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Did you know your place of work can tell you how to vote, now? Other notes...
By usaction
@usaction (649)
United States
October 2, 2011 3:22pm CST
Your place of work can tell you how to vote! http://www.thenation.com/article/160063/big-brothers-thought-control-koch
Koch Industries sent an election packet to employees in Washington state listing Koch-backed candidates.
$8 billion: The amount that all federal candidates (congressional and presidential) are expected to spend on their 2012 election efforts: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=BO0KPFaOqCWxtDuHVNRMEuGoGGbyL8o/
$8 BILLION! Meanwhile, the US's debt continues to grow, and these people STILL send money everywhere but here!
Van Hollen sues FEC over disclosure rule: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=2zbu4sxisc18K885lzVG2OGoGGbyL8o/
Disclosure via executive order
President Barack Obama has drafted an executive order that would require companies vying for government contracts to disclose information about contributions they make to groups that run political ads. This is part of a trend of federal agencies trying to increase transparency in campaign finance. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=YX9IA+JWC7htj3tGXbf/PuGoGGbyL8o/
BP doles out cash to Republican lawmakers
Evidently, part of BP’s long-range plan to get out of the doghouse after last year’s disaster in the Gulf involves giving money to members of Congress. BP has donated $29,000 to lawmakers this election cycle, with most of that going to Republican leaders. In addition, BP’s political action committee had $332,408 at the end of the month.
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=6FBZyiRJ9/qQNnWrNoQL++GoGGbyL8o/
Business interests rule in Florida Legislature
With Republicans running the governor’s office and both houses of the Florida Legislature, business interests are getting ready to score big in this year’s legislative session. Measures that in the past were off-limits – such as restrictions on personal injury lawsuits against automakers and cuts in unemployment benefits – may be passed. It doesn’t hurt that of the 30 largest political contributors in the state this year, all but two are corporations or business-backed interest groups.
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=M5St3P+hcvte2q5DexhUeuGoGGbyL8o/
1 person likes this
5 responses
@laglen (19759)
• United States
3 Oct 11
I am not sure how elections are held in your town, but in my county they are anonymous. How in the world will your employer know how you voted? Also, by your own source
On the eve of the November midterm elections, Koch Industries sent an urgent letter to most of its 50,000 employees advising them on whom to vote for and warning them about the dire consequences to their families, their jobs and their country should they choose to vote otherwise.
please note the word "advising". I worked for the Humane Society and they would try to cram liberal crap down my throat, but they had no need to know how I voted. I also worked for Habitat for Humanity in management - again - none of their damn business. I have been working for a VFW for over 13 years, even if I vote in step with their views, it is still none of their business.
Now if they were driving employees to the polling place and standing in that cozy boot with them, then I would worry.
Regarding the money spent on elections by candidates, I agree with you. what a waste. This is why I dont contribute. You also have this option.
Disclosure statements I believe are wrong but I do understand the idea behind it, this does not mean I agree with it.
BP's donations to republican lawmakers - now gee why do you think that is? Maybe because of the MILLIONS of regulations placed on various businesses with energy being first? Who do you think is levying such regulation? Why wouldn't an energy company then feel compelled to donate to a liberal lawmaker?
Regarding business interests in Florida, I think this issue holds true for most states. I have to ask... do ya want jobs or not? Our esteemed president is waging war on the job creators. If we want to turn the economy around, don't you think it is about time to work with businesses?
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
3 Oct 11
"Regarding the money spent on elections by candidates, I agree with you. what a waste. This is why I dont contribute. You also have this option."
I wish I had that option. Sadly, I live in New Jersey where I am forced to be in a union, and forced to pay dues that will inevitably support candidates I oppose. At least Koch industries isn't taking money from unwilling people to use for their campaigning.
@sierras236 (2739)
• United States
3 Oct 11
You have succeeded in showing everyone what a prime example of misinformation given by the political blogging world looks like.
Every single one of those sites is so politically slanted to a single side, they don't know which way is actually up. I doubt they even know what the definition of a credible site is.
So, if they offer you a beach side property in Oklahoma, would you buy that as well? I heard the Brooklyn Bridge might be for sale as well.
Sorry, political blogs don't carry much weight on this forum. It is way too easy to prove them to be mostly lies. (Yes, this applies to both sides).
First of all, this is still a free county. Companies, Unions, Organizations, Celebrities etc. endorse candidates. It is up to the voter to do their homework and vote for the candidate they think best represents them.
Frankly, go to http://www.opensecrets.org/ and you can see the contributions given to the various political parties. You will notice that individuals are not named. Instead, you will find a listing of companies and how much they gave to what party.
Maybe you should vote for Michael Moore's candidate because he just gave out an endorsement. Better yet, check out code Pink. They are pretty open about what candidates they like. How about the NAACP or the ACLU? What about AARP?
Actually, that $8 billion is likely too low a number considering that President Obama's campaign alone will likely exceed $1 billion.
As far as inaction on the debt, better start asking why Senator Harry Reid hasn't called for more votes on bills. The Senate hasn't even passed a Federal budget. Any debt bills are likely going to be stalled.
Actually, BP's donation of $29,000 is really only a tiny drop of campaign funds. They will likely play both sides with the majority of the money running with what ever political party is gaining traction. This year it is the Republicans. Last election cycle is was the Democrats. Most companies who don't define themselves on one side or the other will do this.
I don't know if you have forgotten but the Supreme Court ruled specifically on businesses and campaign contributions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22scotus.html
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
3 Oct 11
Very nicely stated. I was reading the blogs and realizing how slanted and in what direction they are, and was getting ready to post about it, but you did is so much more clearly than I would have. So I will leave the long post to you...second it in sentiment and go on with my night.
KUDOS!!
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
3 Oct 11
Was your mother as big a lying oaf as you? Or are you just an embarrassment to her?
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
3 Oct 11
Well I haven't read all your blogs and sources, but then I don't need to. I get told how to vote all the time by my job. I get non-stop crap from the union in my work email telling me who to vote for, what legislation to support or oppose, and regularly telling me what a horrible, evil, hateful human being Chris Christie is.
Once I was talking to the HR manager and saying how my job at the library is so much different than libraries in Florida because state rules in Florida banned politicking and campaigning through government email accounts. She said that wasn't allowed here in New Jersey either. I then gave her the names of people who regularly sent out the emails to all staff. Her response was "Oh, they're allowed to, because they're union stewards" or reps of some such garbage. It doesn't matter that some of these people are managers who have the power to hire and fire people. If you're a union steward, you can violate state rules and regulations.
You can piss and moan about businesses buying republicans, but don't forget about all the unions that bought democrats. Nearly every politician is in someone's pocket and frankly, I'll take a business that creates jobs and provides services over a union that rewards mediocrity while punishing anyone who works a bit too hard and doesn't care how badly it screws the organization it's negotiating with so long as it keeps collecting dues from people who never had a choice whether or not they were members.
