Replies

Oops, let's try that again:

Lands' End:
Thank you for your e-mail and sharing your concern with us regarding our choice of mystery Santa. Indeed, we had no political agenda and only were concerned about the children. Thank you again for writing.

My reply:
Thank you for writing.

I am perplexed by your note. Does this mean that due to your concern for the children, you did not investigate Mr. Reiner's organization and its agenda? If so, how can increasing the tax burden on your customers not be a political agenda? How can increasing the government's role in the upbringing of young children (through public preschool and subsidized daycare) not be a political agenda? As I wrote yesterday, every tax dollar that is removed from our household makes it increasingly difficult for either my husband or I to be home at all times, raising our own four children. (I could also add that every tax dollar removed from my bank account is a tax dollar that will not be spent at Lands' End!)

And if you did not investigate the organization, why not? Did your company take his "It's for the children" message at face value without looking into it further? That does not speak well for your company either. Surely you knew that Mr. Reiner has been extremely politically active in my state, California, and that this organization is tied to his (extremely liberal, high-tax) political activities and agenda? Does Lands' End typically solicit funds for organizations without a thorough investigation?

Or, when you say you were only concerned about the children, is that another way of saying that Lands' End completely supports the I Am Your Child organization and its socialist agenda of increasing taxes on hard-working families in order to fund daycare, preschool, and other intrusive government activities? I would really like to know the answer to that question.

I sincerely hope that you will take my concerns to the directors of your company.

Thank you for your time and attention.