I work for a company that is telling me that before I can contribute to political candidates and organizations, I must first get approval from the legal department. They say that all employees, no matter what their function, must do this. Apparently, I live in one of ten states that this company has offices that require this procedure. I do not in any way understand how this can be legal. One of the guidelines, which I thought only applied to upper management, is to monitor influence peddling and for employees not to be contributing against the corporate interest. I am simply amazed.
I have only recently started at this company and have yet to test it. I've had to distance myself from helping out the candidate everyone is talking about because of this policy. I find it an infringement on my free speech and freedom of association. I should not have to seek their approval to exercise my rights.
I am considering submitting for approval request to contribute to campaigns, but what shall I do? Put in one request for a primary candidate running in my state, or should I see if I can get a sense of how this policy is enforced by making a wide range of requests, maybe even throwing in a Rethug or two. I don't actually have to contribute after approval, it is just a mere statement of intent. Throw in Appollo Alliance, MoveOn, DFA, maybe even the Socialist party, and see what response I get.
Who the hell ever made this policy legal? I want names!