComerPerro]

6. Hey! You're in Lawrence? Me too

:hi:

[newyawker99]

7. Hi stevans_41902!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[scratchtasia]

8. According to BuyBlue.org...

Yes, I agree, it's better to patronize local establishments! It's generally better food and better for the community. However, we all get stuck with chains now and then.

According to BuyBlue.org, most of the chains donate heavily to Republicans. However, a few come out better in their rankings:

Sonic (no PAC, CEO gave $20K to Dems only)

Panera Bread Co. (no PAC, CEO gave $6K to Dems only)

Popeye's (no PAC, CEO gave $2K to MoveOn PAC only)

Arby's (no PAC, officers gave 59% of $60K to Dems, 41% to Thugs)

Joe's Crab Shack (no PAC, officers gave 57% of just $6K to Dems, 43% to Thugs)

Rainforest Cafe (see Joe's Crab Shack)

Subway (no recent political contributions)

Denny's (no recent contributions)

Quiznos (no recent contributions)

Bonanza/Ponderosa/Steak & Ale/Bennigan's (no recent contributions)


Who comes out heavily red? Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silver's, Pizza Hut, A&W, Chili's, On the Border, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Wendy's, Baja Fresh, Applebee's (gave to Kris Kobach!), Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, Boston Market, Chipotle, Outback Steakhouse, Carabba's, Bob Evans, and Domino's.

Whew!

BuyBlue.org also shows IHOP, California Pizza Kitchen, and Krispy Kreme as red, but the contributed amounts from IHOP and CPK execs were relatively small ($3K and $8K respectively), and Krispy Kreme's ranking is based exclusively on the former execs who have been tossed out.

[beyurslf]

11. Dominoes Execs have helped finance many anti gay plans across

the country. All of the political money targets the hard right wack-jobs.

[Ian David]

12. Subways just sponsored Bush's 9-11 Fascism Walk

Subway, Among Others, Sponsors 9/11 Exploitation Party
In the News
Posted by rocketsauce on August 10, 2005 - 9:10am

Pentagon announces September 11 concert

The Pentagon would hold a massive march and country music concert to mark the fourth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in an announcement tucked into an Iraq war briefing today.

"This year the Department of Defence will initiate an America Supports Your Freedom Walk," Rumsfeld said, adding that the march would remind people of "the sacrifices of this generation and of each previous generation".

The march will start at the Pentagon, where nearly 200 people died on September 11, 2001, and end at the National Mall with a show by country star Clint Black.

The news also reignited debate and anger over linking September 11 with the war in Iraq.

"That piece of it is disturbing since we all know now there was no connection," said Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq veteran who heads Operation Truth, an anti-administration military booster.

Rieckhoff suggested the event was an ill-conceived publicity stunt.

"I think it's clear that their public opinion polls are in the toilet," he said.

So who is funding this party? The Freedom Walk's site says:

More:
http://www.buyblue.org/node/545

[Jon8503]

9. Yeah, I try to do that but sometimes you fail. I like Italian so I

usually try to patronize Garozzos or Cascones and don't screw with me on my spelling. They are local and good food.

[stevans_41902]

10. Hi everyone, thanks for all of the info...

I didn't give any thought to restaurants giving $$ to political parties until I read something in Fast Food Nation about Chili's giving money to Republicans. I feel sick about having gone to all of these places that give substantial funds to helping Republicans win their elections. I usually go out to eat about once a week with my boyfriend, and he loves those chain restaurants like Applebees, On the Border, etc. and I don't know if I can get him to change his ways b/c he is not very political (even though he tends to lean left on most issues and doesn't like Bush) and would prob. think I was going over the top by boycotting several restaurants.
Even though I haven't been able to post much (taking summer school, ugh) I think this forum is great and I try to get on to read the posts as much as I can.
Hi Comer, yes I live in Lawrence and go to KU:)