WP Some Put Money Where Their Politics Are

[Pirate Smile]

Raven Brooks is making his Christmas list, but he is less concerned with what to buy than where to shop.

Brooks is one of a small group of frustrated Democrats who met while commiserating online after President Bush defeated Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.). Disenchanted and desperate for a voice, they started BuyBlue.org. The two-week-old Web site lists the political contributions of major companies to encourage people to shop at stores and buy products from businesses that supported Democratic candidates.

"If you are a progressive or a liberal, you won't be represented adequately by this administration, or this Congress," Martha Ture, a co-founder of BuyBlue.org, said. As for what Democrats do have, she said, "We have our wallets."

Ann Duvall and her husband, Bill, had the same idea. The semi-retired Silicon Valley couple started ChoosetheBlue.com. The bare-bones Web site lists companies and urges people to vote with their pocketbooks when they buy gifts, shop for groceries or fill up at the gas station.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10714-2004Dec18.html

It is good to see these web sites getting more exposure.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. OOoooo...

The frothers will be frothing over that one tommorrow, in the LTTEs.

Good. Froth, you bastards. Froth.

[Pirate Smile]

3. Well, I need to buy picture frames for presents for the Grandparents of

pictures of the kiddies. I guess I will be going to Bed, Bath & Beyond. Good to know. I had actually forgot about them.

[UpInArms]

2. been doing it for four+ years now

and will continue - am glad that others are doing the same thing - eventually we will cut these basturds off at the knees.

There are more of us than there are of them - no matter how they skew the vote.

[susanna]

4. Exactly. n/t

[Straight Shooter]

5. There's all kinds of ways to support Democratic principles

Here's another, a major environmental organization, National Resource Defense Council, and their little "Green Gift Guide."

We asked NRDC's personal shoppers (actually, they're attorneys, scientists and policy analysts) to tell us the best environmentally friendly gift they've ever given or received. We've packed a shopping cart full of their stories, and added some links to help you track down their green gift suggestions.

http://nrdc.org/cities/living/ggift.asp

For example, look at these recycled typewriter key earrings. Very nostalgic and tres cool. Happy holidays!

[TahitiNut]

6. I think I'd rather buy from a company that's 40% (R) & 60% (D) than ...

... a company that's 100% (D). There's something REALLY fishy and stinky about a company where all of the people (who earn enough to make contributions that show up on the reports) contribute to a single political party. It indicates to me that politics is just too much a factor in that company's hiring and promotion practices. As much as I absolutely detest the current regime and the fascist fucks in Congress that toe the line, I just can't imagine, with all the people who run for office on both sides and at all levels, that it's unreasonable to see some decent people contributing to honest, moderate Republicans, if only to unseat some extremists.

[Osamasux]

13. I'm fine with 100% D

I see your points, but I know that I myself would never contribute to a Republican. Maybe hold my nose and vote for one occasionally, but never contribute or volunteer.

[hippywife]

33. I feel exactly the opposite

It strikes me that companies giving to both almost equally are doing nothing but hedging their bets and playing a game. It's all about access and lining their own pockets, not the public good.

[kimchi]

40. I believe this is the first time I've EVER disagreed with you...

because your wisdom is truly vast and varied.

But looking through several lists I noticed that more than 60% of all companies listed donate to Republican. In other words, they own most of the large businesses in the country.

I won't give them a dime if I can help it. Look at the philosophy of Democrats and ask yourself if it is likely that we would discriminate in hiring or promotion. I'm betting that we would be the party most to NOT discriminate, to hire all colors, religions, etc. We would also be more likely to not "coerce" workers to give money.

I'm willing to give us the benefit of the doubt any day of the week.

Nice to see you around, TN!

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. The WP has noticed

cute... how long have we been at this now?

Oh yes never mind...

[Melissa G]

8. Buy blue Kick!

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. kick

[genieroze]

10. I'll go check it out. eom

[genieroze]

11. Crap, dollar general is on there.

oh well, I'll find another one. My daughter used to work for them, they treated her like crap.

[Osamasux]

12. Which is probably why they are on the R list,

to defend their right to continue treating workers like crap.

[Pithy Cherub]

14. Great! Blue dollars having a definite impact on

red companies will be covered in the financial press, especially if it starts to impact earnings reports. The only thing it seems red companies really care about - people are red companies'fungible resources...

[Lorien]

15. There's a DU Group (forum) just for this issue!

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=255

[Osamasux]

16. Thanks, I added it to my forums.

[chomskysright]

17. DON'T BUY DELL....here's why...

$250,000 to inaguration gala affair plus other donations re: re election.

[ExclamationPoint]

37. OOPS!

I already have a dell computer which I am typing on right now. Should I smash it?

[Bandit]

43. Yes do so immediately

:shrug:

[Emboldened Chimp]

18. Nooooo, not Amazon!!!!

:wtf:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

19. Emailed Skinner, requesting the link be changed from Amazon to Barnes

and Noble on the home page; he and the other admins. are discussing.

I checked out the donations of the Chairman of Barnes and Nobles and he's a big Dem supporter:

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=NY&last=riggio&first=leonard

Riggio, Leonard Mr.
New York, NY 10021
Barnes & Nobles/Chairman KERRY, JOHN F (D)
President
KERRY VICTORY 2004 $25,000
primary 07/20/04
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10011
BARNES & NOBLE MURRAY, PATTY (D)
Senate - WA
PEOPLE FOR PATTY MURRAY U S SENATE CAMPAIGN $2,000
primary 06/24/04
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10011
BARNES & NOBLE MURRAY, PATTY (D)
Senate - WA
PEOPLE FOR PATTY MURRAY U S SENATE CAMPAIGN $2,000
general 06/24/04
Riggio, Leonard
New York, NY 10011 DAVIS, JAMES OSCAR III (D)
House (FL 11)
JIM DAVIS FOR CONGRESS $2,000
primary 03/02/04
Riggio, Leonard
New York, NY 10011
Barnes and nobles/Chairman DAVIS, JAMES OSCAR III (D)
House (FL 11)
JIM DAVIS FOR CONGRESS $2,000
primary 11/20/03
Riggio, Leonard
New York, NY 10011
Barnes and nobles/Chairman DAVIS, JAMES OSCAR III (D)
House (FL 11)
JIM DAVIS FOR CONGRESS $2,000
primary 11/20/03
Riggio, Leonard
New York, NY 10021
Barnes & Noble/Chairman GEPHARDT, RICHARD A (D)
President
GEPHARDT FOR PRESIDENT INC. $2,000
primary 06/30/03
Riggio, Leonard
New York, NY 10011
Barnes and Noble Inc./Founder and C KERRY, JOHN F (D)
President
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC $2,000
primary 03/11/03
Riggio, Leonard
Ny, NY 10011
Barnes & Noble Inc./Chairman DEAN, HOWARD (D)
President
DEAN FOR AMERICA $1,000
primary 08/28/02
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10011
BARNES & NOBLE KIRK, RONALD (D)
Senate - TX
RON KIRK FOR U S SENATE $1,000 06/14/02
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10011
BARNES & NOBLE KIRK, RONALD (D)
Senate - TX
RON KIRK FOR U S SENATE $1,000
general 06/14/02
Riggio, Leonard L
New York, NY 10021
Barnes & Noble/CEO LOWEY, NITA M (D)
House (NY 18)
NITA LOWEY FOR CONGRESS $1,000
primary 06/11/02
Riggio, Leonard L
New York, NY 10021
Barnes & Noble/CEO LOWEY, NITA M (D)
House (NY 18)
NITA LOWEY FOR CONGRESS $1,000
general 06/11/02
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10011
BARNES & NOBLE CARNAHAN, JEAN A (D)
Senate - MO
FRIENDS OF LANDRIEU AND CARNAHAN $2,000
primary 08/11/01
Riggio, Leonard
New York, NY 10021
Barnes & Noble Inc./Chairman GEPHARDT, RICHARD A (D)
House (MO 03)
GEPHARDT IN CONGRESS COMMITTEE $1,000
primary 05/16/01
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10021
BARNES & NOBLE INC BROWN, CORRINE (D)
House (FL 03)
FRIENDS OF CORRINE BROWN $1,000
general 11/06/00
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10011
BARNES & NOBLE BISHOP, SANFORD D JR (D)
House (GA 02)
SANFORD D. BISHOP JR. FOR CONGRESS $1,000
general 10/30/00
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10011
BARNES & NOBLE MCKINNEY, CYNTHIA A (D)
House (GA 04)
CYNTHIA MCKINNEY FOR CONGRESS $1,000
general 10/28/00
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10011
BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS JORDAN, ELEANOR (D)
House (KY 03)
ELEANOR JORDAN FOR CONGRESS $1,000
general 10/28/00
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10011
BARNES & NOBLE DIXON, JULIAN C (D)
House (CA 32)
JULIAN C DIXON - DEMOCRAT FOR CONGRESS $1,000
general 10/26/00
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10021
BARNES & NOBLE NELSON, E BENJAMIN (D)
Senate - NE
NELSON 2000 $1,000
general 10/23/00
Riggio, Leonard
New York, NY 10021
BARNES & NOBLE/Executive
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP PAC $5,000
primary 10/12/00
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10021 GEPHARDT, RICHARD A (D)
House (MO 03)
DEMOCRATIC LEADER'S VICTORY FUND 2000 $1,000
general 09/29/00
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10021
BARNES & NOBLE NADLER, JERROLD LEWIS (D)
House (NY 08)
NADLER FOR CONGRESS INC. $1,000
primary 09/08/00
RIGGIO, LEONARD
NEW YORK, NY 10021
BARNES & NOBLE GEPHARDT, RICHARD A (D)
House (MO 03)
DEMOCRATIC LEADER'S VICTORY FUND 2000 $2,000
primary 08/20/00
Data Provided by the Federal Election Commission as of 12/20/04 -- 11,406,365 records

[Beaverhausen]

22. according to Choose the Blue Amazon is 58% Dem

http://www.choosetheblue.com/main.php?backlevel=002..001Choose%20The%20Blue.002Retail%20Shopping%20and%20Fashion&prodcat=Retail+Stores

[ExclamationPoint]

39. Ok now I'm confused ...

What is Amazon bad or good?! :crazy:

[central scrutinizer]

20. meanwhile in freepland

while they are calling us socialists, they are lining up to buy cheap plastic junk at Walmart, that was made in COMMUNIST China, a country with a policy of forced abortions. Just goes to show they are not anti-abortion, just anti-choice.

[Politicub]

28. Let the right call us names

It's all they have.

Mmmm mmm... the media spotlight is so warm all the sudden.

I love it when progressive and dem ideas get publicity -- even when they are sometimes mediocre ideas. On their face they are in direct contrast with what the republicans are putting out there. And more appealing.

John Kerry would never publically advoate buying blue, but some of us can. Together we will take back the democratic party! (sorry for the rainbows and bunnies post but this article makes me feel great after a somewhat crappy day at work).

[ExclamationPoint]

38. Very true n/t

[greyXstar]

21. Amazon???

Say it ain't so...:(

[UpInArms]

23. Curves Fitness should be on their lists

http://www.fosters.com/november_2004/11.21.04/news/bu_11.21.04b.asp

excerpt:

Curves, a no-frills fitness club for women, is popping up in the oddest places. With more than 75 Curves peppering the Maine landscape, they’re as prevalent as bean suppers and white-steeple churches.

Targeting women in small-town America is part of Curves’ business strategy.

And it’s working: Curves has grown to more than 8,400 franchises in all 50 states and 28 countries, making it by far the world’s No. 1 fitness center in terms of number of clubs. One in every four fitness clubs in the United States is a Curves.


<snip>

Some dismiss Curves as a fad, and Heavin — a born-again Christian — has taken heat for his conservative political views and donations to causes that take a dim view on abortion. Some members have quit the clubs over his stances.

Heavin said he and his wife have given away some $10 million of their money this year, much of it to health clinics and organizations that promote abstinence, prenatal care and pregnancy programs. He calls himself "pro-woman and pro-choice."

<snip>

He has a 1,000-acre ranch near President Bush’s ranch, and his own jet, helicopter and three hot air balloons. In the past year, he and his wife have given nearly $170,000 to the Republican Party and congressional candidates, according to the Federal Election Commission.

...more...

[caligirl]

24. Why I won't spend one cent at this business, and its in my neighborhood

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/04/29/EDGAB6C1IO1.DTL

What's wrong with Curves?

Ruth Rosen

Thursday, April 29, 2004






CORRECTION: The following column contained errors involving contributions made by Gary Heavin, founder and CEO of Curves, the women's fitness chain. (5/13) Ruth Rosen's April 29 opinion-page column stated that Heavin "has given at least $5 million of his profits to some of the most militant anti-abortion groups in the country." That characterization is not accurate.

The column specified that the money went to "three Texas organizations to fund 'pregnancy crisis centers.' '' Only one of the recipients, Care Net, operates pregnancy crisis centers that are designed to dissuade pregnant women from having abortions while offering other support services to encourage adoption. Heavin has pledged to give Care Net $1 million over the next five years, according to a Curves spokeswoman.

The largest of the pledges -- $3.75 million over five years -- goes to the Family Practice Center of McLennan County, which provides a variety of health-care services to Central Texas residents, many of whom are uninsured, according to the Curves spokeswoman. The Catholic-run center does not provide abortions but is not actively involved in the anti-abortion movement, the center's CEO said.

The other recipient of Heavin's pledge, $250,000 over five years, was the McLennan County Collaborative Abstinence Project, which promotes sexual abstinence among teens. Its director said that, as a matter of policy, its staff would not discuss abortion when making presentations.

The column presented the contributions as a percentage of the company's annual gross revenues. But the Curves spokeswoman said that those pledges, as well as millions of dollars in donations to a wide range of charities, came from Heavin's personal wealth.

The column also referred to Heavin's comments in a "recent Christianity Today" article that he "is proud to support these organizations." In fact, the interview was published in the January-February issue of Today's Christian, a magazine affiliated with Christianity Today. In it, Heavin expressed his anti- abortion views but did not talk about his support for any specific organization.

In addition, as stated in a May 4 clarification of Rosen's column, the radical anti-abortion group Operation Save America has praised the recipients of Heavin's pledges but it does not provide financial support for them.

[caligirl]

26. More on Heavin the ex con

Such modest locations also enhance the profits of franchise owners, who pay $29,000 to open a Curves outlet, plus a monthly royalty fee of $395. (For many women, it's a relatively inexpensive and convenient way to start a small business.)

So is there any reason why you shouldn't rush out to join this Wal-Mart of gyms that's helping so many women improve their health?

Well, yes. The owner, Gary Heavin, has given at least $5 million of his profits to some of the most militant anti-abortion groups in the country.

Heavin, like his next-door neighbor George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas, found redemption as a grown man. Before founding Curves in 1992, he went bankrupt, lost custody of his two children and served a six-month jail sentence for not paying child support. In prison, he became a born-again Christian.

In 2003, Heavin and his wife gave away $10 million -- 10 percent of their company's gross revenues -- to charities. At least half of that money went to three Texas organizations to fund "pregnancy crisis centers" supported by Operation Save America -- the same organization that blamed the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on God's retribution for abortions and whose purpose, as described on its Web site, is to "unashamedly take up the cause of pre-born children in the name of Jesus Christ."

By offering the same health services provided by Planned Parenthood -- except abortion -- anti-abortion activists hope that privately financed alternatives will force the closure of any clinics that don't insist "you must carry your child to term."

[UpInArms]

27. thanks for the additional info

the info I had made me want to :puke:

Your's makes me :argh:

:thumbsup: for helping to spread the truth

[caligirl]

30. Yeah, I understand. Want to go flier the place myself. n/t

[Politicub]

25. Finally

One corallary of this election is that dems are in the spotlight. And I think it only helps our cause to get major publicity for sites like BuyBlue.org.

Though not perfect, Democrat's ideas stand in stark relief to vile stuff spewed from republicans.

[dolo amber]

29. I find this very odd...

(from choosetheblue.com)

Brand % to Dem % to Rep

Fox News Corp 61% 39%

Fox News News Corp 61% 39%

Fox Sports News Corp 61% 39%

Fox Television News Corp 61% 39%

http://www.choosetheblue.com/main.php?backlevel=002..001Choose%20The%20Blue.002Entertainment%20and%20News&prodcat=Television+Networks

:wtf:

edit to fix link

[thegreatwildebeest]

31. Doesn't this seem contradictory?

The idea of purchasing goods from certain corporations over others just because they vaguely support Democratic causes by spilling money into their coffers seems shortsighted at best, almost anti the whole point at worst. Why insist on promoting consumerism, or the idea of non local stores? Rather than spend money on another home bauble at bed, bath, and beyond, why not choose to do your food shopping at your local farmers market, or an organic co-op? Or how about cutting back on consuming period, instead doing creative and free (or atleast the price of materials) things?

[Learning2Fly]

32. Local and Co-op sounds nice

and for some necessities it will work. But, if and when one must purchase items from a regional, national or chain store, it's good to know whose political interests you are potentially supporting with your cash. And I'd rather not support Republicans.

[MarkRockwell]

46. well...

...and i hate to sound too Orwellian, but if we start to splinter economic spending along political party lines we're in for one hell of a mess.

[Willy Lee]

41. WooHoo! Well put Wildebeest.

And welcome to DU!

While it is nice to know that Costco supports dems, I am much happier buying only what I NEED (not 80 gajillion rolls of TP at once) from local businesses. OK, so our family-owned-been-in-business-for-90-years butcher shop charges more. But I am much happier shopping there than at a chain. Same goes for my local farming community. I get so much satisfaction from buying veggies, fruit, jams, honey, candles, coffee cups, etc etc from hard working and creative farmers and artisans in my area than shopping at the mall. And what is cool is that my support for them leads to greater support for my own products. It is win win win all the way around.

[lastliberalintexas]

44. Your town still has a

family-owned-been-in-business-for-90-years butcher shop? :wow:


I understand and agree with what you're saying. But for those of us without a nearby famers' market, it's nice to know which chain grocery/drug/etc. store is the best of the bunch.

[MarkRockwell]

45. splitered

No one knows what they want to do anymore. I'll tell you one thing though, buying from Democrat funding business, for that reason alone, is not just silly, it's stupid. You wanna stop these guys? Well give up this "holier than thou" boycott bullshit and pay attention. Ohio is about to (maybe it already happened) raise the personal donation limits to $10,000. Furthermore they're going to cut out rules that say corporations can't donate to political campaigns. So while you're all sqabbling about whether Barnes & Nobel is Republican even though they sell Clintons book - do yourselves a favor and see the big picture. It doesn't matter who gets your puny dollar - most of these companies give to BOTH parties! What matters is that you're buying from giant corporate brands that are going to further the system anyways. Buy from businesses that deserve it and don't buy from those who don't. But overall, just stop buying so much god damned stuff!

[GOPBasher]

34. This is such a great idea! I have to check out this site.

[noshenanigans]

35. I'm limited to Big Box stores

Where I am, if I don't buy online (which I do, mostly. There's a great site called Blissen that's a collective of women who make crafts and jewelry that I love to get gifts from), I'm limited in my resources. I bought all of my presents at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Barnes & Noble, though.

I just can't find it within myself to go into a Wal-Mart, even though it's literally the only store within 20 miles of my house. I will drive the hour-and-a-half to avoid it.

[ExclamationPoint]

36. Starbucks and Barnes and Noble....

Those are exactly the places I already shop at. Walmart, K-Mart, and Target...those are exactly the places I already hate. Well I guess I've done a pretty good job shopping at blue places. :)

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mermaid]

42. THIS Is A Fuckin' GREAT Idea!! You Got Me!!

I'm going to these sites, and looking them up...and I am going to alter my shopping habits accordingly. fuck these conservo-creep assholes, they aren't gonna get one red cent of MY money, anymore. EVER!!

Not now that I have a choice, and a voice...and I know who is speaking with my voice. Those companies will be rewarded with my business. Those who support my political enemies...they will lose my business - FOREVER!!

The friend of my enemy is also my enemy.
I do not do business with my enemies.

[MarkRockwell]

47. dude

calm down.

[mermaid]

49. Calm Down??

Hell, I'm just stating my opinion. I'm not EVEN riled up yet, trust me...that was MILD for me.

I'm just stating the facts....the friend of my enemy is also my enemy.

I'm pissed off, and I'm not going to take it anymore! Not now that I do not have to.

I'm going to turn my "pissed off-edness" into ACTION!

I'm going to punish my enemies by denying them my money.

[Skittles]

50. WTF

where do you get off joining us and telling us to f***ing calm down?????

[puddycat]

51. I see the psych police are here, telling people how to gage their emotions

knock it off