Target Donates $150K To Group Supporting Candidate Who Wants To Cut Waiters’ Minimum Wage

[babsbunny]

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/07/27/target-emmer-donate/

Earlier this year, Republicans were overjoyed when the Supreme Court overturned “a 63-year-old law designed to restrain the influence of big business and unions on elections.” As Common Cause noted, January’s Citizens United decision enhanced “the ability of the deepest-pocketed special interests to influence elections and the U.S. Congress.”

Thanks to Citizens United, Target is now a major Republican donor, giving $150,000 to MN Forward, a “Republican-friendly political fund staffed by insiders from departing GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s administration.” The AP reports on the retail chain’s new activism:

[RKP5637]

1. Email address to reach Target Corp. and complain.

http://www.target.com/gp/help/display-contact-us-form.html?displayLink=tci

I won't step foot in one of their stores again. There are far too many other choices.

[AlabamaLibrul]

2. Done.

Some pretty disgusting stuff coming out of Target this past couple days.

[sakabatou]

3. I haven't stepped in Target in over a decade

[Lifelong Protester]

4. I posted this elsewhere, but will repost here:

Copy of my just sent email:

(Note: I shopped in the first ever Target in Roseville, MN when it opened in the 60s. I am a long time customer. They normally are a good 'corporate neighbor' in their community give-back. This is going to back-fire on them, at least in Minnesota, their home base.)

Really? A donation to a PAC tht is working to help elect the party of "NO", that is more than likely going to run an anti-gay candidate for governer? Happy with your 'new' right to spend as much as you wish to promote some agenda (please note: if you didn't realize you were going to offend some part of the community because you didn't know what Emmer stood for, become MORE INFORMED)?

Also note, your statement on your 'unwavering support' of the GLBT community is just that: words. Actions speak louder, and I guess you want folks to choose whether or not to shop in your store based on your words, but it is the actions that will tell us all we need to know. Target Corporation has always seemed like such a good corporate 'neighbor'. Now I have my doubts. You are on a slippery slope here. Folks are watching. And may be shopping elsewhere.

Job creation? When have the GOP been into ANYTHING other than their union busting, anti-gay, keep folks in poverty so we have serfs, help the rich rich rich, bow down to anti-intellectualism? Lay down with dogs, get up with fleas. I am sorely disappointed in Target for this action.

[mmonk]

5. From a fellow DU'er's website

http://www.osomin.com/

and his letter writing campaign.


Also from my blog

http://americancommentary.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/target-among-others-takes-aim-at-hispanics-and-restaurant-wait-staff-workers-in-minnesota-citizens-united-case-bears-its-fruit/">here.

[Bitwit1234]

6. The Minneapolis Star has an article

about it. And they say that the public isn't taking this too good. They and employees are protesting. They are letting the corporations know they are not going to take it any more.

[myrna minx]

7. I live in Minneapolis, and I can tell you we're not too happy.

They made a foolish mistake - all for the almighty dollar. They have completely blown a very good local reputation for 150,000. They obviously don't know who their customers are. :crazy:

[femrap]

8. I just sent a letter

to the CEO last week. Now Thune is on their payroll. Bet he gets more than $100k/year.

If wait staff provide good service, why not let them make the big bucks. But this is in a restaurant w/ high prices. Not Bob Evans and the local coffee shop.