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Boycott of businesses that supported Walker gains steam on Facebook [no more Johnsonville brats]
Madison.com ^ | 3-9-11

Posted on 03/09/2011 5:01:44 PM PST by SJackson

About halfway down a Facebook page devoted to organizing boycotts of companies associated with deep-pocket political contributors to Gov. Scott Walker, there was this sobering comment:

"I don't think I can be part of this anymore," wrote Mary Possin, a small-business owner in Monona. Possin said she couldn't support the page's directions that consumers not buy products from businesses including Johnsonville Sausage, Sargento, Menards and M&I Bank.

"Has anyone considered the impact on the workers of these businesses? They will be the ones who are hurt," Possin added, noting small businesses that carry boycotted products would be most vulnerable. "The fat cats will still be fat."

But Possin's concerns — so different in tone and substance from the bulk of comments on this passionately anti-Walker, anti-big business page — were quickly dispatched by other posters, including page co-administrator Sam Hokin, who also runs a small business in the Madison area.

"I think we all share your concerns, Mary," Hokin said. "But the core issue is that we've reached a state of 'war.' Koch/Walker/etc. own the (governor's office), the Senate and the Assembly. That means that in the span of only two years, one budget cycle, they can wreak total havoc on the state, doing damage that can never be repaired."

"So yes," he added, "in times of war, there will be collateral damage."

With more than 9,600 followers by Wednesday afternoon, Hokin's Facebook page, titled "Boycott Scott Walker Contributors," is a central clearinghouse for information feeding this next wave of opposition to Walker's controversial budget repair bill and spending plan for the next biennium.

It gives those opposed to Walker's plans for deep spending cuts and the virtual elimination of public unions a place to focus their outrage, Hokin said — by letting people know which company's leaders and political action committees made big campaign donations to Walker.

"Basically the only thing corporations care about is money," Hokin said in an interview. "We can't really affect them by saying things or flashing (protest signs). The thing to do on a day-to-day basis is to try to reduce their revenues."

To identify Walker contributors, Hokin's page links to a campaign finance database maintained by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. It also helps followers send letters of protest to companies, provides a place for updates and shares ideas for more activities — such as organized pickets outside companies associated with Walker and a planned boycott of this year's Brat Fest because it uses some Johnsonville products.

In its place, a "Virtual Brat Fest" is being organized that lets people donate online to try to replace the money that Brat Fest raises for local charities.

And for those uneasy with targeting local companies for boycotts at all, sister pages such as "Pledge to Spend" have been created to promote businesses identified as "strongly pro-labor," Hokin said.

In other business-related political opposition, two groups of real estate agents — known as Realtors in Support of Public Employees and Realtors Against Governor Walker's Current Policies — formed recently, in contrast to the Wisconsin Realtors Association, which contributed to Walker's campaign.

Also, three popular Roman Candle restaurants in the Madison area pulled out of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association because it endorsed Walker and refused to make a statement in favor of collective bargaining.

The association, in turn, pulled its dining guide off its website, claiming protesters planned to use it to "harass our members," president Ed Lump said.

Lump also noted restaurants are big donors to schools for such things as scholarships, athletic programs and bands.

Christine Wallace, a spokeswoman for Johnsonville Sausage, said the company respected its customers' "passion for this issue" and their interest in the political process.

"We are hopeful both sides of this debate will work to resolve the issues that are facing our state," the statement read.

M&I Bank also released a statement noting that by law, individual employees make political contributions "at their own discretion," rather than the company itself directly.

And a statement from Menard Inc. said "some of (our) team members may or may not have" given money to Walker's campaign, adding, "We know some gave to (Democratic candidate Tom) Barrett as well."

The rest of Menard's statement read, "We feel badly that some want to boycott us. We have the lowest prices and the biggest, most beautiful stores run by some of Wisconsin's friendliest, hardest-working folks. We are a family-owned Wisconsin company that employs a lot of good Wisconsin citizens throughout the state. We hope calmer heads will prevail soon for the sake of all concerned."


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: facebook; johnsonvillesausage; menards; mibank; realtorsassociation; romancandle; samhokin; sargento; scottwalker; wisconsin; wisconsinshowdown
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1 posted on 03/09/2011 5:01:50 PM PST by SJackson
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Your list. This goes no where, but maybe it explains why the union thugs preferred pizza. Non-Sargento, I presume.


2 posted on 03/09/2011 5:02:48 PM PST by SJackson (Normal people don't sit cross-legged on the floor and bang on drums, WI State Sen Glenn Grothman (R))
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To: SJackson

Use the Demorat list to know what products to buy and whom to patronize.


3 posted on 03/09/2011 5:03:35 PM PST by Hamilcar_Barca
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To: SJackson

Screw the liberals. If they can’t accept the results of an election, they deserve no sympathy from anyone.


4 posted on 03/09/2011 5:03:54 PM PST by popdonnelly (Democrats are silly people - but silly people can be dangerous)
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To: SJackson

Walker just hit them below the water line. Go Walker!


5 posted on 03/09/2011 5:04:12 PM PST by lacrew (Mr. Soetoro, we regret to inform you that your race card is over the credit limit.)
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To: SJackson

I LOVE Johnsonville Brats!

Now I’m going to go stock up on a case for spring grilling!


6 posted on 03/09/2011 5:05:55 PM PST by henkster (Before we make any more "investments" we ought to be shown the prospectus.)
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To: SJackson

let them eat cake...


7 posted on 03/09/2011 5:06:25 PM PST by dps.inspect (the system is rigged...)
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To: SJackson
I can't wait until tomorrow to stock up on Johnsonville Sausage, all varieties.
8 posted on 03/09/2011 5:06:32 PM PST by boomop1
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To: Hamilcar_Barca
The simplest way is to buy ONLY non-union goods and services.

Once people start asking "are you Union?" and they answer "yes", you tell them "no thanks"....

9 posted on 03/09/2011 5:07:30 PM PST by traditional1 ("Don't gotsta worry 'bout no mo'gage, don't gotsta worry 'bout no gas; Obama gonna take care o' me!)
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To: SJackson
These boycotts seldom do any good, people are just too fickled to do without what they want for an cause that just doesn't directly affect them. Holding such a coalition together until the desired results comes to fruition is nearly impossible...especially amongst democrats.

If democrats had the fortitude and character to to make such an endeavor work, they would have succeeded at whatever they are boycotting over, negating the need for said boycott.

If I was one of those businesses I wouldn't be putting my "Going Out Of Business" signs in the window just yet...just put the word out to support your business because support Governor Walker and his efforts to balance the budget and save the state from bankruptcy, and you'll have all the business you need.

We out number them, in numbers too big to ignore.
10 posted on 03/09/2011 5:07:37 PM PST by FrankR (The Evil Are Powerless If The Good Are Unafraid! - R. Reagan)
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To: popdonnelly

“If they can’t accept the results of an election, they deserve no sympathy from anyone.”

Is that what they were saying to conservatives just a short time back.


11 posted on 03/09/2011 5:07:55 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: SJackson
"So yes," he added, "in times of war, there will be collateral damage."

Way to make friends there genius.
12 posted on 03/09/2011 5:08:18 PM PST by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
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To: Hamilcar_Barca

Could someone post it so I don’t have to see the stuff there?

Btw I’ll be upping my Brat intake.


13 posted on 03/09/2011 5:08:36 PM PST by sgtyork (The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom, courage. Thucydides)
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To: SJackson

Wonder how many of the 9600 actually eat brats. Somehow, I don’t think they have the numbers to make or break a business, especially when you consider that many of them are probably not even from Wisconsin. On that note, I think I’ll throw a couple brats on the grill!


14 posted on 03/09/2011 5:09:33 PM PST by onevoter
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To: SJackson

Then they will end up putting some private sector unions workers out of a job. Brilliant plan.


15 posted on 03/09/2011 5:09:38 PM PST by coaltrain (Obama's a Harvard lawyer like Elvis was a Black Belt)
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To: SJackson

Chicken and sausage gumbo. Jambalaya. Red Beans and rice with sausage. I’m gonna try my recipies with those Johnsonville ‘brats’. (Brats are sausages, right?)


16 posted on 03/09/2011 5:10:06 PM PST by sportutegrl
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; Delacon; ...

Those of us on Facebook need to find the Johnsonville page and click “Like”. Thanks SJackson.


17 posted on 03/09/2011 5:10:41 PM PST by SunkenCiv (The 2nd Amendment follows right behind the 1st because some people are hard of hearing.)
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To: lacrew

govgeneral@wisconsin.gov

Don’t forget to say Thank You :) :)

God bless them, every one!
Tatt


18 posted on 03/09/2011 5:11:45 PM PST by thesearethetimes... ("Courage, is fear that has said its prayers." DorothyBernard)
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To: SJackson
"in times of war, there will be collateral damage."

I hate it when wimpy, 'RAT girlymen try to act macho. Sissies!

19 posted on 03/09/2011 5:12:06 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Just say NO to union greed!)
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To: SunkenCiv

Here’s the “We love Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker” Facebook page. :)

https://www.facebook.com/support.governor.scott.walker


20 posted on 03/09/2011 5:12:20 PM PST by Politicalmom (America-The Land of the Sheep, the Home of the Caved.)
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