Recently I received an email that urged people to be aware of where their dollars are going. It had a list of companies, and how much they donated to the major political parties by percentage. It claimed to be based on the figures of 2000 by the Center for Responsive Politics. However, when I visited the website of the non-partisan research group at OpenSecrets.org, I found this page which states:

In recent days we have been made aware of an email and related Web sites that advise recipients to shop with certain companies based on which political party those companies support with their campaign contributions. The email cites the Center for Responsive Politics and our Web site, OpenSecrets.org, for the campaign contribution figures.

Please note that the Center did not author the email and has no relationship to its author.

The Center is a non-partisan research organization that does not endorse or promote any political party or candidate in any context. Nor do we take any position on the views or activities advocated in the email.

Also note that the campaign contribution figures in the email are inaccurate and and do not reflect current information from our Web site.

Notice that they said the figures weren't even accurate. However, within moments on their informative site, I was able to find the correct information for the companies. I'm including some of the more notable findings below, with the links. Feel free to explore the site of the Center for Responsive Politics further.

• Walmart Stores - $2,005,516 - 80% to Republicans
• Anheuser-Busch - $872, 716 - 56% to Republicans
• Home Depot - $716,270 - 94% to Republicans
• Outback Steakhouse - $501,948 - 98% to Republicans
• KMart Corp - $386,439 - 64% to Republicans
• Target Corp - $314,588 - 73% to Republicans
• McDonald's - $309,918 - 80% to Republicans
• Coca Cola Co - $275,454 - 66% to Republicans
• Sears, Roebuck & Co - $268,544 - 76% to Republicans
• Wendy's - $230,600 - 91% to Republicans
• Coors - $227,175 - 82% to Republicans
• Gap Inc - $244,085 - 61% to Democrats
• Costco - $207,803 - 98% to Democrats
• Brinker Intl - $148,500 - 92% to Republicans (owns Chili's, Macaroni Grill, On the Border)
• Hyatt Corp - $141,925 - 87% to Democrats
• Staples Inc - $132,949 - 61% to Republicans
• Circuit City Stores - $117,300 - 96% to Republicans
• Hilton Hotels - $113,600 - 61% to Republicans
• Barnes & Noble - $103,850 - 98% to Democrats
• Russel Stover Candies - $96,800 - 100% to Republicans
• Hard Rock Cafe - $59,300 - 100% to Democrats
• Hooters of America - $59,300 - 97% to Republicans (now you know what owls and elephants have in common)

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