December 13, 2007 | If you're looking for that perfect gift for your loved one this holiday season?…we at Capital Eye can't help you out. But if you're looking for a gift from a retailer that shares your political ideology, then look no further.
Retailers, just like many other industries, actively make campaign contributions, revealing a bit about the company's political leanings?—or at least those of the employees who give at least $200 of their hard-earned money to political campaigns. Until this year, retailers overall had given more money to Republicans, who tend to be more in line with the pro-business and anti-union policies that retailers support. In the 2006 election cycle, employees and PACs in the industry gave $13.2 million to federal candidates, parties and PACs, 58 percent of which went to Republicans, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. In the first nine months of this year, however, Democrats received 52 percent of the $6.9 million from the industry.
The presidential candidates have received $2.1 million of that total, with Democrats collecting 64 percent of retailers' donations. Hillary Clinton collected the most of any candidate at $631,800, while Republican Rudy Giuliani led his party with $270,800 in receipts.
The biggest contributor in the retail industry is also the world's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart. Employees of the big-box retailer, which stayed out of politics until it started getting criticism for its treatment of its employees, has given $727,830 so far this year, 60 percent of which went to Republicans. Behind Wal-Mart are Home Depot and Target, both of which also support the GOP financially.
http://www.capitaleye.org/inside.asp?ID=318
Peace
Retailers, just like many other industries, actively make campaign contributions, revealing a bit about the company's political leanings?—or at least those of the employees who give at least $200 of their hard-earned money to political campaigns. Until this year, retailers overall had given more money to Republicans, who tend to be more in line with the pro-business and anti-union policies that retailers support. In the 2006 election cycle, employees and PACs in the industry gave $13.2 million to federal candidates, parties and PACs, 58 percent of which went to Republicans, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. In the first nine months of this year, however, Democrats received 52 percent of the $6.9 million from the industry.
The presidential candidates have received $2.1 million of that total, with Democrats collecting 64 percent of retailers' donations. Hillary Clinton collected the most of any candidate at $631,800, while Republican Rudy Giuliani led his party with $270,800 in receipts.
The biggest contributor in the retail industry is also the world's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart. Employees of the big-box retailer, which stayed out of politics until it started getting criticism for its treatment of its employees, has given $727,830 so far this year, 60 percent of which went to Republicans. Behind Wal-Mart are Home Depot and Target, both of which also support the GOP financially.
http://www.capitaleye.org/inside.asp?ID=318
Peace
