Target CEO Supports Michelle Bachman

[Joanne98]

This just gets crazier...and convinces me it's time for some actual citizens united action against Target. After giving $150,000 to MNForward, a group that has only endorsed and supported GOP candidate Tom Emmer for MN Governor and that is run by a Tim Pawlenty crony, now this from the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

canoedog's diary :: ::
Target executives typically have been politically active — Steinhafel himself donated $10,000 to an April fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann featuring Sarah Palin. Now, that right extends to the company itself.

We know Michele Bachmann is nuts. Yet Target CEO Steinhafel supports her.

And Tom Emmer, the candidate being supported (barely) indirectly by Target's contribution is a radical. He has supported a Minnesota Constitutional amendment that would declare that Minnesota is exempt from federal laws unless the Minnesota legislature ratifies them and the Governor signs them (the Minnesota Governor could VETO federal law). It's crazy, unconstitutional, un-American and I find it hard to believe it would result in any benefit to Minnesota business--the lame excuse Steinhafel used to justify why Target donated to MNForward.

It's time to call out Steinhafel and Target for their un-American, discriminatory agenda.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/7/28/888320/-Target-CEO-Supports-Michelle-Bachman-(Now-with-Contact-Link)

Better Contact (Thanks dmhlt66!)
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

Source:
The Consumerist

Corporate Headquarters Contact

Target
1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403

Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]



I just emailed him and told him his customers were probably liberal because they hate Walmart. Something he should have thought about before he decided to support the most hated Republican in Congress!

[DJ13]

1. That does it, Im shopping at Wal..... er

DAMMIT!

[FiveGoodMen]

12. Exactly!

[Lorien]

24. There are other options in most areas

Costco is blue, ethnic grocers are often cheaper, resale stores often have great deals on clothing and gift items, and there's always eBay and Craig's list.

[jah the baptist]

2. thanks for helping me decide where

or rafther where NOT

to do the ol\' back to school shopping.

[librechik]

3. dang I used to think Target had fairly good taste...

guess I won't be shopping there anytime soon...

[cascadiance]

4. Time to "Target Target!" with actions like boycotts to let them know how we feel about this!

[Brickbat]

5. Target has just as poor labor practices and and as much made-in-China crap as any other big box.

Never understood why people thought they were a better choice.

[SoCalDem]

18. Kind of like choosing between being molested by your uncle or your grandpa

:(

[Brickbat]

20. Um...not exactly.

[cascadiance]

21. Costco is pretty decent towards its work force...

Even though it is structured to sell stuff that's more feasible for big families and less towards single individuals (wish they'd get another chain they own that went that direction more).

But... They also I think still have a problem in Costco's book section putting WAY too much crappy books like Sarah Palin's, Glen Beck's, Sean Hannity's, Laura Ingraham's, etc., etc. and hardly any books by folks like Thom Hartmann (WHERE is his new release of Unequal Protection even here in Portland, Oregon, dammit!) and Naomi Klein (The Shock Doctrine has been noticeably absent). I think we should start a letter writing campaign for them to not just be prone to the right wing's "loss leader" strategy of dumping inventory of books that don't get sold in places like Costco, and get at least a FEW books that we can enjoy.

[jpak]

6. moron

yup!

[myrna minx]

7. I received some stupid auto rely to my letter to Target.

I hope they realize what their 150.000 contribution truly cost them - their reputation. I guess they don't know who their client base is - especially in their 'hometown'.

[kenfrequed]

8. No more shopping at Target

till they fire the CEO and stop all right wing donations.

[cascadiance]

11. They've also heavily supported Schwarzenegger's messes in California...

Including his special election that failed (all of the props losing), etc. to put in place Republican crap...

http://articles.sfgate.com/2005-08-23/bay-area/17388136_1_consumer-group-target-corporation-california-recovery-team

[kenfrequed]

15. Well

Really it is just another damned Big-box store. I really shouldn't miss it a bit.

[Warpy]

9. They have the best buyers of all the big box stores

but I haven't been there in two years because of what they're doing to their employees. Full time positions, even for people who were formerly managers, have been eliminated in favor of a patchwork of part time "associate" positions that do the same functions but with no benefits and terrible hours. People who have worked for the stores for years are told to suck it up or go elsewhere.

That this hideous man is also a far right nut comes as no surprise, considering the way he's treating people.

At the same time, Wally's has actually improved a few things, like lowering the cost of its group insurance so that more employees can afford it.

I'd have to say Wally's is the lesser of the two evils at this point. The only thing I'd get at Target right now is their cheap prescriptions and fortunately I don't need them between Wally's and Costco.

[eyepaddle]

10. Here's the text of a message I just sent to Target's customer service

(I will re-send it to Steinhafel in a just a minute)

"Hello (and goodbye)

Due to Target's unbelievably boneheaded move in bankrolling culture thug Tom Emmer I will no longer do any business with Target. Why Target Corp. decided that now was a good time to take up the opportunity afforded by the Citizen's United decision will forever escape me--especially in light of the the political leanings of so many of your customers, who viewed you as a positive alternative to Wal Mart. Leaving aside the pure wrongheadedness of the Hoover-tinged policies of the modern republican party and its likely deleterious effects on the economy as a whole, this was a specifically terrible idea for Target, as I am sure many people like me will no longer be able to do business with you. I surely hope that the Board of Directors asks itself the question "are the men who made the decsion to finance Brian McClung's 'Minnesota Forward' PAC REALLY the right people to make profitable decisions for our shareholders?"

Pointlessly alienating a large slice of your customer base (that you had been wooing for years) when the simplest course of action was to keep you pie hole shut is not a winning business strategy that I have ever heard of before. To be blunt I think your CEO Gregg Steinhafel is a complete fool who has put his own income tax ahead of the best interests of Target and used Target's money to do it.

Thank you,



PS Oh yeah, and one more thing, just in case you have missed my point, just fuck off, you imbeciles."

[myrna minx]

13. Here's the 'reply' you'll receive

:puke: I honestly can't believe they did this. Who do they think is their client base?



Target has long believed that engaging in civic activities is an important and necessary element of operating a national retail business. What's more important than any one candidate's stance on a particular issue is how we nurture thoughtful, long-term growth in the state of Minnesota.

To continue to grow and create jobs and opportunity in our home state, we believe it is imperative to be engaged in public policy and the political process. That is why we are members of organizations like the Minnesota Business Partnership, the Chamber of Commerce and many others. And that is why we decided to contribute to MN Forward.

MN Forward's objective is to elect candidates from both parties who will make job creation and economic growth a top priority. We operate best when working collaboratively with legislators on both sides of the aisle. In fact, if you look at our Federal PAC contributions year to date, you will see that they are very balanced between Republicans and Democrats. For more information please visit www.target.com/company, and view the Civic Activity page.

Target has a large stake in Minnesota's future, which is why it is so important to be able to provide jobs, serve guests, support communities and deliver on our commitment to shareholders. As an international business that is proud to call Minnesota home, it is critical that we have a business environment that allows us to be competitive. Our guests, team members, communities and shareholders depend on Target to remain competitive.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Hanson
Target Executive Offices

[eyepaddle]

26. No surprise, but that is exactly the reply I received.

It took them a few days--I was wondering if they weren't going to reply because of f-bomb, but nope, I got the same canned answer.

To be honest, I don't really care if hey read my email all that closely, I just want them to see their inbox jammed with discontent; y'know, let them know the size of the hornet's nest they have kicked up if nothing else.

[Joanne98]

14. That was good!

[eyepaddle]

17. Thanks, it felt good to hit "send"

I know you're supposed to avoid profanity if you want to be taken seriously but this situation really called for it.

I figured that if I waited until the very the would have already read my email at that point!

[rfranklin]

16. Well, at least you kept it civil...

:rofl:

[Scurrilous]

19. Good job.

:thumbsup:

[Bitwit1234]

22. He's ruining his business here in Minnesota

everyone I talk to says he is crazy. I guess he thinks republicans are going to win. When the DFL takes over I hope they impose some kind of special rule for him.

[patrice]

23. done

[Naturyl]

25. Big Business supports sociopathic Repukes?

Who would have thunk it? In other news, dog bites man, film at 11.