With over $12 billion in profits last year, Wal-Mart is the biggest and arguably most influential corporation in America. When Wal-Mart makes a move, governments pay attention and corporate competitors are quick to follow. When you follow the money, it is clear that Wal-Mart and the Walton Family spend millions every year pushing an overwhelmingly right wing agenda.
Political donors will often hedge their bets by giving to both candidates in a competitive race. But, in this month’s contest for Missouri governor, Wal-Mart found a way to make sure it was backing the winner: Wait until the polls close.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the world’s largest retailer, has transformed its once-tiny political action committee into one of the nation’s biggest corporate PACs by promising salaried managers and other executives that it will make corresponding donations in their names, on a two-to-one basis, into a company-controlled charity.
A report from Susan Clark Muntean at UC San Diego examining corporate political action using Wal-Mart as a case study.
Search to find specific people and organizations that are subject to Wal-Mart's Influence
Some federal data from Center for Public Integrity's OpenSecrets.org. Wal-mart Watch is a campaign of Five Stones and The Center for Community and Corporate Ethics. This site is in no way connected with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. or any affiliate of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Donations to Five Stones are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
