Who Loves Ya, Baby?

Jim Hightower has reported on which corporations funded whom in the last election (The Logo, part I, Hightower Lowdown, March 2007).

The Federal Election Commission revealed "a record level of corporate money poured into the corrupt system, with the preponderance of it flowing into the coffers of Republican candidates." No surprise there.

Drug makers "got Congress to hand them a multibillion-dollar boondoggle with passage of a Medicare drug bill that was essentially written by their lobbyists."

"Computer Giants have had Congress holding open the visa gates so they could bring tens of thousands of low-wage engineers and programmers from India and elsewhere to the U.S., knocking down the pay scale for these middle-class jobs."

"Meat processors fought off consumers demanding action on mad-cow disease, even getting Congress to stall the simple requirement that food products have country-of-origin labeling."

He offers a Lowdowner's Shopping Guide to the various groups. Some arbitrary picks:

--It's not so surprising when the company that makes the likes of Cheez Whiz and Velveeta, Oreos, Shake 'n Bake and Miracle Whip supports the Reps. (Think Talladega Nights.) But that same corporation (Altria) also manufactures Tazo tea, Seattle's Best and Starbucks. 65% of their $1,264,435 contribution went to the GOP.

--You may think you're being bohemian by drinking Blue Moon Wheat Lager, but really, you're paying Coors, who's paying 83% of their $168,597 campaign contribution to the GOP.

--Your Metamucil may just have just have the opposite effect once you learn that 81% of Proctor & Gambles' contribution--$356,674--goes to the GOP.

--And yogurt, organic at that. You think you're doing the right thing here, but Horizon Organic and Organic Cow of Vermont are owned by Dean Foods, which contributed 71% of their $523,400 to the GOP.

You can feel good shopping at GAP, Costco and Barnes & Noble; not so good at Limited brands, J C Penny and Publix.

Well, if you're hardcore, you'd carry the list with you. Of course there are some companies that everyone knows simply do good--they are green, and they contribute to the campaigns of progressive candidates. One that comes to mind as I'm wanting an indulgence right about now is Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.

And don't say Ranger never did nothin' for you: Ben & Jerry's has one day each year where ice cream cones are free--as many as you can eat. That day this year is April 20th. Who loves ya, baby?

--Lisa