Costco chairman, CEO give $95,000 each to defeat Bush

The News Tribune - Tacoma, WA ^ | 02/05/05 | Bloomberg

[ARA]

I just thought everyone should see this article...

[ARA]

I just tore up my membership card...

[petitfour]

We didn't renew ours when it came due. It was inconvenient to shop at the one near us. Now, I'm glad.

[joesnuffy]

Wallmart/Sams supports the Clintonista's...now Costco as well...
they must be planning on moving to Europe cashing in on China's new move

[ambrose]

ISSAQUAH: Costco chairman, CEO give $95,000 each to defeat Bush

Bloomberg News

Costco Wholesale Corp. Chairman Jeffrey Brotman and CEO James Sinegal gave $95,000 each in December to a political fund that aims to defeat President Bush in the November election, records filed with the Internal Revenue Service show.

Brotman and Sinegal were among 25 people who gave a combined $7.9 million to the Joint Victory Campaign 2004 fund, which seeks to "change the course of the country away from the Bush administration's radical agenda" and elect "progressive" candidates, according to the fund's Web site.

The loss of 2 million jobs during the Bush administration, the decision to invade Iraq, and cuts in social programs led him to donate to the fund, said Sinegal of the Issaquah-based discount stores.

(Published 12:01AM, February 4th, 2004)

[4mycountry]

What's a Costco?

[petitfour]

Notice how effective CFR is.

[joesnuffy]

Maybe they will also give to the Repubs...covering all their bases

[Pikamax]

http://www.costco.com/frameset.asp?trg=info%2Fcostconews%2Fcontacts%2Easp&log=


We at Costco welcome your feedback. Here's how you can contact us:

Online Member Suggestion Form:
Costco Online Member Comments and Suggestions


Member Services:
800-774-2678


Web address:
http://www.costco.com


Costco's corporate mailing address is:
PO Box 34331
Seattle, WA 98124

Costco's corporate offices are located at:
999 Lake Drive
Issaquah, WA 98027

[Cinnamon Girl]

Oh they are TOAST. Almost everyone I know belongs to Costco. NOT ANYMORE.

[WayneM]

Don't tear up your card! Costco will refund membership fees at any time if your are unhappy.

It would be much better to go tell them you are unhappy, tell them why, and ask for your refund. I'm sure they track the reasons why people are unhappy, and if enough people do this, it's bound to get noticed.

[Prime Choice]

Aw GEEZ! That blows my feel-good at saving money.

Are there any large-scale discount stores that support Conservative/Republican causes and candidates?

[ARA]

Thanks... Didn't know if the mayor would get upset if we posted the article since it originated with Bloomberg...

[Cogadh na Sith]

They've got the couscous and hummus market to look out for...

[Still Thinking]

This is disappointing. I've always enjoyed shopping there and associated Costco with an ethic of self-reliance, hardly a Democratic plank.

[Baynative]

Notice how effective CFR is.

Everyone who bought John McCain's "straight talk", raise your hand!

[iceskater]

Oh dangitall.
I can't stand Wal-Mart so now what am I going to do??? This stinks.

[jimbo123]

Costco Wholesale Corp
999 Lake Drive
Issaquah, WA 98027
Phone: (425) 313-8100
Fax: (425) 313-8114

http://www.washington.edu/regents/brotman.html

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/02_38/b3800004.htm

[Recovering_Democrat]

suggested TEXT FOR A NOTE (EDIT as appropriate for your situation:)

PLEASE pass the word along to corporate that Mr. Brotman and Mr. Sinegal JUST LOST ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE BUSINESS WITH MY FAMILY.

I won't spend $95,000 per year in Costco-related purchases....but over time, I will. None of it will go to Costco.

You can also let them know President Bush is doing a fine job, and those of us who believe he is leading us in a war against terrorism believe he is a better Commander in Chief than any of his opponents.

Truly,
*****

COSTCO EMAIL FORM FROM COSTCO.COM

[ErnBatavia]

Costco will refund membership fees at any time if your are unhappy.

Then they've changed their policy...when we used to have a card, I requested a one month extension (knowing I was gonna let it lapse) due to the fact that our Costco had been closed for over a month since the whole back collapsed in the Northridge earthquake.

Request denied. They pretended they didn't even know the store had been closed.

[mountaineer]

WalMart supports Clintonistas?

WALTON, JIM BENTONVILLE, AR 72712
NRCCC - NON FEDERAL #1
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 5000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 10000.00 98032954654
03/20/1998 15000.00 98032954654
03/31/2000 20000.00 20035463220
03/31/2000 55000.00 20035463220
NRSC - NONFEDERAL
02/26/1999 6000.00 99020041765

WALTON, JIM BENTONVILLE, AR 72712 ARVEST BANK GROUP INC
RNC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
10/19/2000 50000.00 20036566048

WALTON, JIM C BENTONVILLE, AR 72712
NRSC - NONFEDERAL 03/20/1998 75000.00 98020102548

WALTON, JIM MR. BENTONVILLE, AR 72712 ARVEST BANK GROUP INC.
WALTON, JOHN BENTONVILLE, AR 72712
NRSC - NONFEDERAL 09/03/1998 3000.00 98020241146

WALTON, JOHN MR. JACKSON, WY 83001 WALMART
RNC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE 08/14/2002 100000.00 22991862264

WALTON, JOHN T BENTONVILLE, AR 72712 WAL - MART
RNC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE 07/17/2000 100000.00 20035953905

WALTON, LYNNE BENTONVILLE, AR 72712 ARVEST BANK GROUP INC
RNC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE 10/19/2000 50000.00 20036566048

Source: FEC

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Card holders since 1986, no more renewals for this hosehold and they will know about it in no uncertain terms.

[Billthedrill]

Well, if it's a personal contribution the guy has a perfect right to hold silly political opinions, but I gotta wonder at people who have coin sufficient to throw 95 large at a political campaign. And I have to thank Heaven and Mr. McCain for Campaign Finance Reform, protecting me from the monied interests.

[TheBigB]

Steve Burd, the CEO of Safeway, Inc., gave $9,200 to W.

[ElkGroveDan]

And I have to thank Heaven and Mr. McCain for Campaign Finance Reform, protecting me from the monied interests.

Your thanks is misdirected. Thanks for the evil anti-First Amendment so-called Campaign Finance Reform, should be directed toward the OTHER place.

[The G Man]

Just moved to Cincinnati, OH and was actually going to join Costco this weekend. After this though, well, SAMS CLUB HERE I COME!!

Oh. And I was sure to email Costco to let them know too.

[Billthedrill]

LOL - too right. Oh, well, next time I have 95 grand laying around I'll just send it right off myself...

[xrp]

Wallmart/Sams supports the Clintonista's

Wal-Mart widens political reach, giving primarily to GOP

Maybe you should stop posting lies about Wal-Mart.

[NorseWood]

We have been crossing the picket lines here in California to buy our groceries at the local Ralphs and Vons grocery stores, and occasionally going out of our way to shop at Costco . . . no more!

[Aggie Mama]

Sigh. I love Costco.

[Morgan in Denver]

Us too. My wife and I considered joining Costco because we have friends who belong and they like it. Well, guess I will have a few choice words for my Costco friends now.

Oh yeah, I sent an email telling them to the address posted. Doubt it will do any good but it sure did make me feel good.

[Montfort]

Yes. Costco is out.

Remember K-Mart, which stood by Rosie O'Donnell when it would never have stood by so controversial a Republican.

[RightField]

Check out the spokespersons for Costco's scholarship program.

[Guillermo]

"Cuts in social programs?"

LOL, are we talking about the same Bush?

[Ragirl]

My membership card is now in many little pieces.....never again will I shop there.

[petitfour]

Ewwwww. Why didn't you warn us!!!!!!!

[mountaineer]

they are a pretty sorry bunch who have accomplished little other than boozing it up and spending the old man's dough.

Perhaps, but at least they didn't spend it on Bill Clinton's agenda.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

As stated, wife and I members since 1987. Just got off phone with customer service, canceled and demanded refund. $45.00 bucks was credited to the debit card.

The customer rep was more upset than I was, he had no idea and was taken aback. Bye, the bye, I requested that the phone conversation was monitored and recorded and he assured me it would be done.

So cancel out members, pass the word to friends and family. We can make them hurt on this one.

[Sloth]

Democrats = Party of the Rich

[over3Owithabrain]

We seem to be going to Sears a lot more - basic no frills store, and as far as I know, no anti-American or anti-Bush positions. They support our troops too.

I do my warehousing at Sam's - will never do Costcommie now.

[AuH2ORepublican]

[Thanks for the boilerplate; I adapted it a bit to my situation and e-mailed it to Costco:]

Please pass the word along to the corporate department that, because of the donation of $95,000 by each of Mr. Brotman and Mr. Sinegal to a political fund that aims to defeat President Bush in the November election, Costco has forfeited any chance of getting business from my family and me.

I will not spend $95,000 per year in Costco-related purchases...but over time, I will. None of it will go to Costco. My family and I were considering switching from Sam's Club to Costco, but will not subsidize a campaign of lies against President Bush.

You can also let them know President Bush is doing a fine job, and those of us who believe he is leading us in a war against terrorism believe he is a better Commander in Chief than any of his opponents.

[Morgan in Denver]

One does get a mental image of what her message was, and what she was having them do for show and tell......

[RightField]

Sorry .... I forgot the Barf Alert!

[Kennesaw]

Crap!! I really love Costco. I don't think I can give it up!! The least I can do is drop a huge glass jar of something every time I go in. :-)

[Minuteman23]

I guess I know where I'm not gonna be shopping anymore. What's good for Soros ....

[anniegetyourgun]

Note to self: put in sell order....

[eureka!]

Based on the reaction on this thread, methinks this could be a Dixie Chicks redux if word gets out--and it will. Hehehehe.....

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Call them at the 800 number at posting further on down, give them your old memebership number and tell them you were going to re-new, but not now thanks to their actions. Ask that the conversation be monitored and recorded as I did at post #38

[Bobby Chang]

But here's the catcher:

1. Wal-Mart elected Hillary Clinton to their Board of Directors, AND she left only because of Bill's election as President.

2. The Pride Foundation owns a considerable stake in the firm and has hijacked corporate policy.

Both Sam's and Costco have hijackings of Seattle written across their firms.

If you're a shareholder of COST, then file a formal complaint with the company.

[RightField]

I just passed the article on to the editor of the San Diego Republican newsletter. I'm sure it will get some visibility from there!

Glad to do my part . . .