New Documents Catch DNC Accepting Money from Anti-Progressive Companies

[Scuba]

http://www.nationofchange.org/news/2016/07/03/new-documents-catch-dnc-accepting-money-anti-progressive-companies/

The new documents (which can be viewed here) show that Debbie Wasserman Shultz and other key DNC members sought support from corporations with questionable, and definitely anti-progressive, values.

One of the most notable companies the DNC asked for money from was Walmart, a hugely anti-union corporation and the target of many progressive attacks. Then, in what could arguably be a huge conflict on interest, the DNC asked for (and received) a donation from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, one of the unions that is actually leading and sponsoring strikes at Walmart stores to protest the company’s opposition to higher minimum wage.

In another ironic situation the DNC asks for money from the National Restaurant Association PAC and from McDonald’s. Both of these are active participants in the fight against a $15 minimum wage, which the DNC has had as part of their official platform for almost a year and which was officially approved by the Platform Drafting Committees last weekend.

Another example is the DNC receiving funding from corporations like Verizon and Comcast, even though they also ask for donations from Communications Workers of America (CWA). The CWA is actively fighting against Verizon, Comcast, and many other companies for better wages and working conditions.

Well Debbie, which side are you on?

[CrispyQ]

1. They are trying to serve two masters & it's not working. -nt

[HumanityExperiment]

2. The slide right of DEM party continues...

n/t

[HereSince1628]

55. Politics, like nature, abhors a vaccumm.

Trump has destroyed the r's. After months of possibility, it appears the Libertarians cannot occupy that space. At least temporarily it's a possession of democratic right, as shown by the the increasing number of high profile republican refugees pledging support for HRC.

[woolldog]

3. Oh the horror!

She sought money from corporations that aren't "progressive"? So what?

[Scuba]

7. Are you so naive that you think these companies don't expect some return on their investment?

[randome]

8. Like the United Food and Commercial Workers Union?

By this logic, every solicitation of funds means the organization is corrupt. How can the DNC possibly 'satisfy' McDonald's and the Workers Union at the same time?

They can't. Therefore they will choose one over the other and I think it's fair to say which side that will be. I understand the apparent conflict but I also understand it to be ridiculous to think the DNC will actively work against the minimum wage. That's just not going to happen.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[Scuba]

9. You describe the paradox quite well, but seem to conclude the party leaders will stiff Micky D.

On that, we disagree.

"If the Democratic Party would fight as hard for the Working Class as the Republican Party fights for the Ruling Class, the Republicans would be a powerless minority party within a few election cycles.

The Democratic Party knows this, the Republican Party knows this, Anonymous

[randome]

10. I agree we should be more direct in what we stand for. And I don't like DWS, either.

But with the GOP self-destructing, it may be seen as prudent to be ready to pick up the pieces before someone else does. I don't know, but this doesn't particularly bother me that much. And doesn't Wal-Mart always donate to both parties? I would bet they do.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[Scuba]

11. Debbie is actively seeking money from WalMart and others despite being shown in primary season ...

... that taking corporate cash is unnecessary.


I want a Democratic Party that is beholden to all of us, not just big corporations.

[Sheepshank]

19. So you "know" for a fact, she will suddenly ignore the money and endorsements of unions?

always shooting for the lowest denominator isn't actually very credible.

[fun n serious]

23. Are you suggestion quid pro quo?

I think your insinuation needs to be proven. Some presidential candidates say they're against fracking but invest in fracking...

[randome]

27. And another: Elizabeth Warren is against superdelegates yet she is one.

It is possible to live one's life outside of pure abstract thought.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[John Poet]

43. So- if they GET the money, then they will seek to KEEP the money....

and that may require throwing party principles under the bus.

If such corps just want to hand over money to the party, that's one thing, but actively seeking their support is another.

[My Good Babushka]

4. To whomever wished to hide this post

we cannot hide what is the struggle for the future of the democratic party. Some think it is time to embrace a pragmatic, free trade, corporate-friendly future, while others wish for a progressive, socialist platform. It doesn't do anyone any good to hide these disagreements. It is not slanderous to report what is actually happening. The people representing our party are not idols, and they will change, as the party will change.

[Scuba]

6. Thank you.

[BobbyDrake]

5. It's good that the DNC sees the world in shades of grey, because that's how it really is.

This whole "White hats vs black hats" mythology is very juvenile, and not at all how the real world works.

Verizon, isn't that the carrier that Bernie Sanders' campaign uses? So he shows up to picket the same company his campaign hired? Seems odd, doesn't it? Or maybe his campaign realized that imposing a litmus test on service providers would leave them without services, and adapted accordingly?

[Triana]

12. I don't think it's good when anybody can't walk their talk. Entity or individual. n/t

[BobbyDrake]

13. Sorry, we're fresh out of Jesuses. Just us lowly mortals who make human mistakes left around here.

I don't think it's good when people expect perfection in a world where it doesn't exist. But that's just my opinion.

[Blue_Adept]

16. Agreed

THe black and white world that some want to view when it comes to politics is why things are as terrible as they are now.

[fun n serious]

14. Why does it matter where the money comes from

if no quid pro quo has ever been proven? I don't know why people insist on railing agianst our party on DU.

[Scuba]

15. It was proven during the primary that a campaign could be financed without corporate money.

So why go after it?

And the quid pro quo doesn't need to be proven. Do you think WalMart is in favor of a $15 minimum wage?

[fun n serious]

20. Quid pro quo does need to be proven.

Why rail against dems?

[Scuba]

21. It's called a "conflict of interest." I'll rail against Dems anytime they act like Republicans.

[Scuba]

28. That's quite a stretch. Careful you don't pull a hamstring.

[fun n serious]

31. Stretch how?

Hmmm?

[Sheepshank]

29. Is it a conflict when money comes for Planned Parenthood or the Unions?

your weak argument that Hillary and the DNC will always compromise Party values for one group...rather that assert they will support the Party Values for other progressive groups, shows your own biases. The fact that you go on and on and respond to so many posts with the same tired argument show how extremely biased you are.

[casperthegm]

59. Thank you

Good lord. It's like you have to be a cheerleader around here and the DNC can do no wrong. What happened to open discussions and pointing out policies that look eerily similar to those of the gop?

[Scuba]

61. They get alerted on three times. First alert failed, second and third overturned by mods.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512236414

[geek tragedy]

34. a successful one can't. nt

[bvar22]

35. As long as it can't be "proven",

you are just fine with the wink, wink?

I don't believe anybody gives money to a politician without an expectation of a return on the investment....that applies to individuals as well as corporations.

I expected and received a return on my investment in Senator Sanders.
He pushed Hillary way to the Left ( or at least made her pretend to to do so), and projected major issues into the national spotlight that would have been ignored had he not run.
I am satisfied that I got my money's worth.

[bettyellen]

42. So you think all politicians just do what all their contributors want? Aside from being impossible

You really thinks Sanders is just pandering for dollars? Glad I don't believe such nonsense.

[bvar22]

47. That is one, really stinky Strawman.

I've been watching Sanders for years.
I KNOW where he stands on the issues,
and am willing to send him money in order to project these issues into the National Debate as he has successfully achieved.
There was no "pandering" from the Sanders campaign.
(You should look that word up in your dictionary).
Sanders is one of the most, if not THE most consistent member of our government,
and calls us to a BETTER self and BETTER nation for EVERYBODY.

Here, I'll help you out:

Pander:
"gratify or indulge (an immoral or distasteful desire, need, or habit or a person with such a desire, etc.)".

[bettyellen]

54. You just claimed you have a quid pro quo relationship with Sanders, so get over it.

It was a silly analogy to try and prove a point - or accusation- that you really can't.
Most big corporations give to every viale
candidate- does not make all the candidates the same. Wall Street is such a small percentage it's bullshit to say it's a big thing. Sorry but the purity test is not something Sanders passes either hiding his tax returns. Nope.

[Sheepshank]

17. The immediate take away?...........apparently they are all against Trump lol

The assumption that Hillary or the DNC will suddenly become anti Union because of a sprinkling of dollars from one organization and suddenly ignore the Party platform and all the big Union money and endorsements, is laughable.

The reality is that banks donate to every candidate, large corporation donate to all POTUS candidates. They are trying to hedge their bets. Even Bernie got donations from the very financial institutions he railed on about.

Seriously...those anti Hillarians need to find something a tad more credible on which to hang their tin foil hats.

[MineralMan]

18. So? Presidential campaigns seek and get donations from

just about everyone. Most corporate donors donate to both parties' candidates through PACs. It's a matter of covering all bases. Individual donations, which are limited in their amounts, come from individuals working for corporations and other entities.

Anyone who is surprised at these contributions have not followed political campaigns. Business as usual.

DWS is on the side of getting Democrats elected. So is DU, ostensibly. So am I. Anything that helps toward that goal is welcome, as far as I'm concerned.

[Scuba]

22. If DWS is on the side of getting Democrats elected she's really, really awful at it.

[MaggieD]

26. Well, she's doing better than Bernie is

At least she is trying.

[tonyt53]

30. Say what??? Hillary has helped raise millions for Democrats running for office this cycle.

Who has Sanders helped financially? Name them all please, it won't take long or lots of letters. Sanders backed three people running for House seats. I have no idea if he raised funds for them. He backed the Senate campaign for a guy in WI, but did not provide and financial backing and that guy jumped ship from Sanders pretty quickly. Hillary will represent the Democratic Party in November, and Sanders will go back to the Senate and get some committee seat on some committee that does nothing.

[MaggieD]

25. Sad

It's such a shame that DU is still being used to bash Democrats and the party. SMH.

[DemonGoddess]

37. ^^^This!!!

[Kelvin Mace]

53. Curious how simply sticking a "D" after your name

renders a person immune to criticism.

[SharonClark]

32. anti-progressive corporations?

I thought the meme is that all corporations are bad, bad, bad. how can there be any good corporations?
beside, if they want to give the Dems money for the convention, so they look better, that is fine with me.

I'm tired of the constant state of outrage from the holier-than-thou, self-righteous, leftist sites. They hurt their own cause.

[geek tragedy]

33. Which side are you on, Clinton or Trump? nt

[Scuba]

36. I'm on the side of the American people.

[geek tragedy]

38. Refusal to answer often means the answer is very clear nt

[MaggieD]

39. In that case you will join me in asking Bernie who owns Old Towne Media

And who is benefiting from the percentage on the ad buys. Yes?

[SharonClark]

41. Wow, you really don't know how self-righteous you sound, do you?

[John Poet]

44. So who are the "purity bullies" now?

Planning to vote for the party's nominee doesn't mean blanket approval of everything the party is doing. Far from it. Nor should anyone be subjected to such insulting questions.

Posts like that remind me of some mid-20th century regimes where people were required to produce "papers" all the time...

[geek tragedy]

45. People who argue Trump is on Clinton's left can be safely assumed

to not be respectful of the TOS. Especially if they post at that Just Plain Ridiculous" hate site, which is objectively a pro-Trump website.

[John Poet]

46. A lot of people backing the presumptive nominee

seem to be disrespectful of the new TOS, as much or more than some other people.

[MohRokTah]

40. .

[Octafish]

49. You find the OP funny?

Why?

[Octafish]

48. Thanks for the heads-up, Scuba!

We need to talk heh more about campaign finance reform. Yeah, that's it. Until next election cycle. In the meantime, oh well, we gotta dance with them that brought us. I mean bought us.

[NYC Liberal]

50. Good!!! Take their money and then use it to fight for our progressive nominee and platform.

[Kelvin Mace]

51. I will enjoy reading how this explained away

by the usual apologists.

[arcane1]

52. They're just knowingly funding their own demise. Yeah, that's it.

They expect nothing in return except tougher regulations

[hobbit709]

56. the only thing they listen to is money. All else gets lip service at best.

[seabeyond]

57. An healthy economy behooves the corporate world. Stability is their friend. Ya they pay for somethin

with a Clinton win. Market stability. With Trump, they have chaos and they know it. They are going to back Clinton. That is a good thing. That makes her and her campaign stronger.

[Demsrule86]

58. As we live under United and Dems have to get their people elected...what choice is there? nt

[NorthCarolina]

60. Let me show you my shocked face...

[MyNameGoesHere]

62. That's great. So when Senator Sanders (I) Vermont goes back to his elected job

he can use his enormous power to flood the congress with a plethora of bills for campaign finance reform. Just like he has been doing for the last 30 years. Senator it's time to go to work.