Do you regret buying PJ merchandise at Target?

ElRoi

Well, I do and you might too after you read this:

Target just gave a huge contribution to a anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-progressive candidate for governor in Minnesota.

Get this: Target, the retail giant, just became one of the very first companies to take advantage of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision allowing unlimited corporate cash in elections.1

Target has spent over $150,000 in the Minnesota Governor's race backing state Rep. Tom Emmer, a far-right Republican who supports Arizona's draconian immigration law, wants to abolish the minimum wage and even gave money to a fringe group that condoned the execution of gay people. 2

Target must think customers won't care. They're wrong: We do care, and we need to let them know that we want Target—and all corporations—out of our elections.

Will you send a message to Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel telling him that you're not going to shop at Target unless they stop trying to buy elections? Click here to add your name to the petition:

http://pol.moveon.org/state/target/?id= ... aaUEXx&t=2

Once we get 150,000 signatures, MoveOn members in Minnesota will hand deliver the petition to Target headquarters.

The stakes are much higher than one candidate and one company. Other CEOs are in "wait-and-see" mode following the Citizens United decision, according to a former Federal Trade Commission counsel quoted on NPR.3 If we don't push back hard, this will just be the tip of the iceberg. Other corporations will learn that they can pour money into elections to buy the outcome they want—without paying a price with their customers or shareholders.

We all knew Citizens United would benefit candidates who stand up for corporate CEOs instead of everyday people. But you wouldn't expect a company like Target to jump in and try to buy an election so quickly. After all, Target made its name by being thought of as the more progressive store in the wake of numerous WalMart scandals.

That's why MoveOn members are following up on actions of groups like Human Rights Campaign and the Alliance for a Better Minnesota by telling Target that we won't shop there unless they stop trying to buy elections. Please add your voice now:

http://pol.moveon.org/state/target/?id= ... aaUEXx&t=3

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Robin, Anna, Mari, and the rest of the team


Sources:
1. "Target Corp. defends Minn. political donation," Associated Press, July 27, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89661&id=2222 ... aaUEXx&t=4

2. "GOP-linked punk rock ministry says executing gays is 'moral'," Minnesota Independent, May 25, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89716&id=2222 ... aaUEXx&t=5

"Emmer Camp On Comment That Waiters Make $100K: 'It's An Extreme Example'," Talking Points Memo, July 13, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89717&id=2222 ... aaUEXx&t=6

3. "Minn. Ad Puts Target At Center Of Campaign Finance Controversy," NPR, July 27, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89714&id=2222 ... aaUEXx&t=7


Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

FiveB247x

Not any more than I do paying my taxes.

Newch91

How were any of us going to know they were going to do this stuff. They wanted to sell Backspacer at Target because they were the only retailer that would let them sell at independent stores.

ElRoi

FiveB247x wrote:

Not any more than I do paying my taxes.

So, what's your point? Are you saying that you regret paying your taxes because the money is being used to bail-out fat cat bankers and fund immoral wars, but not used to pay for health care for 911 responders with ailments caused by the deadly, toxic soup that was the air they were breathing while heroically trying to save people trapped in the rubble?

FiveB247x

Mostly because it's used to further our hypocritical ways in the world (home and abroad). Whether through policies, actions or what we deem acceptable or legitimate. Our system is nothing more than a loosely knit pyramid scheme, so I don't delude myself from thinking the funds are ending up somewhere they are not. Lastly, I don't have all that much sympathy or apathy for people in our nation as we could change anything and everything with our action, voices and work, but willingly sit on our hands collectively.. people reap what they sow in life. We like to pretend we're free, tolerant and open to all those great ideas in our founding period but in reality, we've never really lived up to any of them other than through our own warped ways in which we say some deserve them and others don't. Whether it's for rights, economics, voting, land or similar. It's just words, not actions. So when I hear a story like this, it doesn't shock me nor does it outrage me - I'd be more surprised if we didn't hear it or see it. And let's all protest Target as we reward or ignore whatever other international corporation which conducts business and does bad practices that hurts society in a multitude of ways ... but who's counting.

ElRoi wrote:

FiveB247x wrote:

Not any more than I do paying my taxes.

So, what's your point? Do you regret paying your taxes because the money is being used to bail-out fat cat bankers and fund immoral wars and not pay to hell 911 responders with health care for ailments caused by the deadly, toxic soup that was the air they were breathing while heroically trying to save people trapped in the rubble?

Nothingman54

Iv never bought music from target. But I will tomorrow. I may buy a PJ cd.

ElRoi

I must concur. I myself was not shocked or outraged in the least by Target's actions, but it does sadden me somewhat that PJ would directly associate themselves (ie, making a video/commercial with said crap hole's logo in the background) with one of these big box crap holes in an effort to market their music.

FiveB247x wrote:

Mostly because it's used to further our hypocritical ways in the world (home and abroad). Whether through policies, actions or what we deem acceptable or legitimate. Our system is nothing more than a loosely knit pyramid scheme, so I don't delude myself from thinking the funds are ending up somewhere they are not. Lastly, I don't have all that much sympathy or apathy for people in our nation as we could change anything and everything with our action, voices and work, but willingly sit on our hands collectively.. people reap what they sow in life. We like to pretend we're free, tolerant and open to all those great ideas in our founding period but in reality, we've never really lived up to any of them other than through our own warped ways in which we say some deserve them and others don't. Whether it's for rights, economics, voting, land or similar. It's just words, not actions. So when I hear a story like this, it doesn't shock me nor does it outrage me - I'd be more surprised if we didn't hear it or see it. And let's all protest Target as we reward or ignore whatever other international corporation which conducts business and does bad practices that hurts society in a multitude of ways ... but who's counting.

ElRoi wrote:

FiveB247x wrote:

Not any more than I do paying my taxes.

So, what's your point? Do you regret paying your taxes because the money is being used to bail-out fat cat bankers and fund immoral wars and not pay to hell 911 responders with health care for ailments caused by the deadly, toxic soup that was the air they were breathing while heroically trying to save people trapped in the rubble?

ElRoi

Nothingman54 wrote:

Iv never bought music from target. But I will tomorrow. I may buy a PJ cd.

I'm sure you will.

FiveB247x

I don't think all that much of it to be honest. I don't think anyone thinks twice bout watching PJ on SNL which is owned by NBC or going to a big media company owned venue on tour right? It's just a matter of separation by people to ignore the reality of the connection.

ElRoi wrote:

I must concur. I myself was not "shocked" or "outrage" in the least by Target's actions, but it does sadden me somewhat that PJ would directly associate themselves (ie, making a video/commercial with said crap hole's logo in the background) with one of these big box crap holes in an effort to market their music.

Cradles Broken Glass

Nope. Although I may not agree with it, the alternative would be going without shampoo, tissue, shaving cream, Tylenol....you get the idea (if I felt I had to agree with someone 100% to purchase their merchandise to meet my basic needs, I would be in trouble). Target is far better than most box stores, so this is not enough to keep me from going there. Honestly, the donation that has spawned hundreds of threads on here has most likely more to do with a tax break than anything else. It's really not that big of a deal, imo.

Smellyman

Not really.

What makes me really angry is letting corporations give unlimited cash contributions to fucking politicians.


Government by the people for the people my ass

Narciso

Snore

know1

How about a little more fact and info about his stances on those issues.

For example, I'm assuming you are saying that the fact he wants to abolish minimum wage makes him "anti-progressive" whatever that means. I would argue that makes him progressive.

know1

FiveB247x wrote:

Not any more than I do paying my taxes.

Great answer.

How many of our tax dollars are spent on things that we as individuals vehemently oppose? I'll bet it's a high percentage for all of us.

Dirtie_Frank

When you shop do you ask the owner their political views? Everyone does not have the same ideas as you.

mikepegg44

I posted this in another thread, and I am going to post it here
first off, they didn't donate the money based on Tom Emmers stance on gay marriage.

Corporations ARE NOT PEOPLE. The executives donated money to the PAC Minnesota Forward for economic reasons. We have a huge budget problem in Minnesota even though we have some of the highest state tax rates in the country. Both Mark Dayton, and Matt Entenza are bad for business, they are going to raise corporate taxes on companies like Target. Just like anyone else, they need to choose the best candidate that supports their needs, it doesn't mean that the company agrees with everything a candidate stands for.
Target has and always will be a big supporter of the GLBT community.
I am not a big fan of tom emmers at all, but lets not make this into something it isn't
do some research on the company and the matter before you allow blogs/op eds to form your opinion. The company is fine. I am not a Tom emmers fan at all, but these articles describing him are ridiculous. The guys doesn't want to go around killing gays.

and no, I do not work for them!!

Jeanwah

I posted this in another forum:

Everyone votes every day with their dollar. If you buy from Wal-Mart, you are technically supporting their (atrocious and unethical) business practices. If you buy from pretty much any corporation, you subconsciously support everything they do; every political campaign, every charity, every person they give money to. So you may think it's not about politics, but it always is. There is a way to not support these corps, it just takes a little more research, vigilance and yes, money. But if you don't care where things are made (China), the value of what you buy (crap), keep buying whatever's the cheapest. You're just going to have to run back to (said store) to buy more because they sell cheap crap.

Not all of us bought PJ merchandise from Target. I paid the same price Target was charging for BS at an indie store.

FiveB247x

Corporations are not people, but supporting them reiterates the work of the people working for them. So if corporation x employees people that do y, and you support the corporation, you're keeping people doing something you don't support. This is no different from everyone in our society hating the results of the two major parties, yet continually support them each election as the only viable choices to vote for.

mikepegg44 wrote:

I posted this in another thread, and I am going to post it here
first off, they didn't donate the money based on Tom Emmers stance on gay marriage.

Corporations ARE NOT PEOPLE. The executives donated money to the PAC Minnesota Forward for economic reasons. We have a huge budget problem in Minnesota even though we have some of the highest state tax rates in the country. Both Mark Dayton, and Matt Entenza are bad for business, they are going to raise corporate taxes on companies like Target. Just like anyone else, they need to choose the best candidate that supports their needs, it doesn't mean that the company agrees with everything a candidate stands for.
Target has and always will be a big supporter of the GLBT community.
I am not a big fan of tom emmers at all, but lets not make this into something it isn't
do some research on the company and the matter before you allow blogs/op eds to form your opinion. The company is fine. I am not a Tom emmers fan at all, but these articles describing him are ridiculous. The guys doesn't want to go around killing gays.

and no, I do not work for them!!

VINNY GOOMBA

Jeanwah wrote:

I posted this in another forum:

Everyone votes every day with their dollar. If you buy from Wal-Mart, you are technically supporting their (atrocious and unethical) business practices. If you buy from pretty much any corporation, you subconsciously support everything they do; every political campaign, every charity, every person they give money to. So you may think it's not about politics, but it always is. There is a way to not support these corps, it just takes a little more research, vigilance and yes, money. But if you don't care where things are made (China), the value of what you buy (crap), keep buying whatever's the cheapest. You're just going to have to run back to (said store) to buy more because they sell cheap crap.

Not all of us bought PJ merchandise from Target. I paid the same price Target was charging for BS at an indie store.

Exactly.

the wolf

No.

dimitrispearljam

the wolf wrote:

No.

good one Steve..

Jason P

I regret buying merchandise at places that have ripped me off and have horrible staff, like Best Buy. As for companies like G.E. or Target that have supported political parties, as long as the end product is good quality at a low price, I will keep coming back.

mikepegg44

FiveB247x wrote:

Corporations are not people, but supporting them reiterates the work of the people working for them. So if corporation x employees people that do y, and you support the corporation, you're keeping people doing something you don't support. This is no different from everyone in our society hating the results of the two major parties, yet continually support them each election as the only viable choices to vote for.

mikepegg44 wrote:

I posted this in another thread, and I am going to post it here
first off, they didn't donate the money based on Tom Emmers stance on gay marriage.

Corporations ARE NOT PEOPLE. The executives donated money to the PAC Minnesota Forward for economic reasons. We have a huge budget problem in Minnesota even though we have some of the highest state tax rates in the country. Both Mark Dayton, and Matt Entenza are bad for business, they are going to raise corporate taxes on companies like Target. Just like anyone else, they need to choose the best candidate that supports their needs, it doesn't mean that the company agrees with everything a candidate stands for.
Target has and always will be a big supporter of the GLBT community.
I am not a big fan of tom emmers at all, but lets not make this into something it isn't
do some research on the company and the matter before you allow blogs/op eds to form your opinion. The company is fine. I am not a Tom emmers fan at all, but these articles describing him are ridiculous. The guys doesn't want to go around killing gays.

and no, I do not work for them!!

you will never agree with a 100% of what a candidate stands for, you have to pick the best one for yourself and what you think your town, state, country need. Unfortunately in Minnesota the DFL and GOP have done such a poor job managing the budget we have a climate of half the politicians saying raise taxes and the other saying just spend less. Emmers is more likely to do the latter which is better for target and for ALL the people who work for target and shop at their stores. The more taxes they pay the more we will pay at their stores. There are much bigger enemies out there right now than target.

FiveB247x

I agree but at the same point, if you spend your money on something, you're supporting the product, company and people make it. So albeit, muddled to some, supporting Target is supporting the contributions of some of their employees. It's all connected.

mikepegg44 wrote:

you will never agree with a 100% of what a candidate stands for, you have to pick the best one for yourself and what you think your town, state, country need. Unfortunately in Minnesota the DFL and GOP have done such a poor job managing the budget we have a climate of half the politicians saying raise taxes and the other saying just spend less. Emmers is more likely to do the latter which is better for target and for ALL the people who work for target and shop at their stores. The more taxes they pay the more we will pay at their stores. There are much bigger enemies out there right now than target.

mikepegg44

FiveB247x wrote:

I agree but at the same point, if you spend your money on something, you're supporting the product, company and people make it. So albeit, muddled to some, supporting Target is supporting the contributions of some of their employees. It's all connected.

mikepegg44 wrote:

you will never agree with a 100% of what a candidate stands for, you have to pick the best one for yourself and what you think your town, state, country need. Unfortunately in Minnesota the DFL and GOP have done such a poor job managing the budget we have a climate of half the politicians saying raise taxes and the other saying just spend less. Emmers is more likely to do the latter which is better for target and for ALL the people who work for target and shop at their stores. The more taxes they pay the more we will pay at their stores. There are much bigger enemies out there right now than target.

right, but I am fairly certain you wouldn't be able to get all the products you need to live if you spent money based on companies/business people that share the same views as you.

cincybearcat

FiveB247x wrote:

I agree but at the same point, if you spend your money on something, you're supporting the product, company and people make it. So albeit, muddled to some, supporting Target is supporting the contributions of some of their employees. It's all connected.

mikepegg44 wrote:

you will never agree with a 100% of what a candidate stands for, you have to pick the best one for yourself and what you think your town, state, country need. Unfortunately in Minnesota the DFL and GOP have done such a poor job managing the budget we have a climate of half the politicians saying raise taxes and the other saying just spend less. Emmers is more likely to do the latter which is better for target and for ALL the people who work for target and shop at their stores. The more taxes they pay the more we will pay at their stores. There are much bigger enemies out there right now than target.

If it's all connected you will always be disappointed.

If you spend $ at Target you are supporting their pricing of products you want. That's it.

Otherwise, does it mean that the company you work for supports the causes you believe in when they give you a paycheck?

FiveB247x

Disappointment has nothing to do with it, it's solely about what you support. If you support people or companies that have practices and morals which you do not agree with yet support it anyways, you have no one to blame but yourself. Just like taxes or voting, you enable the results, but in today's society, no one wants to bear that responsibility and would just prefer to pass it off as something else. As for your question about a company supporting your choices, the long answer is no, but the short answer is yes when it comes to things that correlate to them. People lose their jobs all the time because of the way they represent their company, whether it be their direction actions, inaction or comments.

cincybearcat wrote:

If it's all connected you will always be disappointed.

If you spend $ at Target you are supporting their pricing of products you want. That's it.

Otherwise, does it mean that the company you work for supports the causes you believe in when they give you a paycheck?

RKCNDY

No, and I don't think PJ is either.

WaveCameCrashin

So if Target supported Barbra Boxer or Harry Reid would you still feel the same way ? I doubt it... What about all the money that George Soros gave to Obama's campaign and all the money he gives to DNC. Afterall he does give millions to groups like Moveon.

FiveB247x

People are pro/con on the issue and what matters to them. If you're against issue x, you may not support a group/person/company that advocates for that. It doesn't matter the issue, political leaning or similar.

prfctlefts wrote:

So if Target supported Barbra Boxer or Harry Reid would you still feel the same way ? I doubt it... What about all the money that George Soros gave to Obama's campaign and all the money he gives to DNC. Afterall he does give millions to groups like Moveon.

Jason P

Everyone has their own personal choice to make on an issue like this and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. The real question is how far do you extend your moral and political ethics into your everyday consumerism. For instance, you would probably have to start making your own clothing and shoes to avoid wearing something made in a sweatshop. Everything I'm wearing right now is from Asia. The same goes for almost everything that we use and interact with each day.

But I won't hold it against somebody if they do boycott Target because of the donation. Look, I try to avoid anything made be Robert Kraft because I dislike the New England Patriots and I don't want my hard-earned money going to Tom Brady's signing bonus (and hair plugs ). That is stupid and silly, but oh well.

That reminds me, NFL is just around the corner . . .