This newsletter spends a lot of time reporting on corporate political spending. Corporations are extremely powerful entities and how they spend their political dollars matters. But the reality is that, in the United States, corporations are able to keep much of their political spending secret.
"It appears there are two sets of rules. Corporations are able to spend unlimited sums on TV and online to burnish their image. But critics of corporate power are not given access to the same platforms."
It became crystal clear during the Obama admin that republicons prioritize blocking anything beneficial for people and protecting anything the corporate world wants. That’s the march toward fascism. But during the Trump debacle every law we have on the books seemed to be optional for republicans.
I hope we see something soon that tells us this nightmare will end.
The right wing control of these media venues are making it very difficult to reach the public in numbers we need. This happens with billboards that atheists want to put up as well. The danger of monopoly control is staring at us.
I emailed the following to Walgreens via their customer relations contact and I have sent similar messages to other companies which I own stock in and will continue to send these messages. If other send these types of messages, maybe the company will get the message.
I am a stock owner & customer and I want the company to disclose all political & trade donations. From an investor's position I would prefer that all political donations & trade donations that go to political donations be stopped and the money better used to improve the company. Supporting voter suppression (anti-democratic), repression of women's health rights (ie abortion rights) and the big lie (Trump won the election) are no win situations with the populace and can only alienate some of your customers which is bad for business.
So, first (and most shocking to me),if corporations have no requirements to report political or even trade association dues/gifts (investments?), they remain able to dominate those groups and shape the economy as they see fit. —what sorts of internal “limits” are in place? Is there a role for moral suasion from us in the peanut gallery? —second, kudos to the NGO that even tried to run a corporate accountability piece locally, I hope this blows up on social media &/or national/international outlets. ❤️❤️ Judd, you’re the best.
"This presents an opportunity for corporate lobbyists and others that benefit from secret corporate political spending to push to reinsert the rider."
Anyone want to venture the odds on this? The Healthcare industry is a master at these bait 'n switches to allow their congressional lackies some cover to appear pro-social, then slipping such gotchas in at the last minute when everyone concedes because the bill is too far along (and they all wanted it anyway.) The ACA was a masterclass in this, which is why every healthcare, pharma, and insurance company's stock rose as a result.
Any chance you can perform an analysis of JPMorganChase political spending and send it to Jon Stewart’s “The Problem” podcast team? He recently interviewed Jamie Dimon and questioned him on his company’s lobbying efforts against the infrastructure bill. I do not exactly remember Jamie’s comments, but I believe he said that he was not for one political party or the other. I wonder if his company’s political donations match that view. Jon said that he might have Jamie back on the podcast for a further discussion. I believe your analysis would provide beneficial talking points. Thank you to you and your team for the work you do!
Thank you for continuing to unmask the political maneuvering of corporations.
"It appears there are two sets of rules. Corporations are able to spend unlimited sums on TV and online to burnish their image. But critics of corporate power are not given access to the same platforms."
Yup, and it's infuriating.
It became crystal clear during the Obama admin that republicons prioritize blocking anything beneficial for people and protecting anything the corporate world wants. That’s the march toward fascism. But during the Trump debacle every law we have on the books seemed to be optional for republicans.
I hope we see something soon that tells us this nightmare will end.
The right wing control of these media venues are making it very difficult to reach the public in numbers we need. This happens with billboards that atheists want to put up as well. The danger of monopoly control is staring at us.
I emailed the following to Walgreens via their customer relations contact and I have sent similar messages to other companies which I own stock in and will continue to send these messages. If other send these types of messages, maybe the company will get the message.
I am a stock owner & customer and I want the company to disclose all political & trade donations. From an investor's position I would prefer that all political donations & trade donations that go to political donations be stopped and the money better used to improve the company. Supporting voter suppression (anti-democratic), repression of women's health rights (ie abortion rights) and the big lie (Trump won the election) are no win situations with the populace and can only alienate some of your customers which is bad for business.
The corporations cover each other like a glove. I get so mad about this BS.
However,
Keep up the pressure and good reporting.
So, first (and most shocking to me),if corporations have no requirements to report political or even trade association dues/gifts (investments?), they remain able to dominate those groups and shape the economy as they see fit. —what sorts of internal “limits” are in place? Is there a role for moral suasion from us in the peanut gallery? —second, kudos to the NGO that even tried to run a corporate accountability piece locally, I hope this blows up on social media &/or national/international outlets. ❤️❤️ Judd, you’re the best.
"This presents an opportunity for corporate lobbyists and others that benefit from secret corporate political spending to push to reinsert the rider."
Anyone want to venture the odds on this? The Healthcare industry is a master at these bait 'n switches to allow their congressional lackies some cover to appear pro-social, then slipping such gotchas in at the last minute when everyone concedes because the bill is too far along (and they all wanted it anyway.) The ACA was a masterclass in this, which is why every healthcare, pharma, and insurance company's stock rose as a result.
Any chance you can perform an analysis of JPMorganChase political spending and send it to Jon Stewart’s “The Problem” podcast team? He recently interviewed Jamie Dimon and questioned him on his company’s lobbying efforts against the infrastructure bill. I do not exactly remember Jamie’s comments, but I believe he said that he was not for one political party or the other. I wonder if his company’s political donations match that view. Jon said that he might have Jamie back on the podcast for a further discussion. I believe your analysis would provide beneficial talking points. Thank you to you and your team for the work you do!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-problem-with-jon-stewart/id1583132133?i=1000539242857