Menard, Inc donates to Republicans

[Zookeeper]

So, I've been matronizing Menard's, hoping they weren't as Rethuglican as Home Depot. Unfortunately, after some research, this is what I've found:

-Menard, Inc. is owned by Billionaire John R. Menard.
-$10,000 to the RNC, 10/27/00
-$10,000 to the RNC, 8/30/00
-$2,000 to Bush, 6/30/03
-$2,000 to Norm Coleman, 4/26/02
-$2,000 to Norm Coleman, 5/10/02
-$500 to Gil Gutknecht, 7/10/00
-$1,000 to Mark Green(R-Wisc), 3/24/04
-$500 to Richard Shelby (R-Alabama, Mr. Flat Tax)6/13/03
-$500 to D. Stenberg (Neb. Att. General, anti-choice)2003
-$1,000 to Rod Grams, 12/99
-Soft money contributions: 0% to Democrats; $10,000-RNC-10/27/00

To his credit, he has donated $3,000 since 2000 to Ron Kind, a Dem in Western Wisconsin.

I also came across an interesting article in Forbes:

"Menard is so hands-on that in 1997...he personally carted bags of chromium and arsenic-tainted incinerator ash home from a company plant in his pick-up truck and then put them out with his household trash. He and Menard, Inc. paid $1.15 million in fines."
<snip>
"...An ex-manager of a Menards store, now suing for age discrimination, had a contract containing such provisions as a 60% cut in pay should his store be unionized, a $100 cut in his bonus if a "mystery shopper" sent by Menard's security was able to shoplift $1,000 in goods and dozens of fines for "performance infractions," e.g., $5 if employee's lunchboxes weren't inspected when they left."

He has also been investigated by the IRS for tax fraud.

http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2003/1006/048.html

He still may be the lesser of two evils if there is a choice to be made between Menard's and Home Depot. I know that my local Ace Hardware store also contributes to Republicans.

Edited for new link

[RevCheesehead]

1. Menard's is based in Eau Claire (WI)..

This may explain his support of Ron Kind - hedging his bets.

What I find interesting is there apparently was no donation made to Feingold or Michels. What's up with that?

Mark Green (my rebup. rep) has a formidable war-chest which was virtually untouched in this election. Some folks around here (GB area) are throwing out his name as a possible repub. nominee to run against Herb Kohl.

[Zookeeper]

4. He does seem kind of frugal, considering...

that (according to Forbes), he is the richest person in Wisconsin, #51 on the Richest American list and #136 on the World's Richest People roster.

$500., $1,000., is chicken-feed to a billionaire.

[MnFats]

2. Aw geez, can't go there any more. And I once met the "Menard's Guy!"

that white-haired old guy that was so enthusiastic in their tv commercials? I met him once at a christmas party. He was just like he is in those commercials.
"HI! How ARE you! Have a MERRY Christmas!!!"

wonder if he's still alive?

[Zookeeper]

3. I've heard that he's ill...

He tried to retire, then they talked him into returning for a while, but I haven't seen (or heard) him in a commercial for a while. They do still use his image in their print ads.

[no name no slogan]

6. His wife was terminally ill

...so I know he took some time off before she passed away. Although he did come back...

[Krupskaya]

5. The Menards Guy reads Bibles

...on tape on his off-time. That's what he was going to do when he retired.

Also, it doesn't surprise me at all the Menards supports Republicans, since it was founded by a scab selling second tools out of the back of his truck.

[Carolab]

7. Menards, Lowes, Home Depot

they're all bad

Get your supplies at local hardware stores and lumber yards.

Does anyone know anything about Ace?

[northernsoul]

10. I think Aces are all independently owned franchises

I always hit the Grand Ave. Ace before I go anywhere else.

[northernsoul]

8. I've never bought anything from Menards that didn't break

seriously, I three hedge-clippers in row that I bought from Menards have the handle break off within 15 minutes of use.

I don't even want to think about the POS garage door opener I bought from them once.

Actually, I did buy some mulch from them and I guess it didn't kill any plants, maybe that's the one thing from there that didn't completely F@!#$ upon use.

[Zookeeper]

9. Yes, very cheap tools...

I'm much more mechanically-inclined than Mr. Zookeeper so, I've been purchasing tools for years now. When Home Depot first opened in this area, I stopped going to Menards. Then, when I found out H.D. are big rethuglican donors, I went back to Menards.

Now...??? I suppose I have enough tools to last a while. Maybe I'll finish restoring a couple of old hand planes I have.

[Lindacooks]

11. Menards is awful.

When we built our house, they totally screwed up the roof trusses. It cost us another $2,000 for our carpenter to make it right. We refused to pay Menards until they either fixed the trusses or admitted their error, they put a lien on our house, which was paid (dead last) when we got our mortgage. I hate their fucking guts.

They act like they are experts, but there are signs all over the place saying their employees AREN'T experts and their opinions and advice aren't binding.

DO NOT SHOP THERE.

[mzmolly]

12. Yuk! That leaves us without a place to shop for building supplies b/c

Home Depot is just as bad.