CEOs Send Letter To Capitol Hill: Stop Asking Us For Campaign Contributions
Big money is the root of most all our political problems, that's no secret. Without a fight, the SCOTUS' ruling on corporate campaign spending this week could spell the end of citizen involvement in national politics -- so it comes as somewhat of a surprise that one of the first voices in the fight against big corporate money flooding into Washington D.C. would be a group of CEOs?
WASHINGTON – Dozens of current and former corporate executives have a message for Congress: Quit hitting us up for campaign cash.
Roughly 40 executives from companies including Playboy Enterprises, ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's, the Seagram's liquor company, toymaker Hasbro, Delta Airlines and Men's Wearhouse sent a letter to congressional leaders Friday urging them to approve public financing for House and Senate campaigns. They say they are tired of getting fundraising calls from lawmakers — and fear it will only get worse after Thursday's Supreme Court ruling.
"Members of Congress already spend too much time raising money from large contributors," the business executives' letter says. "And often, many of us individually are on the receiving end of solicitation phone calls from members of Congress. With additional money flowing into the system due to the court's decision, the fundraising pressure on members of Congress will only increase." Read on...
The linked AP article goes on to say that the letter was sent by an organization called Fair Elections Now, which is dedicated to passing the Fair Elections Act. The FEA was sponsored by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.
Could some of this be a PR move by some of these corporations to lessen potential public backlash? Perhaps. Either way, the push back against the complete corporate takeover of our government must be loud and relentless.
Go play at being a "people's representative," boys. We'll take it from here. Now, shoo, we're busy.
Oh, I love the smell of altruism in the morning!~
"Trust no one, Mr. Mulder." - Well-Manicured Man
Pretty soon the politicians will be paying the corporations, since they now own the political process. "Please make an evil documentary about my opponent and run it every commercial break on every channel".
... but you may notice the lack of oil companies, defense contractors, health insurance and pharmaceutical companies, etc...
Yea. WTF is Ben and Jerry's going to get out of a campaign contribution? Cheaper milk? Less health care reform with cost controls that force people to eat less ice cream?
Well, yes. Cheaper milk would certainly help Ben and Jerry's. And since the government subsidizes corn production, which makes raising cows cheap, they could gain a lot.
And Monsanto and Archer Daniel Midlands aren't exactly hurting for cash.
Well maybe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsUM7V6Ku_8
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
When I was there at least, didn't like it. Not a US firm, but were unhappy with the "soft requirement" of a PAC to be competitive in the US market.
The problem is if all your competitors have strong PACs, you absolutely must have one too to do business. Your drugs have to be on the right approved list. Despite the "public option" drama, government run programs are currently a huge market.
This also should apply in financials to regulations, defense contractors with being the ones to get the contract.
I laughed when I saw this yesterday (it is up on my Facebook with a Muhahahahaha tag). In some industries it can be very unclear who is the person doing the shake-down, the company for influence or the politician for favors. When PAC soft money (or bribes) become a mandatory part of running a competitive business we have issues.
The reason companies don't complain usually is that PAC money must be obtained by employee donations. So the employees take home less pay, but they get to keep their jobs since the company was able to protect it's business interests with the government. The company's bottom line is the same. In some cases, executive bonuses can be used to compensate for executive's donations to the company PAC, and that is actually nicer than twisting the arms of lower-paid employees. Think about that vis a vis insurance company bonuses.
But in most cases, the PAC money really comes right out of workers salaries.
It's about money... who controls the money?
Study the symptoms not the virus...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTFJocQBLyE&fe...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
banning volunteering?
If elections are going to be big bu$ine$$....
Much like this current one just codifies what has been going on off-screen for decades.
If any saps are still around to give their too-copious free time, they will be arrested and billed for their incarceration and trial costs...
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Stop begging for money subjects
and spin. If these CEOs were truly supporters of a citizen-based democracy, then they would hang up on the Congressperons/senators when they call to "raise money". Better, the corporations should make public via the media that they control the names of those elected representatives who somehow think that such behavior is acceptable.
As a wise primate once uttered, "BULLSHIT BAFFLES BRAINS."
"Secular humanism -- a fearless, realistic world view replete with doubt and scepticism that attempts to attain an unachievable state of equilibrium between and among the human qualities of reason, intuition, imagination, memory, ethics and common sense.
Beware of unintended consequences. Both with the worst Supreme Court ruling since Dred Scott and with the election of Scott Brown.
or Keiths show that Brown threw the teabaggers under the bus yesterday
All nine Justices held that corporations have the right of free speech.
Glenn Greenwald here
The problem is über capitalism and the masters of their crooked game.
THAT IS THE PROBLEM
statusquObama, change you can only pretend in
These are all 2nd tier corporations or corporations that already have a history of activism and/or good citizenry. Do you think an Exxon or a Goldman Saacs or one of our other bad actors would ever do something like this? They're salivating at the fact they will be able to buy whole blocks of senators and congressmen instead of just single laws.
The little names are covering their asses so they don't get too much of the flak that radiates from the big boys.
form of "False Flags."
is keep systems running that were laid in place by previous generations of politicians.
That's my "blah beee do yadda dee" for the day
So let's all run out and buy an issue of Playboy.
So when are they gonna have a Lois Griffin pictorial?
(As long as it's not peter's pectorals).
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
All the influence they've gain through the buying of campaigns and now that the floodgate will open they are looking at the possibilities and realizing they could go bankrupt with all the funds they'd be expected to dish out.
Jeanne
aren't the giant monoliths bent on world domination. They're small companies that are either owned or still run by their founders. That's another reason to end corporate personhood.
http://www.scotusblog.com/wp-content/uploads/...
I'd be curious if they're reasoning is you have to prove a quid quo pro.
But quid quo pro proves bribery which is a crime, and if you can't put someone in prison (since a corporation is an amalgamation of people), and unless there are individuals in the corporations where it can be proven that they went outside of their business responsibilities, than it would have to be a Civil Matter, where the burden of proof is a preponderance of evidence.
But even though this makes me sound like a crackpot, I think the majority has committed an impeachable offense.
They breached both the first article of the Constitution regarding Congress determining the rules of elections, and the State running their election process. Additionally, the third article gives the court no power over elections at all.
And it essentially mitigates against all franchise holders in the United States.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Additionally, couldn't this decision hurt corporations in attempts to open new branches in new locations? For example if Walmart tried to open in a state that doesn't already have them, then won't the city fathers be concerned the corporation could take over local politics?
That's how they react to federal bailouts for their unemployment compensation insurance, and to federal money for education.
And it would create an unfair competition situation where Walmart whose already in a state could block a new competitor like China r US from opening in their environs.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
gov't contractors, should be excluded from the latest scotus ruling. (Conflict of interest)
as a matter of fact I predict that the first challenge to this ruling will be along those lines...
audit-prosecute-incarcerate
will always vote for war....
"Could some of this be a PR move by some of these corporations to lessen potential public backlash?"
I don't think so. The companies listed have a generally progressive view of things and a record of good works. Men's Wearhouse, for instance, has been taking donations of used suits to give to poor job-seekers so they look good in interviews. They aren't white knights but they are hardly the bad guys, either.
Also realize that this isn't even on the RADAR to most of the public. There is little "bad PR" here.
It's only the people who really think about things that this scares the hell out of. There aren't many of us left.
Look at the size of the companies on the list. Execpt for two or three none of them could compete financially with Citi, Wal-mart, or even Exxon.
These are Little guys that are just as scared of getting crushed as we are. How are they going to do buisness when their competition can buy lawmakers to regulate them out of buisness?
I think this list will grow as more small CEO's realize what this could mean for any corporation that isn't isn't one of the Mega (Inter)National Companies that will come to dominate the market place and the political landscape.
You know, the Constitution itself is supposed to be the last word.
What we really need is a constitutional ammendment that says the rights of corps. are secondary to individuals.
I know.. good luck.
The CEO's are asking to be put on a national Do Not Call list :) Maybe now the DNC list rules can be changed to include political campaigns.
It's not a PR move, it's a clear message.
We don't have to give you money now, so don't bother us.
We got our tax breaks, we get to keep OUR money and we STILL have you by the short and curlies.
We'll just use our companies' monies to threaten you. It's the perfect system now and we love it!
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
supporthave already bought. Chances are, you'll recognize him/her by his/her upscale gas-guzzler or luxo-exotic vehicle that replaced previous hybrid "people cars.""Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
I thought this was the typical PR move:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq28qCklEHc
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
to form a giant corporation (s).....
that can compete against ineffective government and dominant companies....
having its' officers elected and put forward as candidates....
to represent the people.
. . . in progress
Ysb said something along those lines the other day
I have a hard time keeping up with him...
Well worth the thought.
Same here.
Half the time when people react to one of my youtube links, I have to click it myself to remember what I was talking about.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Everyone with a laptop and Iphone, sit down in front of the congress building, get out laptops and start blasting emails to representatives.
We're not gonna take it anymore!
Fire!
http://www.overthehills.com/Events/Desert-Das...
to sell us over hyped and overpriced junk.
...built with slave labor
for their eager beavers are much better than old slave quarters. Granted, they're large, burned-out tracts of inner cities now owned by the corporations, and conveniently patrolled by armed guards trained by Blackwater, so you know they can shoot...
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
goes back and looks at the issue of granting the rights of individual persons to inanimate corporations and fixes that, their current decision can be defended.
So, now we have the new, 21st Century interpretation of the 1st Amendment regarding the act of expressing one's beliefs, opinions, ideas, etc.:
Free Speech = MONEY TALKS
"Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of Stupidity" - Frank Leahy
I guess that makes many of us who know how to communicate to people face to face without gadgetry or spending money primitive savages.
have to die if they want the same rights as persons, lets say, 38 years and done, the money distributed back to the Government
don't forget forced retirement....
and how about a russian roulette accidental death game as well...
that's how the Government treats us, doesn't it?
They can't transfer capital to other places for the last 10 years of their existence either
What about Highlander corporations?
Or vampire corporations?
Can Hindu corporations may come back again after they die?
After their deaths, can Religious corporations carry on as Soul Proprietors?
NO!
"Soul Proprietors"... I'm trying to drink my "Maxwell House" please. :)
Disclaimer: No corporate funds influenced this comment. ;)
Study the symptoms not the virus...
Blecch...Maxwell House...
Why don'tcha get a cup of something from your septic tank?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
.
Outhouse.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
aroma
Study the symptoms not the virus...
They said that was the original intent of incorporation's. To band together, to build bridges, roads, railroad projects, stuff like that. They were to have a specific purpose to better society and that was it. Money changed things, like it is known to do, the rest is history. :) That was an interesting DVD by the way.
I don't believe they were envisioned as having the dominance they do today. That took lawyer-ing! :-/
Study the symptoms not the virus...
So does that make us who emigrate bovine excreta?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
"Roughly 40 executives from companies including Playboy Enterprises, ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's, the Seagram's liquor company, toymaker Hasbro, Delta Airlines and Men's Wearhouse..."
How quaint. Out of thousands of companies with thousands of lobbyists, a handful of CEO's from a handful of companies put up a brave stand of patriotic spirit.
Now let's see if Northrop Grumman, Exxon, Big Tobacco, Big Pharma and all those transnational behemoths follow suit.
Still waiting....
But while I do suspect slightly less altruistic motives might possibly lie behind such a public announcement... good for them.
Playboy Enterprises, Ben & Jerry's, Seagram's, Hasbro, Delta Airlines and Men's Wearhouse might be 'small potatoes' compared to the oil oligarchies, tobacco, PharmCo's and all those bankers we just bailed out so they could hang on to their obscenely huge bonuses, but...
...not to sound like a conservative, because I'm not, business is what built America. Business is what creates the jobs we all so desperately need. Business is what helps to finance a lot of academic research, looking for new ways and products to sell. Business, in itself, like water, isn't 'bad'. It's when a potentionally beneficial thing becomes a means of destruction; the difference between a well in the desert keeping an entire village alive and disease free, and wiping out an entire city the size of New Orleans.
Business isn't 'bad' - but just like water, it needs to be monitored for health reasons, contained for safety reasons, and appreciated for the good it does.
So hats off to Playboy Enterprises, Ben & Jerry's, Seagram's, Hasbro, Delta Airlines and Men's Wearhouse from me, if somewhat guardedly.
It is not even about "Business" but what actually builds jobs. folks talk about "Business" and imagine somebody the goes out and buys land, builds a factory, buys the machinery, hires the workers, and produces things of value that will hold their value for years if not decades.
Today's "Business" is to buy just such a company that is producing a profit for owner and employee year after year and the stock is priced based on that level of return. Then the new owner fires all the workers, loots the retirement funds, sells the machinery and building piecmeal, right down to the name and logo.
What is left will never make another dime for anyone, but the new "owner" has tossed the leftovers with all the debt back on those who loaned the company money in good faith years past, and is now setting up another such company to loot. That is the real business model of today.
Who gets to say what... can I say that? :-/ ;)
Study the symptoms not the virus...
"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors." -Thomas Jefferson
Study the symptoms not the virus...
never envisioned gangs, rednecks and corporate media braindead-enders back then?
It must also be illegal for public servants to accept anything of value from anyone. Police officers, health care workers, and others that provide service are not allowed by their employment contracts to receive gifts. Elected officials should have the same restrictions.
Almost all are the ones that are at the quick dial of the Liberal Fundraisers. The ones who donate billions to the Gang Of Pirates are all quite quiet as they get a very much better return on the politicians they buy.
I'm wondering if the Yes Men are behind this...
I doubt it. Those CEOs are probably tired of getting shit for their donations, too. Plus, they also want standards from their pols.
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