What exactly are coporate donations, then? Someone explain.

[blurp]

I was examining a listing of blue corporations that donate to Democrats. The page is here:

http://www.buyblue.org/bluexmas.html

I noticed this paragraph:

In many cases, the organizations themselves did not donate, rather the money came from the organization's PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.

So what exactly is going on? When someone says "corp X gave $$$ to party Y", is this all they mean, that the employees of corp X gave the money?

I thought "corporate contributions" literally meant corporations giving big money to candidates and parties.

Can someone please explain or clarify?

[whistle]

1. I think the following definition may help you to understand....

...A corporation is a legal entity, allowed by legislation, which permits a group of people, as shareholders (for-profit companies) or members (non-profit companies), to create an organization, which can then focus on pursuing set objectives, and empowered with legal rights which are usually only reserved for individuals, such as to sue and be sued, own property, hire employees or loan and borrow money. Also known as a "company." The primary advantage of for profit corporations is that it provides its shareholders with a right to participate in the profits (by dividends) without any personal liability because the company absorbs the entire liability of the organization.

That last sentance sums it up pretty nicely where political contibutions are concerned, especially when individuals are limited by law as to how much they can contribute.

[mcscajun]

2. And when I worked for a bank...

...which I did for many, many years...every freakin' year they'd be harassing us to donate in support of their PAC.

They even had suggested amounts/percentages based on your rank within the company. They swore they didn't keep track...yet somehow every year the slackers (like me) who didn't give got second and third reminder mails. No...not keeping track at all. Won't impact your rating or future...oh no.

Bas-TARDS!

I never game a dime, 'cause a) I'm opposed to PACs, b) I didn't like being harassed, and c) I didn't really want to support the bank's legislative agenda.

[lenidog]

3. Maybe its just

me but isn't it a little hypocritical to call the Rpeublicans out on all the corporate donations they get and then run a website telling you to buy from other corporations because they donated to us. Shouldn't we be getting all corporations out of the political business.