Apparently, both Yahoo and SBC Communications contribute big bucks to the Republican party. This news from the newly-redesigned BuyBlue.org, which I’ve championed before.
Shocked, I immediately killed the Yahoo toolbar from MSExplorer. Felt a little proud and self-righteous, then I remembered — My DSL service is powered by SBC Yahoo. My emails are all Yahoo and SBC too. Damn.
Unfortunately, I’m locked into a year-long contract, which will end March 2006. At that point, I’ll need to look into other high-speed internet options, then convince my roommates that a switch is necessary. This may be tricky, as one of them is a registered Republican. We’re not sure why — She never talks about it, doesn’t wanna talk about it, doesn’t seem to think about it. I don’t think she votes, which is sort of fortunate.
Anyway — That’s not until six months from now. So I kept browsing the utilities section of BuyBlue.org, and discovered that T-mobile, my cell service provider, is red too. That contract doesn’t expire until September 2006. Yikes.
Some good news — Working Assets, which most of you’ve prolly heard of, now offers wireless phone service in addition to long distance. So once I get out of the T-Mobile contract a year from now, I know where to go.
In the meantime, I’m thinking of sending both SBC Yahoo and T-Mobile monthly letters stating my intent to defect unless they change their ways. Seriously, I send these guys a combined $100 or so a month , which is a big chunk of change, considering that I send Environment California only $10 a month.
Think my utils will convert to blue?
No surprises on the list really. Big business giving generously to the party of big business. I was surprised at how many entries listed no or small contributions. These, I think, are the most responsible corporations - those that gain little to nothing from either party’s platform. One in particular caught my eye: Toys ‘R Us. There’s no question that free trade with China supports this company’s bottom line, yet they’ve contributed nothing against Democrats, the party more likely to press for retaliation against Chinese imports of, well, toys and stuff. Dell benefits enormously too from China trade, and we know what party they’re against.
Comment by Fletch — September 11, 2005 @ 3:58 pm
I think lately I’ve become more of an optimist, but perhaps that’s warping my sense of reality. I’d like to think that there are companies out there founded by bright-eyed optimists who care about the bottom line, but care more about environmental and social issues. Yes, we have a few of these, but I’d like to think the number of these are increasing. But I guess maybe they aren’t so much…
Comment by Siel — September 12, 2005 @ 12:46 pm
It would be nice if corporate America could police itself, instead of the government watching over them so much. A byproduct of my economics training is that I see only the worst in corporate behavior, not the few who do good by their workers, the environment, etc. So, yeah, perhaps I could shed a little of my jaded cynicism.
Comment by Fletch — September 12, 2005 @ 8:55 pm
My shrink and I used to have long conversations about the difference between being realistic and being cynical. My opinion at the time — There is no difference. Her opinion — What’s important is whether or not that belief is “helpful” –
Comment by Siel — September 13, 2005 @ 6:08 pm
Hmm… I’ll try to remember that. Given that I surround myself a good part of the day with crazy professors (one who has those Nicholson eyes), it’s only a matter of time before I end up on the couch too.
Comment by Fletch — September 14, 2005 @ 6:04 pm