Several days ago I received an email from my brother asking me to join a boycott of Target Corp, sponsored by MoveOn.org.  The boycott is being called for because of Target Corporations recent corporate campaign donation, to a far right leaning, anti-gay candidate.  Candidate T0m Emmer was given $150,000 by Target Corp, his campaign was also supported by another locally based Big-Box retailer: Best Buy Corp donated $100,000 to Emmer.

Earlier this year, in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Supreme Court case – the highest court in the country ruled that it was o.k. for large corporations to donate “small” amounts of corporate dollars to campaigns.  This ruling opens the door for large corporate interests to give to candidates that will be friendly towards their specific interests and policies.

In an article printed in the LA Times, Move On.Org’s Executive Director, Justin Ruben, states that many other large corporate interests are watching Target and Best Buy, who have taken the lead in donating to a campaign.  Other corporate interests are waiting to see what the consumer backlash toward corporate campaign contributions really amounts to, before they make a contribution.

Personally I have long-held a boycott of Walmart Corp – for many reasons, that are far to numerous to be summed up in this space.  I have instead opted to give a lot of my hard earned dollars to Target, who I saw as a more local (MN based), friendlier alternative, to Walmart.  Unfortunately, in light of this recent news – I cannot support Target Corp. any longer either.  I have passionately written about speaking with our dollars, the only voice that is recognized by big-business in this country.  I will now be passionately seeking alternative, local businesses, to supply the products that I may have otherwise purchased at a nearby Target or Best Buy store.

I will not insist anyone else join me – but, I will ask that you at least consider the evidence presented here and make a decision for yourself.  Consider the consequences of turning a cheek and looking the other way…this corporate money will be used in elections in every corner of the U.S., to encourage candidates to support policies that support the corporate interests…further deteriorating the small business marketplace that is struggling to keep a float in this country.

Additionally, I would like to state that the candidate they chose to back was a poor choice (in my opinion) – but I do not support corporate interests donating to campaigns…no matter who the candidate is, or what they stand for.

Stay tuned for updates.  I will try to post some friendly, local alternatives to the big box retailers.

From The Washington Post: Another related article.