Dear Kossacks:
The Target Corporation has done the unthinkable: they're supporting a radical, right-wing candidate for governor in Minnesota -- State Representative Tom Emmer.
Target is doing this through a PAC called Minnesota Forward, although their candidate would represent an enormous step backward for Minnesota. The PAC is running pro-Emmer ads in Minnesota.
MN Progressive Project: Target Shills for Emmer
Emmer, who believes that the minimum wage "frustrates people's ability to make more money," wants to get rid of it, in particular, for people in the hospitality industry. You see, he says that waiters and waitresses are overpaid. He actually claimed recently that "some servers" in Minnesota make over $100,000 a year. Oh, yah, fer sure. It's that spendy walleye we're eatin' up here.
And in April Emmer said he wanted to cut state spending on government by one-third: although the ideas he floated were almost universally unhelpful in reaching that goal. Turns out he doesn't understand the actual function of the agencies he wants to eliminate.**
What is clear is that his policies would be disastrous for Minnesota: hurting the economy, devastating the environment, and harming education. He's a Tea Partier's Dream, and for some bizarre reason, Target Corp. is supporting him. Never mind that his policies would hurt middle- and working-class Minnesotans, the actual customers of Target.
Kossacks, we need you here in Minnesota! Will you please write or call Target and let them know that you disagree with this decision? This would be a nightmare for Minnesota.
If you would rather contact them online, here is a link to their contact form:
Target Corporate Information contact form
Gregg W. Steinhafel, Chairman, President, and CEO
Target Corporation
1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
MN Tel. 612-304-6073
Fax 612-696-5400
We really appreciate it!
**For example, Emmer wanted to get rid of the MN Housing Finance agency, which is 90% self-supporting. And, why did he want to get rid of an office helping poor people find housing? Because it was "competing with private businesses," a charge that turned out to be untrue. The mission of the agency is to provide housing help to those who can't get it from the private market.