U.k. money spent on u.s. elections

• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  8 October 2012     11:44194796
  #1       report
  new one on me i wonder what the shareholders think about it.
  
  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/07/uk-companies-pour-cash-into-us-elections
• Guest 655

  • Registered: 13 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 10,247
  8 October 2012     15:20194825
  #2       report
  If a business has a direct interest in the performance of the US economy and want to influence events then no problem.
  
  This would be more a problem for the Americans themselves rather than British shareholders as they might be miffed about British influencing their elections.
• Guest 710

  • Registered: 28 Feb 2011
  • Posts: 6,950
  8 October 2012     15:32194828
  #3       report
  " British multinationals such as HSBC, Barclays, Experian, Prudential, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, BP, Shell and BAE all have political action committees (PACs) that channel donations from employees to US politicians."
  "... some FTSE 100 groups continue to tell shareholders in annual reports and elsewhere that they do not make political donations.
  
  Companies are able to make such claims because PACs receive their funds from US employees - often led by the most senior American executives - and only dip into company coffers to cover administrative costs. "
  Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  8 October 2012     15:33194829
  #4       report
  clearly they think that the shareholders would not approve.
• Guest 710

  • Registered: 28 Feb 2011
  • Posts: 6,950
  8 October 2012     16:44194843
  #5       report
  Shareholders and investors have much more on their plate...
  
  http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/oct/08/reckitt-boss-pledged-shares-loan-disclosure
  Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
• Guest 725

  • Registered: 7 Oct 2011
  • Posts: 1,418
  8 October 2012     17:12194854
  #6       report
  Funny how West London's favourite hippy chronicle posted this piece in their environmental section on the same day:
  
  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/08/firms-tories-2030-carbon-target
  
  So they complain when some major companies decide to support prospective presidents and yet see it right and fitting that other companies try to have some bearing on one of the possibly the most important ministry of state.
  Among them Asda, Boots, Pepsico - are they having some sort of laugh?
  This isn't just any energy this is Marks and Spencer wind energy providing the wind blows.
  • Asda
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  8 October 2012     17:36194859
  #7       report
  nice try philip but the companies are totally open on the energy issue and the complete opposite when financing american politicians.
• Guest 725

  • Registered: 7 Oct 2011
  • Posts: 1,418
  8 October 2012     18:54194866
  #8       report
  Of course Howard. Now is all well in the world. As long as what the subsidy junky energy companies and greenwash firms are open about how green energy will keep the lights on everything is fine and dandy.
  These self same companies wiill change their tune and complain vociferously when their precious profits are imperilled due to power cuts.
  That's Asda logic.
  • Asda