Wal-Mart's political spending hits new levels in California

[Kadie]

Wal-Mart's political spending hits new levels in California
TOM CHORNEAU, Associated Press Writer

Tuesday, October 26, 2004


(10-26) 11:42 PDT SACRAMENTO (AP) --

After years of waging its political wars almost exclusively on the local level, Wal-Mart is spending aggressively this election in support of favored statewide candidates and ballot measures -- including donations to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Republican Party.

The world's largest corporation, which once had a tradition of trying to stay out of politics, has given more than $2.4 million on California races so far this year -- well beyond any previous sum the company has spent here in one year.

And Wednesday, the Bentonville, Ark.-based company announced it would donate an additional $500,000 to the opponents of Proposition 72, a measure that will require employers to provide basic health insurance to workers.

Wal-Mart representatives said the escalation of its political activity in California is a direct result of the mounting attacks the company faces in the state by labor unions and other critics.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/10/26/state1442EDT0062.DTL

[The Sushi Bandit]

1. Screw them.. They have ruined small stores on Maui and in Hilo

I wont go in them.. At least Costco is union!

[Spinzonner]

2. Umm, let me see if I understand this right ...

They're against being required to do something they claim to do already (in commercials and advertisements).

It must just be a matter of principle ...

[napi21]

4. That's exactly the thought I had when I rad this post!

All their ads say they provide the opportunity to all their employees to purchase health care insurance. Maybe this means they really want the opportunity to NOT DO THAT!

Anyone know how this is doing in the polls? Does it sound like the people of Ca. will pass it???

[Tight_rope]

3. Glad I stop shopping there!

[salib]

5. OK Dems and Progressive

This is starting to look like a fight bigger than we have seen since the
days of the "Wobblies" and the original labor union building. Are we up to it this time? Is "The Greatest Generation" the only ones who could do this? GOTV is a good, but modest start. Kerry can only do so much politically even if he does manage to get a Dem house and Senate, and almost nothing if he does not have the House and Senate. It is up to us, beyond this election to call a spade a spade. Wal-mart is a huge, basically amoral but often evil, organization that does not care at all about any of us except as the bottom part of the pyramid scheme that is this economy. Never forget it. Fight or suffer wage slavery. Try to simply compete and alienate your fellows in other countries, those that make only pennies on the dollar that we do here and we will LOSE THAT BATTLE. We cannot "compete" unless we only get pennies on the dollar, or they get dollar for dollar what we get. Do you really think Wal-Mart would not fight tooth and nail against oversees workers getting our wages? They will lie, cheat, bribe, kill, and whatever else it takes to prevent it.

Sorry about the rant, but we are up against this crap all over again. I just hope we are up to the task.

[Sandpiper]

6. Wally World is hellbent on shoving Super Centers down our throats

Not withstanding the fact that Californians have resoundingly told them, time after time, that we don't want the damn things!

[George_S]

7. Still ahead as of the 13th

FIELD POLL
3 out of 4 health care measures doing well
Prop. 72 still ahead in new poll despite governor's opposition

John M. Hubbell, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau

Tuesday, October 12, 2004


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Sacramento -- Voters continue to favor three of four health-related ballot propositions on November's ballot, including one opposed by business groups and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that seeks to protect working Californians' access to health care, a Field Poll released today shows.

The telephone poll of 549 likely voters shows Proposition 61, which seeks to allow a bond sale to fund construction and renovation of children's hospitals, is favored 46 percent to 35 percent, with 19 percent undecided.

Proposition 63 -- which would tax the incomes of California's millionaires 1 percent to finance expanded mental health care -- enjoyed the largest degree of support: 57 percent in favor to 31 percent against and only 12 percent undecided.

But Proposition 67, which would use a new telephone surcharge to pay for improvements in emergency medical care, is opposed 46 percent to 37 percent, with 17 percent undecided.

Proposition 72 -- which would affirm landmark health care legislation passed in the Legislature last year -- continues to get favorable ratings, with 45 percent "for,'' 29 percent "against'' and 26 percent undecided. August also saw similar numbers.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/12/BAGHH97HSM1.DTL

Is is these kinds of issues that really got Rose Bird booted out of the Supreme Court.