This Christmas, BUY BLUE

[Jack_Dawson]

http://www.choosetheblue.com/main.php

[Vincardog]

1. Put only blue Christmas lights up and this is where to shop

** Price Club/Costco donated $225K, of which 99% went to DEMOCRATS;
** Rite Aid, $517K, 60% to DEMOCRATS;
** Magla Products (Stanley tools, Mr. Clean), $22K, 100% to DEMOCRATS;
** Warnaco (undergarments), $55K, 73% to DEMOCRATS;
** Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, $153K, 99% to DEMOCRATS;
** Estee Lauder, $448K, 95% to DEMOCRATS;
** Guess ? Inc., $145K, 98% to DEMOCRATS;
** Calvin Klein, $78K, 100% to DEMOCRATS;
** Liz Claiborne, Inc., $34K, 97% to DEMOCRATS;
** Levi Straus, $26K, 97% to DEMOCRATS;
** Olan Mills, $175K, 99% to DEMOCRATS.
** Gallo Winery, $337K, 95% to DEMOCRATS;
** Southern Wine & Spirits, $213K, 73% to DEMOCRATS;
** Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons (includes beverage business, plus considerable media interests), $2M+, 67% DEMOCRATS.
** Sonic Corporation, $83K, 98% DEMOCRAT;
** Triarc Companies (Arby's, T.J. Cinnamon's, Pasta Connections), $112K, 96% DEMOCRATS;
** Hyatt Corporation, $187K, 80% to DEMOCRATS;

WalMart, $467K, 97% to REPUBLICANS;
K-Mart, $524K, 86% to REPUBLICANS;
Home Depot, $298K, 89% to REPUBLICANS;
Target, $226K, 70% to REPUBLICANS;
Circuit City Stores, $261K, 95% to REPUBLICANS;
3M Co., $281K, 87% to REPUBLICANS;
Hallmark Cards, $319K, 92% to REPUBLICANS;
Amway, $391K, 100% REPUBLICAN;
Kohler Co. (plumbing fixtures), $283K, 100% REPUBLICANS;
B.F. Goodrich (tires), $215K, 97% to REPUBLICANS;
Proctor & Gamble, $243K, 79% to REPUBLICANS;
Coors, $174K, 92% to REPUBLICANS; (also Budweiser - sd)
Brown-Forman Corp. (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Korbel wines - as well as Lennox China, Dansk, Gorham Silver), $644, 80% to REPUBLICANS;
Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (chicken), $366K, 100% REPUBLICAN;
Outback Steakhouse, $641K, 95% REPUBLICAN;
Tricon Global Restaurants (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), $133K, 87% REPUBLICAN;
Brinker International (Maggiano's, Brinker Cafe, Chili's, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, Crazymel's, Corner Baker, EatZis), $242K, 83% REPUBLICAN;
Waffle House, $279K, 100% REPUBLICAN;
McDonald's Corp., $197K, 86% REPUBLICAN;
Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Bahama Breeze), $121K, 89% REPUBLICAN;
Mariott International, $323K, 81% to REPUBLICANS;
Holiday Inns, $38K, 71% to REPUBLICANS.

[Bouncy Ball]

5. Good list, I am going to pass that on.

And I am buying blue Christmas lights for the house. Never used them before, but they seem wonderfully appropriate.

[KSAtheist]

10. No way.

Outback Steakhouse, $641K, 95% REPUBLICAN

If I have to choose between a symbolic gesture, and the blooming onion, then the onion will win every time.

[Atman]

16. 3000 calories in a bloomin onion

And that is just your appetizer.

Are you MAD?

BTW, shameless plug time, then back to the drawing board for tomorrow's DUCOMIX cartoon...

My online store has many non-poltical items, too, and we're BLUE...design/live/work in CT, hosted in MD, products made in CA, (okay, as much as we can take China out of the equation these days). Check it out...help a brother eat this Christmas! B-)

RMcG Artware - It's not just for sedition anymore!

[fudge stripe cookays]

23. Atman-- question...

Would you like us to add you to the Progressive Pages?

If so, send me an e-mail with your business name, address and phone, Website, and what you do to support progressives.

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[Atman]

34. Yes, I'd love to be added...

Let me finish up my DU cartoon, then I'll put some info in an e-mail. Thanks.

[fudge stripe cookays]

43. Rockin!

I'll try to add you in when I get your info.

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[Touchdown]

37. Sonic's onion rings taste better.

...besides, your car radio is always playing better music than the piped in crap in corporate chain restaurants. BTW: Outback also owns Carraba's Italian Grill, or the other way around.

[texpatriot2004]

14. Hey thanks for the list. I will be looking for more lists like this

I want to hit them where it hurts.

[lady lib]

61. Here's another list

http://www.boycottbush.net/consumers.htm

[Tharks]

26. Hypocritical?

Isn't this precisely the kind of corporate influence on politics that people are against? I for one am against any donations that aren't anonymous because of precisely this kind of thing - people buying from one corporation and not another based on what party they support. This is exactly how special interests donations ruin the political system. Don't you see the hypocricy of doing this?

[fudge stripe cookays]

44. It's not hypocrisy when they are killing us by doing the same thing.

Money is the only thing these people seem to understand.

5 posts huh? Try a little harder next time.

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[Jack_Dawson]

82. LOL

[ooglymoogly]

51. we are in a fight for our lives

we can no longer pretend to be so elegant. the marquis of queesbury would turn over in his grave if he saw what the repukes are doing....they don't play by the rules and neither can we. we are not that stupid anymore. and by god this is just the beginning so i say boycott the bstrds who are taking control of our press and our government. we have no choice

[ooglymoogly]

52. fine stop all corporate donations

until then boycott

[VTHoosierPatriot]

67. ???? Mentally Challenged????

Given the rules are currently inadequate, but you have to play the game. For myself, giving cents on the dollar to support spreading false wars and trumping science with religion leaves me unfulfilled. That's why I look to see where portions of my money are going. If anything it encourages that the corporations give equally by holding them accountable. Anonymous contributions are definitely not the way to go. I want to know how much $ it takes to rewrite legislation with industry rhetoric, like say for an energy task force.
It's funny how the beer companies go R, while the liquor companies go D. Damn, GOP pussies. If you're going to get drunk, make sure you get proper drunk.

[Vincardog]

69. No the hypocrisy is supporting paras ital Corporations who are harming

US. FASCISM it the alliance of Corporations and Governments at the expense of the PEOPLE. We have the power and need to exercises it.
If special interests are polluting our government don't you think we should do something to stop them?

[Neoma]

2. Kewl!

thanks

[JaneDoughnut]

3. Please check out the Economic Activism Forum

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

There are lots of great ideas here. It's sad how many of us have been voting blue at the polls and voting red with our dollars.

[TexasSissy]

4. Great idea!

[mslux]

6. Made in the USA

Please let me know if you find any house lights NOT made in China. We don't knowingly support slave labor, as practiced in China, so there are many things we just don't buy.

[Jack_Dawson]

7. Vons is Repuke!

:puke:

There ain't no blue grocery stores! And don't say Costco cause it ain't convenient. :-(

[demo dutch]

30. I love Costco! also buy my gas there! Have to rethink

shopping at Publix though. I try to shop at Whole Foods they're based in Austin, TX, at least they support organic. Or shop at the one's that are giving more evenly.

[Jack_Dawson]

50. Whole Foods...can you say 2nd Mortgage?

Nice store though...

[Willy Lee]

74. We call 'em "Whole Payckecks". eom

[lynintenn]

73. I got a costoco card yesterday

I have to drive 30 miles farther than to Sam's but I told them why I was changing

[kayell]

84. There's a lot of info in this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=255x161
on how to skip the major stores entirely, and support your local economy.

[THX1138]

8. LOL

Hooters of America - Rep: 96% Dem: 4%

Another fine example of those "moral values" we hear so much about

[zulchzulu]

9. Maybe we need to remake "Blue Christmas" for this year

To the tune of:
http://yu.ac.kr/~bwlee/midi/blxmas3.mid

Blue Christmas

I'll have a blue Christmas this year with you
I sure hope you will only be supporting blue
No decorations of red on my green Christmas tree
Nothing red since they stole the election away from me

I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain.
And when that blue progressive feeling keeps growing
You'll be doin' all right
Without any red Christmas lights,
Yes I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas.

[Must_B_Free]

11. YES!!!

He named names!

They will shit a brick when they see it hurt the bottom line.

[theHandpuppet]

12. Thanks very much for the list!

Anything for Lowe's (hardware), JC Penney, PetSmart? How about any mail order outfits?

Thanks in advance for any info.

[mdhunter]

13. Shell is listed as the only blue gas station. Please, don't buy from them.

RDS is the biggest environmenal and human rights offender of them all, and just because they gave an extra few thousand dollars to democrats doesn't make up for it.

I only buy BP/Amoco fuels, they invest more in sustainable energy and have a high quality product. Shell, on the other hand, is quite literally the last station I would choose. I should note, too, that BP, though they gave something like 65% to republicans nevertheless lagged behind Shell's giving to democrats in real terms by only a few tens of thousands of dollars.

*disclosure edit. I am not employed by any of the firms mentioned above.

[Atman]

17. USE CITGO for gas, if you have 'em

The ONLY blue gas. Shell is second best, if no Citgo is available.

Many more Blue Resources on the NotBannedYet site...

[fudge stripe cookays]

18. Citgo is good too.

Gives back to the people of Venezuela.

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[mojavekid]

29. We buy our gas from Costco

Any word on where their gas comes from?

[demo dutch]

32. CostCo is able to buy its gas from a variety of refineries

in the statewide wholesale market, the company has been able to consistently offer the lowest prices in every community it has entered. So who knows where it comes however it's nice to know that they support Democrates. I also try to get my gas at Hess at least their gas does not come from the Middle East, and is almost as low as Costco.

[sinkingfeeling]

15. I usually do alot of mail order for Xmas and receive about 150

catalogs...this year, I immediately threw away all of them from red states! Ordered from California and Wisconsin companies.

[fudge stripe cookays]

20. While this is a start,

the companies themselves could be red. The states themselves have nothing to do with the companies.

Please check out the individual firms before painting all red states with the same brush.

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[DemBones DemBones]

46. Please don't assume companies in red states are GOP donors.

Check out whether the company supports Democrats or Republicans before dismissing it for being headquartered in a red state.

Lots of us blue voters are living in red states and would appreciate your remembering that fact, instead of thinking everyone in a red state supported Bush**. It's hard enough being blue in a red area without having blues in blue states lumping us in with the reds. :mad:

[sinkingfeeling]

57. I live in a red state and I do realize there are exceptions everywhere.

But I am also in the foulest mood I've ever been in. I have dreamed of retiring to the the Northwest Ireland for years...and it is all in shambles since the dollar is worth 40% less! I put up a 5'x 4' For Sale by Owner sign on my 1858 Victorian house the Saturday after the election. I said, "The hell with it, I'll take what I can get and leave this stupid red state and the USA".

I cancelled my newspaper, stopped watching even the local TV news, dropped my contribution to UW, the Salvation Army, etc. (I usually provided $500 to local charities at Christmas).

I went through the 1960's and Viet Nam, when half my high school class served. I am pissed at the ignorance and growing fascism in this country.

I may be recovering to a certain degree...took down the For Sale sign after two weeks...24 calls and probably 3 for-real offers... but still haven't 'reopened my heart'.

[fudge stripe cookays]

19. Important data like this is at the Economic Activism Forum!

Please come check it out!

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

We've researched many of these companies already, and have their data included on many of the threads there.

Also, plug once again for the Progressive Pages which Sappocrat, Foreign Correspondent, I, and many others are putting together. Come check it out: we need your info!

http://www.globalblogs.com/progressivepages/index.html

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[lady lib]

21. Fox News is blue?

Is this right? I'm confused. Need coffee.

[Jack_Dawson]

22. Fox News is always trying to fake people out

Robert Murdoch is solidly in the rightie camp, yes.

[medeak]

36. that was wierd and Disney too? n/t

[DemBones DemBones]

49. Here's the scoop on FOX:

Found this in the site's FAQ:


Why are some companies not the color I think they should be?

In some cases a corporation`s donations* are different than their public persona.  This often leads to an apparent conflict between who they appear to be and to whom they donate.  One example is Rupert Murdoch`s News Corp (Fox News), whose public perception is of a Republican entity, and yet whose donations are predominantly to Democrats.  While a company may make donations which are not reported to the Federal Election Commission, we can only report on the information which is publicly available.  If you feel you have additional information about these companies and their donations, please let us know.

[e-mail]

* Corporate totals are based on donations from PACs, employees, subsidiaries and affiliates for the 2003-2004 election cycle.


I highlighted that last sentence as a possible explanation. Perhaps Murdoch is a cheap bastard who gives little to the GOP and Fox has many Democratic employees?




 

[bloom]

24. Not many BLUE restaurants - Don't forget to go LOCAL

If I go out to eat - I don't like to go to chains anyway. On the road - think about these:

Hard Rock Cafe International
100% Dems
0% Reps

Arby's
100% Dems
0% Reps

Sonic Drive-In
100% Dems
0% Reps

Democratic politicians making campaign stops - getting publicity should think about this as well. Someone mentioned THK at a campaign stop at Wendy's - could just have easily been Arby's. B.Clinton gave lots of free advertising to MacDonald's....


-------
Mainly Republican donors:

Wendy's
Taco Bell
MacDonald's
KFC
A&W
Chilis
Cracker Barrel
Little Ceasar's
Pizza Hut

Many more...

[Jack_Dawson]

39. What about Carl's Jr?

I love that place. I'd go there even if it was red.

[fudge stripe cookays]

40. Well, you get your wish then.

Very red.

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[Jack_Dawson]

48. Ugh

[trogdor]

58. We go to local Mom and Pops

Screw the chains. All of them. They all suck. :-P Why, when I live in the state with the world's best pizza (New York), should I even look in the general direction of a Pizza Hut?

[bloom]

25. If you haven't bought Christmas Cards yet - or for next year....

Hallmark and Recycled Greetings are big Republican donors.

Any other company would be better.

[fudge stripe cookays]

42. I usually get mine at World Market.

I haven't found anything negative on them yet, but I've been looking. Nothing to go on so far. Thank goodness.

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[DesertRat]

27. thanks for the list

Great list. Costco, Arby's and Sonic here I come! :)

[demo dutch]

28. Buy my gas at Costco but sometimes at Hess because

they do not get their oil from the Middle East. The Amerada Hess Corporation is based in New York city. Does anyone know more about them???

[mainer]

31. Volvo and Saab are RED???

I can't believe it. Only Toyota is blue!

[SW FL Dem]

33. Ford bought Volvo several years ago

Most US Volvos are now made in the US by Ford.

[Atman]

35. Saabs are built on GM platforms

They're old Pontiac Aleros or something like that, which a Saab body slapped to the frame. Can't remember the exact GM model, though.

[lectrobyte]

78. not to mention that Subaru that Saab is rebadging. 9-2 or something.

[MsTryska]

60. I feel good about my camry now. nt

nt

[medeak]

38. have to buy 5 phones today

thanks! It will be Sony! (piece of crap GE phones didn't last 6 months)

[choicevoice]

41. Take the concept local

I try to find out what locally owned businesses are Repuke red and yes I get some strange looks when I ask questions. At the local Saturday farmers market/flea market in our town I usually start asking questions like, "What did you think of the electon?" while looking over their produce. You would be amazed at how many will automatically tell you how they voted. If they come back spewing how they loved the mandate *bush won, etc. I simply explain that while their satsumas look lovely I cannot in good conscience support anyone who supports the the *bush agenda blah blah blah.

I believe in taking the message local. My own little grass roots campaign.

[fudge stripe cookays]

45. Choice if you have any good ones to share, let me know.

I'll add them to our Progressive Pages as either red or blue.

[DemBones DemBones]

47. Holy cow! Piggly Wiggly gives 100% to the GOP!

I'm better off staying with Kroger, which only gives them 70%, or Wal-Mart (83%.)

Hmm. Wonder where the nearest Costco is? I'd drive 30-40 miles once every 4-6 weeks to stock up on groceries at a store that gives 98% to Democrats! Off to do a search. . .

[barackmyworld]

53. I have blue christmas presents!

I hand-print dem t-shirts to pay for my ridiculous Harvard tuition. I was a Kerry donor :)

Check them out here:
http://www.mayadesign.8m.com

[Jack_Dawson]

54. Is that...you?

:shrug:

[barackmyworld]

63. yep! n/t

[Jack_Dawson]

68. Nice bod

:toast:

[barackmyworld]

77. haha thanks

[fudge stripe cookays]

56. Great site!

Let me know if you want me to add you to the Progressive Pages! (Send me what you do to patronize progressives -- I mean, other than selling T-shirts with hot VP candidates on them--since you don't have the usual storefront address to worry about)

Maybe we can drum up some more business for you!

:D
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[UrbScotty]

55. Thanks for the link. (nt)

[MsTryska]

59. Wait a second.....

are we sure this list is correct?


you're telling me viacom and fox news gave more money to the dems than bravo - the gayest channel on cable?!

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

[American Tragedy]

62. I think we may need individualized lists for specific cities and regions

I get the feeling that we'd have more luck in finding blue places on that level rather than picking through the colossal franchises.

I frequently go out to eat at local places, which tend to be very eclectic, not necessarily huge donors but extremely open and active in their political leanings. Examples from where I live would be the Rudyard Kipling or El Mundo, where we handed out most of our Kerry buttons while eating dinner and ranting about Bush. If you're progressive, socialist, anarchist, whatever, there could hardly be more friendly atmosphere. I imagine every city is loaded with places like that, which deserve our financial support for at least taking a stand.

Example of local red: if you live in Louisville, remember not to go to Bachman Chevrolet to get a car. Not only is GM a red company, but Mrs. Bachman donated big time to Bush. She's the blonde in the commercials wearing the huge, wildly ostentatious cross around her neck.

[fudge stripe cookays]

71. Thanks AT.

Are you in Louisville? Where are the restaurants? I can add them to the Progressive Pages if I know where they are. Did you hand out your paraphernalia to lots of diehard employees? Any other info on their leanings (meetups etc held there? Owners Dems?)

Thanks!
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[bbqshoes]

64. This is why I constantly exhort people to SHOP COSTCO!

http://www.choosetheblue.com/main.php?backlevel=002..001Choose%20The%20Blue.002Groceries&prodcat=Grocery+Stores

[JAD]

65. Choose the Blue

Why don't we finish off Sinclair first so they know we mean business.

[GreenPartyVoter]

66. Buy Blue and GREEN :^) Shopping directory for progressives

http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/#shopping

[lancdem]

70. Thanks for posting this

I love Liz Claiborne!

[fudge stripe cookays]

72. Some of our Dem givers HAVE

gotten some flack for sweatshop labor. Liz I believe is in that group. Along with Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Chadwick's, and a few others.

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[formernaderite]

75. My wife shops at a wholesale place called BJ's wholesale...

...on the way home from work. I couldn't find it on either list, so I don't know who they contribute to. I'll have to ask her if I've got the correct name. I personally like Costco, plus they have gas.

[Atman]

79. BJ's is TJX, or TJ Maxx, formerly Zayre.

nt

[fudge stripe cookays]

80. I'm wondering if they divested BJ's.

I added TJX last night, and didn't see that name listed as a side co.

Worth checking into.
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[formernaderite]

86. So are they red or blue?

Couldn't find them on the list to know either way.

[rpannier]

76. This is the most useful post I've seen

Thank you. It makes it easier to shop responsibly.

[fudge stripe cookays]

81. Look here r.

http://www.globalblogs.com/progressivepages/index.html

Even more good info, when we can get lots more added, it'll be better! (hint hint)

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[TygrBright]

83. Careful....

....campaign contributions are NOT the only thing that matters in determining where you can do business, if you want to spend with the "good guys." Keep in mind a few other things:

Some companies have been known to donate big bucks to candidates from the party that *opposes* their beliefs, just so that they can build influence with them---and use that influence at critical moments, to pressure them on a vote, etc.

And, yes, a Dem worried about a tough re-election campaign against a well-funded opponent might very well throw a vote to avoid pissing off a big-money donor.

So look at a company's WHOLE record: How they are on labor issues. How they are on environmental issues. How they are on workplace safety and product safety issues. How they are on issues connected with corporate accountability and oversight. The difference between what their CEO is paid and what their lowest workers are paid.

Those things will tell you a LOT more about how close a company is to being a decent, ethical, corporate citizen-- and thus, how likely the company's owners and managers are to "blueness."

Secondly, keep in mind that for many people in rural areas, people with limited mobility, people with terrible time crunches (working 3 jobs to make the mortgage payment,) and so on, going 30 miles out of your way to shop at Costco instead of Sam's Club can be a serious issue. I'd like to suggest an alternate form of putting the treasure where the heart is, for those who are limited in their ability to schlep to politically correct vendors:

Estimate how much time/money you save buying at the bad guys, and write a check for that amount to your favorite Democratic candidate! (This is something I do, since I live at the arse-end of nowhere and can't readily get to many PC retailers.)

encouragingly,
Bright

[fudge stripe cookays]

85. Good point.

We also try to note sweatshop issues and other important things that we find in our searches while we're researching companies.

I know these are also important to people.

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