Orlando theme parks donate heavily to political parties, mostly Republicans

As a gay man and a Democrat, I can say that I am officially disgusted with Disney and Universal, especially knowing how much revenue the gay community spends in theme parks. I wonder what that will do for Gay Days at Disney in June next summer ??

This isn't some new thing, and it has nothing to do with gay people (gay Republicans are rumored to exist). Republicans tend to be more favorable to business and impose fewer regulations on them.

What Jeff said, as well as the ongoing casino debate in Florida. Disney is (rightly so) very concerned with how a high-end casino resort popping up closer than the Tampa Hard Rock could effect their deluxe level resorts. They openly support and have programs for tolerance and such for alternative lifestyles, they're very much Democrat in that regard. This is purely related to business needs. I think you'd be surprised to find who many companies you like because they support certain positions at a national/enterprise level donate to at the state and local level because of other business issues. This is a great example.

Mr Hound, do you shop at Walmart, Ebay, Target? They do the same thing. I think with the exception of Apple and Google, most big companies support Republicans. As a raging liberal commie bastard, I take no issue with that. Its just like how labor unions lean mostly democrat, and pour in millions to support those candidates.

delan said:

...Target? They do the same thing.

Target has launched numerous pro-equality campaigns. It sold gay pride T-shirts online during June’s Pride month and donated part of the proceeds to the Family Equality Council, an LGBT advocacy group.

And in June the megastore stocked its shelves with greeting cards for same-sex couples. The cards have messages like “Two very special women, one very special love,” as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.

source

This country needs to get over the "I will only support, buy from, talk to, vote for, associate with, or ride roller coasters with people with whom I agree with 100% of the time on every single subject that could possibly be discussed" syndrome.

djDaemon said:

delan said:

...Target? They do the same thing.

Target has launched numerous pro-equality campaigns. It sold gay pride T-shirts online during June’s Pride month and donated part of the proceeds to the Family Equality Council, an LGBT advocacy group.

And in June the megastore stocked its shelves with greeting cards for same-sex couples. The cards have messages like “Two very special women, one very special love,” as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.

source

Supporting those kinds of social issues at the macro/national level have absolutely nothing to do with who these companies support at the state and local level. If you look at who Target has given to at those levels, you're very likely to see Republicans due to the business-friendly nature at that level. That's what delan (and myself) was saying.

dj,

None of that had anything to do with Democrat or Republican campaign contributions. A lot of the major companies (aside from Chick-Fil-A) are contributing to human rights and equality associations.

A quick Google of "Target Campaign Contributions" shows how they got hammered by news organizations in 2010 about their overwhelming support through funding of Republican candidates. And Jeff pretty much nailed it. Republicans tend to be for fewer regulations and letting businesses run themselves. Democrats tend to favor more regulations. Both, however have proven within the last decade that they can't balance a budget.

~Rob

I'm a gay republican. We exist. Lol.

Most of my conservative gay friends have bailed on the GOP and embraced the Libertarians. The Log Cabin has gotten so small, I heard they were looking into renting a woodshed.

The sad irony about a libertarian party as a bona fide third option is that it wouldn't be right for it to take money from big corporate interests.

^Citizens Untied! (No, that was not a dyslexic typo).

HeyIsntThatRob? said:

dj,

None of that had anything to do with Democrat or Republican campaign contributions.

Delan was responding to Coasterhound36, who was focusing on the gay rights aspect. I was just pointing out Target's change of heart on lgbt issues.

bjames said:

I'm a gay republican. We exist. Lol.

Inconceivable!

Why are people so eager to put themselves into some sort of group? We should get our rights as individuals, not as groups. I'd be willing to give up the breaks I get as a home owner or a married man if it meant a lower overall tax rate for everyone and a balanced budget. I don't favor any breaks or special treatment for any company or group. Unfortunately, most people still think there is some kind of big difference between the R's and D's. They use the groups we put ourselves in (gays, blacks, businessowners, women, etc) to keep us neatly divided with wedge issues and then they agree on the biggest of issues like monetary policy, foreign policy, and civil liberties.

A lot of companies give to candidates in both parties. They support those candidates that they believe will best serve their interests.

"Disney has given out about $313,000 worth of freebies, about 83 percent of that to the Florida Democratic Party. SeaWorld has given out about $2,000 in freebies, all to the Democrats."

Somehow that seems appropriate. :)

I thought the political donations tended to be more industry-based than company-based. I had some ideas about who gives to who generally, but wanted to know more...so I found this: http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/mems.php?party=A&cycle=2012

"Hollywood" is more balanced in giving than you might have thought...certainly was for me. Automotive at 3-1 pro-GOP seems a little hard to believe.

Does make you recognize why unions are considered such adversaries of the GOP... ;~)

The automotive companies/auto suppliers probably are giving to the GOP (much like the Orlando theme parks are). Linked list indicates that Industrial Unions give 97% to dems.

Big businesses don't like rules or treating their employees fairly. Republicans are ok with allowing that. No surprise that big business donates mostly to them.

You want fair elections? Get rid of Citizens United, get rid of all the outside money, gifts and BS, and make all campaigns publically financed. As it stands now, the entire system is setup to favor those who amass the most money. When those people get into office, it's certainly not the voters they're working for.