Influence Strategy
Introduction to the Walton's Political Influence
At Wal-Mart Watch, we aggressively tell a new, more truthful Wal-Mart Story. This includes Wal-Mart's evolution as a political force beginning with their owners, the Walton Family. The Walton's influence around the country is truly remarkable. Through their private giving and Wal-Mart's corporate engagement, the Walton family is able to use its enormous wealth to advance a right wing agenda. Wal-Mart and Walton family money go to projects and enterprises, such as opposing the estate tax;1 supporting charter schools;2 fighting port security;3 and obstructing food safety.4 Many of our lives are affected by these two entities.
Like no other time since Wal-Mart was founded, the Walton's are using their enormous wealth and the profits of their company to influence public policy. They are richer than Warren Buffet and Bill Gates5 When not spending money on art6 or cruising around the country in their private jets,7 they are sending money to local politicians and lobbying for policies that benefit their interests.
Overall, Wal-Mart and the Walton's have so much influence that it is hard to pick any one area to search. For now, we are focusing on federal lobbying, Wal-Mart's PAC, political contributions to both state and federal candidates, and charter school/voucher support with further investigations to follow. We will add state political giving in the coming months and investigate support for other specific issues. If you have suggesitons on subjects you think we should explore, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 202-557-7400.
Wal-Mart uses marketing campaigns to make consumers see them as a soft, friendly company that cares about progressive causes. When you follow the money, the facts show that Wal-Mart and the Walton family spend millions pushing an overwhelmingly right wing agenda.
An introduction to Wal-Mart's lobbying empire
An introduction to Wal-Mart's political action committee
An introduction to the political donation's of America's richest family
1 Hopkins, Jim. “Wal-Mart family lobbies for tax cuts.” USA Today, April 5, 2005.
2 Barnett Reed, Jennifer. “The Wal-Mart Effect.” Arkansas Times, April 10, 2008.
3 UNCHECKED: How Wal-Mart Uses Its Might to Block Port Security,” AFL-CIO report to Congress, April 2006
4 Lovera, Patricia; Tony Corbo; Taylor Lincoln; Frank Clemente. “Tabled Labels: Consumers Eat Blind While Congress Feasts on Campaign Cash,” Public Citizen, September 2005.
5 “The World’s Billionaires,” Forbes, March 5, 2008.6 Vogel, Carol. “A Determined Heiress Plots an Art Collection.” New York Times, May 14, 2005; Serwer, Andy. “The Walton’s – Inside America’s Richest Family,” Fortune, November 15, 2004.
7 Serwer, Andy. “The Walton’s – Inside America’s Richest Family,” Fortune, November 15, 2004.
