Free Republic

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...

After being stiff-armed by Democrats on a liquor-tax dispute, Costco execs have shifted their loyalties to Republicans in this year’s state Senate races.When it comes to politics, Costco Wholesale has a well-deserved reputation as a Democratic-leaning corporation. Company co-founders Jim Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman have hosted President Obama at fundraisers in their lakefront mansions. Costco executives have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates and causes over the past decade. But in the key battle for control of the state Senate this year, top Costco brass — miffed at Democrats over a liquor-fee dispute — have essentially switched...

... Some Wall Street analysts assert that CEO Jim Sinegal is overly generous not only to Costco's customers but to its workers as well. Costco's average pay, for example, is $17 an hour, 42 percent higher than its fiercest rival, Sam's Club. And Costco's health plan makes those at many other retailers look Scroogish. One analyst, Bill Dreher of Deutsche Bank, complained last year that at Costco "it's better to be an employee or a customer than a shareholder." Mr. Sinegal begs to differ. ...Good wages and benefits are why Costco has extremely low rates of turnover and theft by...

Costco, Wal-Mart duel in political arena Warehouse-store giants give money to opposing parties By MICHAEL FORSYTHE AND RACHEL KATZ BLOOMBERG NEWS Executives at Costco Wholesale Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., competitors in the $76 billion U.S. warehouse-club market, have taken their rivalry to a new level: national politics. Costco Chief Executive Officer Jim Sinegal, 68, is a Democrat who says President Bush's $1.7 trillion in tax cuts unfairly benefit the wealthy. He opposed the Iraq war and supports Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts for president. And he's the only chief executive of a company in the Standard & Poor's 500...