Study Grades Companies’ Political Transparency: Berkshire Hathaway, Disney Rank Lowest
- Posted on November 2, 2011 at 12:09am by
Christopher Santarelli
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A new study conducted by the non-profit, non-partisan Center for Political Accountability with the Zicklin Center at University of Pennsylvania examines how major businesses spend money to influence politics.
The study identified a total of 29 indicators to gauge disclosure, policies, compliance and oversight of all of the top S&P 100 companies in order to assess companies on political transparency and accountability. 14 companies tied for the worst possible score, including Disney, Amazon, NIKE and Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway. The four companies with the top possible score were Colgate-Palmolive Co., Exelon Corp., IBM and Merck.
The study also outlines what it describes to be “striking findings” that:
- Voluntary disclosure of political spending is becoming a mainstream corporate practice
- A growing number of companies are putting restrictions on the political use of their money
Established in 2003 and working with more than 20 shareholders advocates, the CPA is the only group to directly engage companies to improve disclosure and oversight of their political spending. This includes soft money contributions and payments to trade associations. The center was formed to “address the secrecy that cloaks much of the political activity engaged in by companies and the risks this poses to shareholder value.”
The Carol and Lawrence Zicklin Center for Business Research at Penn was established in 1997 with the mission “to sponsor and disseminate leading-edge research on critical topics in business ethics.”
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ProudTeaPartyMember
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 4:00amI sense that people here are starting to rebel against Disney’s left leaning, pro gay lifestyle. It used to be a wholesome company.
Report Post »garbagecanlogic
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 10:18pmDon’t tell Buffy that his company is doing badly, he won’t be able to pay those extra taxes.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
Report Post »The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
65Mustang
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 5:13pmI can’t stand to watch any of the Disney channels and I wish they could be eliminated from my cable package. Disgusting what the writers think is funny. It’s all about loud, obnoxious teenagers who think they are so cute.
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 3:59pmThis has been a continual beef of mine in that many conservative Christians prop up Disney (I am sure to the founder’s embarassment and dismay) with their dollars when I argue that this business went bonkers to the left years ago. It is like Hollywood- stop living in la-la land- these people are FOR your demise as a country and you are giving them fuel. Stop it already!
Report Post »loupgarous
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 2:17pmAre we surprised? Disney already is a major player in left-wing brainwashing of the public by means of its American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Television) subsidiary, which chose Mark Halperin to run its news division. Mark Halperin, it should be recalled, chose to tip the Clinton campaign off early to the Genifer Flowers story, thus helping the Clintons manage the impact of that disclosure and mitigating its severity to Bill Clinton’s Presidential campaign. So Disney’s not by any means a neutral player in the public square – it has taken up partisanship for the left as a corporate mission.
Something to remember the next time you change channels or consider buying a Disney product.
Report Post »One Patriot
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 4:19pmThey are what you say, but there is more. They are CHEAP with regard to pay and benefits. My middle daughter flew to Orlando from Newark to interview for a summer position after graduating high school and prior to entering college. They expected her to intern (work for room and board) and said if it worked out, she would be offered a job at minimum wage.
Report Post »Upon returning home two days later, she allowed that many of the employees were disgruntled and that it was supposed to be an “honor” to work for Disney. She also said it was like belonging to a cult
that worshipped Disney more than God or any diety.
phamill
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 10:09amThis is a shame, think about what Mr. Disney would think about the way his company is being used to brain wash our kids
Report Post »phamill
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 10:07amThis is so sad that companies have gone this way,think about what Mr. Disney would think about the way his company is used to brain washed our kids.
Report Post »Ford
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 8:58amDisney has been going downhill at an alarming rate. I don’t let my kids watch any of the sitcoms on there, Witches of Waverly place is awful. It’s not because of the magic theme, I could care less about that, it’s how horrible the main character is. She’s mean, stupid, skips class, is completely selfish, and is an all around nasty person. This character type is almost the norm there for all the main characters in their shows. So I say all of that to say this, I am not surprised at all about them being shady.
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 6:59amFigures.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 7:11amI did a search on Ebay for survivalist stuff, and Amazon sent me the 72 hour bug out kits they had on sale. Learned my lesson.
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 5:23amBerkshire Hathaway allows its “A” shareholders to designate a charity to which BH will donate funds in their name each year. The company has long been a major donor to abortion clinics. Whenever Warren Buffett receives criticism for this, he cites this rule of the company in an attempt to distract and mislead from his own accountability for this. What Buffett never divulges is that it is HIS rule! HE created that rule. It is HIS shares that HE personally designates to send money to abortion clinics. HE is the one that directs the funds to commit these acts of atrocity. HE is a big proponent of population control. He just hides behind this rule to attempt to deflect taking accountability for what HIS company and HIS shares are doing!
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 6:41pm@ Sbenard
Report Post »The ability for BerkHath A shareholders to designate charitable contributions has not been available for over 10 years. Buffet stopped it when his charitable contributions (for ZPG stuff like Planned Parenthood) was negatively impacting business. In particular, women would host “Tupperware”-type parties for “The Pampered Chef” and some neighbor women who attended brought up Warren’s charitable contributions. Instead of changing his contributions, Buffet stopped the whole program.
TumbleBumble
Posted on November 2, 2011 at 12:23amAnother reason to not like Disney.
Report Post »