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Why Costco is going Republican — at least at home
Washington Post ^ | September 15, 2014 | Reid Wilson

Posted on 09/15/2014 3:33:15 PM PDT by Second Amendment First

On July 24, President Obama traveled to Medina, a small, wealthy enclave outside Seattle, to attend a fundraiser for a Democratic super PAC at the home of former Costco CEO Jim Sinegal, one of the Democratic Party’s most reliable donors.

But at the same time Sinegal was raising money to help Democrats retain control of the U.S. Senate, he and two of the wholesaler’s top executives were also shelling out cash to help Republicans win the Washington State Senate. In fact, the three Costco executives — long among the most reliable donors to Democratic candidates and causes — have spent about three times as much helping elect Republican state legislators this cycle as they have on Democrats.

The cause of the change of heart: A fight over liquor taxes.

Costco was the driving force behind a Washington State ballot initiative in 2012 that ended the state monopoly on liquor sales and allowed big retailers — like Costco itself — to sell spirits in their stores. It was a huge boon for the company’s bottom line.

This year, Costco lobbied the legislature to eliminate a 17 percent license fee on retail sales to restaurants and bars, a big part of the wholesaler’s business. That’s far higher than the 5 percent fee paid by liquor wholesalers.

The measure passed the state Senate, with a small measure of Democratic support. But it died in the state House, where Democrats run the show.

So the three executives — Sinegal, Chairman Jeff Brotman and Senior Vice President John McKay — began funding Republicans. All three wrote $5,000 checks to the Leadership Council, an outside group that backs Senate Republicans. Combined, reports filed with the state campaign finance commission show that they have given $46,550 to Republican candidates since the beginning of the year.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: costco; districtofcolumbia; jeffbezos; jeffreybrotman; jimsinegal; seattle; washingtoncompost; washingtonpost
It all changes when it's your ox being gored.
1 posted on 09/15/2014 3:33:15 PM PDT by Second Amendment First
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To: Second Amendment First

Democrats shop at Costco (which is the acronym of “Chinese Over Seas Trading Company”), Republicans shop at Sam’s Club.


2 posted on 09/15/2014 3:37:51 PM PDT by alloysteel (Most people become who they promised they would never be.)
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To: Second Amendment First
It all changes when it's your ox being gored.

And that is why people that don't have skin in the game always vote as they do. Maybe people who don't pay taxes or serve in the military should not be allowed to vote.

3 posted on 09/15/2014 3:39:29 PM PDT by oldbrowser (We have a rogue government in Washington)
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To: Second Amendment First

Conservative with their own money - liberal with everyone else’s. Typical Dems...


4 posted on 09/15/2014 3:42:45 PM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: Second Amendment First

You know the old saying...

“Once you’ve gone Barack,
I’m never going back...”


5 posted on 09/15/2014 3:51:47 PM PDT by moovova
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To: alloysteel
Sam's Club?

You do know Sam's Club is owned by Walmart, right? Walmart, which is also often accused of filling their stores with cheap Chinese junk.

6 posted on 09/15/2014 4:06:47 PM PDT by jimtorr
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To: alloysteel

Actually, COSTCO (Seattle, Wash) and COSCO (Chinese trading company) are unrelated. Also, note, the Waltons give big money to Democrats these days.


7 posted on 09/15/2014 4:21:48 PM PDT by hoyaloya
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To: Second Amendment First
Costco also invests a lot of effort into "green washing"; the PR art of convincing (deceiving) the public they are heavily involved in saving the planet.
8 posted on 09/15/2014 4:25:44 PM PDT by Baynative (Free people are not equal, equal people are not free.)
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To: Second Amendment First

maybe when they retract their anti-gun stand. i chp in their stores sans legal repercussions.


9 posted on 09/15/2014 4:25:54 PM PDT by bravo whiskey (we shouldn't fear the government. the government should fear us.)
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To: Second Amendment First

Sounds like a victim of obama’s economic “domestic violence”....


10 posted on 09/16/2014 5:43:15 AM PDT by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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