I just returned from my local Target Store on South Iowa. The purpose of my trip to the store was to hand the manager a letter on my personal letterhead. The letter stated that I would not shop at Target due to the company’s support for Tom Emmer, candidate for governor of Minnesota, through its $150,000 donation to his campaign. Amongst his other right-wing attitudes, Emmer has been aggressive in opposing gay rights. Furthermore, he has denigrated low-paid service workers.
Basically, he supports the typical cruel, insensitive, destructive, and pro-plutocracy views of the current Republican Party. The $150,000 Target donation to his campaign reflects the new political reality following the Citizens United case.
The manager at my local Target store was quite upset and concerned. He said that he was not aware of the controversy but that he had never known Target’s involvement in political issues. He said that he would send my letter “up the line” to corporate headquarters. I urge everyone who find persecution of gay, poor, immigrant, or any other groups of Americans unconscionable to take a letter to your local target store. Boycott Target and let them know that you are boycotting them.
Read more about the issue, compliments of MoveOn.org:
1. “Target Corp. defends Minn. political donation,” Associated Press, July 27, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89661&id=22226-17563536-tmEGDIx&t=4
2. “GOP-linked punk rock ministry says executing gays is ‘moral’,” Minnesota Independent, May 25, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89716&id=22226-17563536-tmEGDIx&t=5
“Emmer Camp On Comment That Waiters Make $100K: ‘It’s An Extreme Example’,” Talking Points Memo, July 13, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89717&id=22226-17563536-tmEGDIx&t=6
3. “Minn. Ad Puts Target At Center Of Campaign Finance Controversy,” NPR, July 27, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89714&id=22226-17563536-tmEGDIx&t=7
You are over reacting. Target does so much good for the community. Besides, should’nt the issue of same sex marriage be decided by the people, not the courts and certainly on the politicans. I say put it on the ballot, let the people of each state decide and live with the decision.
With all due respect Jason, I disagree that letting Target know that we will not support the company if it continues to support right-wing causes is overreacting. Given the Citizens United case, we have no other way to push back on corporations’ use of their massive economic power to push the government further to the right. Conservatives would be advised to do the same if huge contributions come from corporations to push liberal causes.
Furthermore, the constitutional rights of any group of citizens should not be subject to the whim of voters. We certainly wouldn’t do that with women’s rights or the rights of ethnic minorities. It just happens to be my view that any two people who love each other and wish to marry should have the same rights as any other two people – irregardless of sexual orientation. Thanks for your comments!