Liberal groups push to exploit Target backlash

[derby378]

Protesters have been rallying outside Target Corp. or its stores almost daily since the retailer angered gay rights supporters and progressives by giving money to help a conservative Republican gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota. Liberal groups are pushing to make an example of the company, hoping its woes will deter other businesses from putting their corporate funds into elections.

A national gay rights group is negotiating with Target officials, demanding that the firm balance the scale by making comparable donations to benefit candidates it favors. Meanwhile, the controversy is threatening to complicate Target's business plans in other urban markets. Several city officials in San Francisco, one of the cities where Target hopes to expand, have begun criticizing the company.

...

The flap has revealed new implications of a recent Supreme Court ruling that appeared to benefit corporations by clearing the way for them to spend company funds directly in elections. Companies taking sides in political campaigns risk alienating customers who back other candidates.

Target's $150,000 donation to a business-oriented group supporting Republican Tom Emmer, an outspoken opponent of gay marriage, was one of the first big corporate contributions to become known after the U.S. Supreme Court threw out prohibitions on corporate spending in elections earlier this year.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Liberal-groups-push-to-apf-2321043209.html?x=0

[Love Bug]

1. Actions have consequence. I'm so disappointed in Target.

When they were still owned by Dayton/Hudson, they were considered a good corporate "neighbor," contributing lots of $$ to the community and charities. Now they have proven they are just as venal as any other corporation. Screw them.

[derby378]

2. I went to a little fair at my credit union...

...where I won a $5 gift card.

I was offered the choice of a gift card from Starbucks, Target, and Quiznos. I don't drink that much coffee, and we all know about Target by now, so I took the Quiznos card. Those cats are hilarious.

[geardaddy]

3. Yep, when it was owned by Dayton's it was much better.

Incidentally, Mark Dayton is now our (D) candidate for gov and running against Emmer! Yea!

http://markdayton.org/mainsite/

[matt819]

4. I hate to be a downer, but whatever we do will amount to nothing.

That said, I wrote to them, and when I received a form response I wrote back to call them out on the lies then submitted a lengthier version here and on HP.

Also, I've not been in my local Target since this news broke. I doubt Target will go broke on my actions, or yours. And, who knows, maybe the lunatic right will shop more at Target for their homophobic and ultra conservative political positions, so whatever we do, even in total, might very well amount to a hill of beans, if that.