Would It Help Washington Get to WORK?

Updated on August 16, 2011
D.P. asks from Beverly Hills, CA
9 answers

Starbucks Corp Chief Executive Howard Schultz is winning support for his call to withhold political contributions from U.S. lawmakers until they strike a "fair, bipartisan" deal on the country's debt, revenue and spending.

Apparently the heads of the NYSE and NASDAQ think enough of this idea to forward his letter & idea to the heads of all of their publicly traded companies.

Would this have impact do you think?

Here's a link if you haven't read it:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/15/starbucks-polit...

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

QueenOfTheCastle--I agree, but I'm sure major corporation withholding would have a little more "bang" than private contributions!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from Tampa on

I think that this is a great idea. Frankly, I am fed up with politics...and I do mean both parties. I am registered as an independent, but tend to lean more towards the democratic side. However, I think that Congress needs to be fired at this point. They are more interested in arguing with each other than coming to a resolution to benefit the American people. What the hell happened to a government FOR THE PEOPLE? I think that Congress has forgotten this and has become completely ineffective.

8 moms found this helpful

More Answers

S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I think if enough big corporations got on board and stuck to their guns it would help. I really like this article.

6 moms found this helpful

K.J.

answers from Chicago on

Private citizens should withhold their dollars as well. I stopped contributing to any candidate that I can't be proud of, and instead have been diverting those dollars to local charities.

6 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I think this is a great idea. I personally believe that altruistic endeavors like this and Warren Buffet's article are the ONLY thing that is going to get our country out of the inevitable landslide it is now in. (That and campaign finance reform.) Washington is too mired in talking points and slogans and self-interest and black and white thinking (No new taxes!) at this point to actually achieve anything

4 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I don't think it will work because I just don't get the feel either side sees their own actions for what they are. I also don't think they know what we really want because of this. It is sorta like when you tell your kid to clean their room for the first time, they know what the end result is supposed to look like but haven't a clue how to get there. :p Telling them you will take away their TV privileges has little effect because they just don't know how to do it.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I would just be happy if the politicians would get to work and stop dragging the average joe fed along on their shenanigans. Furlough days? Not for "key players". If money talks, lack of money should talk, too. However, they do like to play games. Make it look like they didn't vote for something but by other actions they are really pushing their agenda through anyway. Sigh.

3 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Businesses and unions should NOT be able to contribute to campaigns....but that's my opinion....just like lobbyists - they use money to influence the people who are SUPPOSED to be there for WE THE PEOPLE...

I would LOVE to think this would have an impact...but, I think it's a bunch of smoke...words...ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS....

When they start putting their money where their mouth is and withholding from the "freaks" (that's the nice word to use for them) on the Hill....THEN I'll believe it...until then - it's just supposition and words...empty threats...

WE THE PEOPLE should take away our elected officials pay as well as their perks....maybe if they were there for the right reasons - then we wouldn't have this problem...but that's my 2 cents...

actions speak louder than words...put your money where your mouth is.

2 moms found this helpful

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

I had not heard about it until this morning...right here.

Coming from the Starbucks Capital of the planet...This idea makes me very excited. and proud that ALL of my family has worked for Howard. this is the sort of thinking out of Corporate America we could really use right now. And Howard is someone who is great at fixing something that is no longer working.

Howard was able to figure out how to get the daily coffee business moving after being hit hard by the recession because customer's couldnt afford their morning Latte three times a day, like they used too.

I think if we could roll something out like this we will see the playing field change ALOT.

I dont think we are giving the circus performers credit though, They will fight this tooth and nail. They believe the Corporations that are Job creators....belong in politics. They are the soul of Politics. they will fight against it because it is CHANGE they refuse to agree with.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.S.

answers from Houston on

lol but you know there are Starbucks kiosks up and down Pennsylvannia Ave...probably on each floor AND the bunker at the White House. So really, who's losing out????

1 mom found this helpful
For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions