Marriott has become the first major travel company to take a stand on political donations, following what happened this past week in DC.
In this post:
Marriott will stop donating to certain politicians
It has been revealed that Marriott’s political action committee (PAC) will no longer donate to campaigns of lawmakers who challenged the certification process of President-elect Joe Biden. As a Marriott spokesperson explains:
“We have taken the destructive events at the Capitol to undermine a legitimate and fair election into consideration and will be pausing political giving from our Political Action Committee to those who voted against certification of the election.”
While some companies have said that they’ll take the events of the past week into consideration when making future donations, not many have taken a hardline stand as of now.
What politicians did Marriott donate to?
I had never actually looked at this before, so it was a fun rabbit hole to go down. First of all, it’s interesting to see how Marriott’s political donations have changed by election cycle. In the past the company would donate overwhelmingly to Republicans, while in recent cycles that trend has changed significantly.
According to Open Secrets:
- In 2000, Marriott donated $3,000 to Democratic candidates, and $130,900 to Republican candidates
- In 2020, Marriott donated $108,500 to Democratic candidates, and $89,500 to Republican candidates
- It was the 2010 election cycle where Marriott went from donating more to Republicans to donating more to Democrats
What did Marriott’s PAC donate to in 2020? Here are some notable politicians and PACs that got Marriott’s money:
- Marriott donated a total of $2,000 to organizations associated with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who was trying to overturn the election results; this includes $1,000 for the “Hawley Victory Committee,” and $1,000 for the “Fighting for Missouri PAC”
- Not related to this situation specifically, but Marriott also donated $1,500 to the campaign of Senator David Perdue in Georgia
- Conversely, Marriott donated $2,500 to a PAC associated with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
- But then Marriott also donated $1,000 to “Heartland Values PAC,” associated with South Dakota Senator John Thune
As you can see, we’re not talking about huge amounts here — it’s not the amount that’ll do much damage to these politicians, but rather the sentiment.
I don’t understand big companies making political donations
This is more a general thought on my part rather than specific to this situation, but I don’t really get the way that big corporations go about making donations. I mean, I get it — they want to make donations here and there in hopes of politicians viewing them favorably when in power.
However, the approach big companies take towards donations are incredibly inconsistent. Like, what does a company actually stand for if it supports both Nancy Pelosi and Josh Hawley?
I mean, I guess I can answer my own question — companies stand for nothing and are just trying to be viewed as favorably by all politicians as possible. But still…
Bottom line
Marriott has become the first major travel brand to pledge that it won’t make donations to politicians who tried to overturn the electoral votes. In practical terms that seems to mean the company won’t make any donations to Josh Hawley going forward, at least based on my review of the list that Marriott’s PAC has donated to.
As a Marriott member since 1969, I find it intolerable that Marriott is trying to pick winners and losers with their PAC contributions. I will rethink my stock ownership and my Marriott long standing membership.
So in the near future, when dems can't block truth what happens? When proof of insurrection that was actually happening at election offices, millions of Zuckerberg money which gave him control over swing state election offices, proof of illegal ballot harvesting. Good people with common sense know the truth, also feel the truth about lack of election integrity.
Fact check. None of what you said is true. Do the research. Unless You're willing to dig to find the truth and educate yourself, do us all a favor and don't vote. MAGA "Alternative Facts" are not truth.
I’m with Ronelle, Wanderer, Mike, and several others. There are a lot of options out there.
I have stayed in Marriott for years, in fact they were my hotel of choice. Since they have joined cancel culture they will never see me again, you are entitled to support anyone you please, and I am entitled to never give you another dime.
@ Mike Malone -- So you're "canceling" a company because that company "joined cancel culture?" Hmmm...
Is this still their stand? I didn’t see them in a list that was published. I traveled for work last week and stayed at Hilton. I have to travel next week and would like to stay at Marriott since I’m a loyal customer of 20 years with lifetime Titanium status.
Ronelle: I am with you on this. Stings a little as a LTP, but I'll be shifting my stays also to HH. Marriott can do what they would like but they will no longer have my money to do things with.
How do I tell Marriott that as a valued customer over the years, I will not be staying at Marriott, nor will my other adult family members, because of their change of Political policies. You may have the right to cancel politicians, but I have the right not to stay at your facilities, as I have over the last 40 years.
@Curtis
If you go searching for offence you will always find some, no matter how trivial.
Such snowflake behaviour seems astounding coming from an alleged ex-serving member in whatever branch of the services.
Marriott needs to remember who they are affecting by their Opinions & voice. They could verbally assault a customer or an employee by their language and their actions. I did not serve this great country to be lectured by CEOs. I was a loyal Marriott customer, not after this week.
Good job Marriott. Stop supporting those morons. Everyone has the right to dispute and should do it but if you do not have any proof then just shut your mouth.
Back to the original topic: Corporate donations to political parties. A Chairman of a listed (non-US) corporation here.
I can understand and am in support of Marriott’s decision to no longer donate to political parties. We took the same decision about 8 years ago and only had positive reactions, both from our shareholders and our customers.
We do some political lobbying if there are legislative proposals that directly affect us. But even in this...
Back to the original topic: Corporate donations to political parties. A Chairman of a listed (non-US) corporation here.
I can understand and am in support of Marriott’s decision to no longer donate to political parties. We took the same decision about 8 years ago and only had positive reactions, both from our shareholders and our customers.
We do some political lobbying if there are legislative proposals that directly affect us. But even in this case we don’t pay politicians or political parties. But we only spend very insignificant amounts on such activities. Again a practice I can only recommend.
Political stances in general are a disservice to the company's shareholders. Why tick off potentially half of your paying customers?
@Greg - should have said "far right Republican". That more clear now? Also can't use Amazon anymore since Parler got the axe.
Legacy Republicans can't move on from this joker fast enough.
This comment section is a perfect microcosm of how divided the USA is at the moment. God forbid there be any form of civility. To set one thing straight, we should NOT lump all people who voted for Trump or Biden into one category, as members of both parties are vastly different. Most Democrats are not supporters of Antifa rioting and looting, and most Republicans do not support the treasonous actions undertaken by some far...
This comment section is a perfect microcosm of how divided the USA is at the moment. God forbid there be any form of civility. To set one thing straight, we should NOT lump all people who voted for Trump or Biden into one category, as members of both parties are vastly different. Most Democrats are not supporters of Antifa rioting and looting, and most Republicans do not support the treasonous actions undertaken by some far right lunatics. Moreover, the actions at the Capitol CANNOT be compared to Antifa and BLM protests. While some Antifa and BLM protests devolved into illegal actions, NONE of them approached treason.
As a center-right Republican, I voted for Trump in 2016 (though I did not vote for him in the primaries). As an American who lives in Russia 10 months out of the year, I held sincere hope that US-Russia relations would improve (I don't for one second buy the collusion rubbish) and that border security and immigration enforcement in the US would be tightened. I had no problem with building the wall or getting rid of the farcical DREAM Act. Furthermore, I was absolutely in favor of repealing Obamacare and, further, instituting an "America First" policy.
I thought Trump did a decent job (despite his big mouth and Twitter rants)....until 2020 hit. This year convinced me not to bother voting for him, due to his handling (denial) of COVID and increasingly deranged Twitter rants. I refused to vote for him again, and would have even considered voting for Biden had his running mate been someone closer to being center-left.
But Trump's actions since the election have confirmed that I made the right decision by not turning out to vote for him, and I firmly believe his behavior in the last few months deserve particular scrutiny from the DOJ.
@FNT Delta Diamond
No, not really "stupid". Nowadays if companies stay silent, it'll be interpreted as being against the cause.
@UA-NYC
Not every single "right wing republican" is a cult-like Trump supporter. God your comment is ignorant
This is a pretty stupid decision given how many hotels are used for political events and fundraising. Marriott very well may have lost a lot of otherwise lucrative event business because of its woke virtue signaling. Ironically, Marriott has no problem doing business with communist China or communist Venezuela.
All you right wing Republicans - will you also stop watching golf, now that Trump Bedminster lost the 2022 PGA?
Get ready for a lot more cancelling. Can’t wait!
To folks comparing democrats objection to 2026 election with GOP’s 2020 are forgetting that no Democrat senator supported those objections. There was no debate in 2016 unlike 2020 with 2 debates.
Moreover, Americans horrified by Trump’s victory did not march down to Capitol to overthrow the government. Sane goes for BLM,e were protests and riots but never an attempt to overthrow any government local, state or federal.
I would say Ben is making a valid point here when he said that corporations probably mainly donate just to look favorably by all parties involved.
@Tiffany
"But this is ultimately why impeachment is a very urgent and necessary response."
I'm not taking a position on Trump here in regards to the capital riot, but Just to get all perspectives an airing, here's a counterpoint to yours:
Trump impeachment ‘will not go to trial’: Alan Dershowitz
Constitutional legal scholar Alan Dershowitz argues impeaching the president for ‘exercising his First Amendment rights’ would be ‘so dangerous to the Constitution.’
...
@Tiffany
"But this is ultimately why impeachment is a very urgent and necessary response."
I'm not taking a position on Trump here in regards to the capital riot, but Just to get all perspectives an airing, here's a counterpoint to yours:
Trump impeachment ‘will not go to trial’: Alan Dershowitz
Constitutional legal scholar Alan Dershowitz argues impeaching the president for ‘exercising his First Amendment rights’ would be ‘so dangerous to the Constitution.’
https://news.yahoo.com/trump-impeachment-not-trial-alan-154238784.html
@ Sammy -- Yeah, I saw that, which...1) Dershowitz (who besides being hyper-partisan, is on the short list to represent Trump in an impeachment hearing should it come to that, and generally has to be taken with a few grains of salt), 2) That's not how the 1st amendment works 3) This is exactly what impeachment is designed for.
I think one of the struggles here is that post-Clinton, there's this sentiment that impeachment...
@ Sammy -- Yeah, I saw that, which...1) Dershowitz (who besides being hyper-partisan, is on the short list to represent Trump in an impeachment hearing should it come to that, and generally has to be taken with a few grains of salt), 2) That's not how the 1st amendment works 3) This is exactly what impeachment is designed for.
I think one of the struggles here is that post-Clinton, there's this sentiment that impeachment is in and of itself the consequence for concerning Presidential behavior. That's not true at all. Impeachment is the method by which the people (by way of their representatives in Congress) can investigate and otherwise check the otherwise near-limitless powers of the Executive. So going through that process (with Senate Republicans actually doing their job this time and calling witnesses, presenting evidence for and against, etc.) seems like the best way to have a clear record of the day and events and ideally a consensus opinion that allows the country to move past it.
All that being said -- though with not being a constitutional lawyer I am probably missing something -- suggestions have been made that there's a strong argument for changing the Articles of Impeachment to charge "insurrection" versus "incitement to insurrection". That shifts the focus back onto tangible actions that were made (and there are a host of things since November that could fall under that bucket, the GA calls alone are a mess), versus what was only said, and may meet your First Amendment concerns.
I've got an idea. Companies should stick to their focus and not get involved in political donations. This is like companies that donate to certain non profits. I'm not supporting their causes. If I want to donate I will. If a company is involved in assisting in creating or modifying related regulation in their industry as long as this does not give them more favorable terms over another company then it is okay.
Corporate political donations = Corruption. Of course, in the 'greatest democracy in the world', there is nothing like that, is there?
@Tiffany, thank you for the well reasoned ripostes to the rightwing nutjobs trolling OMAAT. I cannot believe such closed-minded MAGAts would even look at an international travel site.
@Jason - well now you know how it feels when you are beaten and feel like you shouldn't have lost. Unfortunately when your candidate loses by 7+ million votes there's no way to overcome that deficit. In 2016, Hillary conceded the election the day following the vote. The DNC didn't send troops of lawyers across 3 swing states to overturn results, didn't pedal conspiracy theories about "suitcases of votes suddenly added" or "boxes of ballots...
@Jason - well now you know how it feels when you are beaten and feel like you shouldn't have lost. Unfortunately when your candidate loses by 7+ million votes there's no way to overcome that deficit. In 2016, Hillary conceded the election the day following the vote. The DNC didn't send troops of lawyers across 3 swing states to overturn results, didn't pedal conspiracy theories about "suitcases of votes suddenly added" or "boxes of ballots tossed into the river" (what river?) and didn't stand on a stage and incite a mob of radicalized domestic terrorists to march to the Capitol building to "keep fighting". Also, in 2016 the FBI didn't disclose they were investigating the Trump team for possible Russian involvement. None of that was made public and until long after the election. You may have supported his policies, but he was an incapable ambassador, which if you'd paid attention you'd have recognized before now. The rub is we're all paying the price for it now.
@bhcompy
My point is that the House and Senate members are exercising their rights, but Marriott's statement could be seen as trying to influence them from doing so. How are Senators to know a protest will turn violent? And how did those House and Senate members incite an insurrection? How are Josh Hawley and other House and Senate members (I'm referring to them, not Trump) responsible for that, when they are on record stating...
@bhcompy
My point is that the House and Senate members are exercising their rights, but Marriott's statement could be seen as trying to influence them from doing so. How are Senators to know a protest will turn violent? And how did those House and Senate members incite an insurrection? How are Josh Hawley and other House and Senate members (I'm referring to them, not Trump) responsible for that, when they are on record stating before the "Stop the Steal" protest that they will vote against certification and they are within their right to do so (even though many politicians and citizens may disagree with them)?
@Sammy "Marriott’s actions could be interpreted as interference in the political process."
Me not giving you donations is interfering with you. Right.
It's too bad because you read the rest of the situation so well. Marriott is fine with political processes. They're not fine with leveraging those to incite an insurrection.
Here is Marriott's statement, which is the topic of this article:
“We have taken the destructive events at the Capitol to undermine a legitimate and fair election into consideration and will be pausing political giving from our Political Action Committee to those who voted against certification of the election.”
Since many Republican House and Senate members had already stated well before the "Stop the Steal" protest in D.C. that they would vote against certification of...
Here is Marriott's statement, which is the topic of this article:
“We have taken the destructive events at the Capitol to undermine a legitimate and fair election into consideration and will be pausing political giving from our Political Action Committee to those who voted against certification of the election.”
Since many Republican House and Senate members had already stated well before the "Stop the Steal" protest in D.C. that they would vote against certification of the election of Biden, it appears that Marriott is holding them responsible for inciting the capitol riot ("destructive events"). So the bottom line appears to be that it is OK to vote against certification of an election (as democrats and republicans have done in the past), but if it leads to "destructive events" (violent protests), you will be held accountable, even if you did not directly call for attacks or violence. I think both parties will now think twice about ever voting against certification, even if considered legitimate since they will lose donors. Marriott's actions could be interpreted as interference in the political process.
Tiffany,
My question was trying to get you to actually to see that you didn't have anything specific that Trump or these others said that incited the violence. I heard the headlines and did research on it because if I am going to blame someone for something as serious as this and potentially prosecute them I had better be sure that they were guilty of what I said. Let me say this. Trump needs to...
Tiffany,
My question was trying to get you to actually to see that you didn't have anything specific that Trump or these others said that incited the violence. I heard the headlines and did research on it because if I am going to blame someone for something as serious as this and potentially prosecute them I had better be sure that they were guilty of what I said. Let me say this. Trump needs to go. He is a problem for himself and others. But, when I went back to the speech and looked for the rhetoric that the press has been repeating I could not find it. I read the annotated version of the speech that you put in the link above. It has omitted data, alterations and assumptions. Here is a transcipt that I took from Snopes on what he said verbatim:
After this, we’re going to walk down — and I’ll be there with you — we’re going to walk down, we’re going to walk down — anyone you want, but I think right here — we’re going to walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women. And we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them. Because you’ll never take back our country with weakness, you have to show strength, and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing, and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated — lawfully slated. I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your votes heard today.
Here is the same data from the link you sent me:
"So we're going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue..."
197/ "and we're going TO THE CAPITOL" (my emphasis) "and we're going to try and give our Republicans—the weak ones, because the strong ones don't need any of our help—the kind of pride and boldness that they need to TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY" (my emphasis).
Incitement. Insurrection.
198/ "So let's walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. I want to thank you all. God bless you—and God bless America! Thank you all for being here. This is incredible."
The article you sent me specifically left out, "I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your votes heard today." So according to your source the comment that had "peacefully and patriotically" is incitement to insurrection. I think the whole thing was a stupid idea that went really wrong but I don't see how one can take peacefully and patriotically and call that an incitement to insurrection. Perhaps that was the first time that you were aware of that part of the speech.
@ Tom -- I get where you're coming from, for sure. But no, I've watched the whole thing three times now (for my sins).
In the context of the other rhetoric (even if we were to look at this speech by itself, and deconstruct it like an independent piece of writing without any of the physical evidence), the “peacefully” is a tiny appositive (especially when juxtaposed with a priorly-defined "patriotically"), and can't be highlighted...
@ Tom -- I get where you're coming from, for sure. But no, I've watched the whole thing three times now (for my sins).
In the context of the other rhetoric (even if we were to look at this speech by itself, and deconstruct it like an independent piece of writing without any of the physical evidence), the “peacefully” is a tiny appositive (especially when juxtaposed with a priorly-defined "patriotically"), and can't be highlighted as a cornerstone of the speech versus the repeated exhortations to be "strong" to "show strength" to "demand" that folks "not let it happen" (both the certification and Biden being inaugurated), and by so doing, to "save America".
Not to mention that the whole thing is based on an absolute falsehood he's been propagating and ratcheting up the temperature on for months. It culminates in a very intense and powerful speech. And the people who heard it had no doubt they were being asked to "storm the Capitol" to "save the country" -- they said so in statements during and immediately after.
But this is ultimately why impeachment is a very urgent and necessary response. The Senate is the only body with the full authority to properly investigate these kinds of allegations and render a verdict where POTUS is concerned. We'll certainly have endless commissions on the response by various agencies, but having a clear and public examination of Trump's words and actions is going to be important for moving forward as a country.
Corporations can make contributions to whomever they please. This is a free country - at least for now. When a corporation takes a political stance that's an entirely different matter.
A significant proportion of the US population believes the election results were tampered with. Numerous credible experts have presented data suggesting that tampering occurred. For better or worse, there is no absolute way to prove that due to anonymization of ballots. Everyone has a...
Corporations can make contributions to whomever they please. This is a free country - at least for now. When a corporation takes a political stance that's an entirely different matter.
A significant proportion of the US population believes the election results were tampered with. Numerous credible experts have presented data suggesting that tampering occurred. For better or worse, there is no absolute way to prove that due to anonymization of ballots. Everyone has a right to their opinion.
Representatives are elected to do what they believe is in the best interest of the country and their constituents. If you don't like how they voted let them know. However, when a corporation decides to make a political statement, you have to ask why? I am sick of the cancel culture and political correctness and the subsequent breakdown in civil society. I am sick of lay and social media weaponizing the news and overtly manipulating public opinion. I fear the consequences of infringing free speech and the increasingly violent push back that is occurring because we've forgotten how to talk to one another or respect differences in opinion.
I have spent over 1500 nights at Marriott properties. It'll be a cold day in hell before I spend another.
The reason these corporations donate to multiple candidates on both sides is access. If your PAC donates, the politician will meet with your lobbyists. If no donation, no access. Simple as that.
Tiffany, you seem to be very up on this subject. What specifically did President Trump say in his address that was a direct incitement to the violent acts that were perpetrated? And what did those who challenged the electoral votes state explicitly to perform those actions?
@ Tom -- If that is a sincere question, I'd suggest reviewing this annotated version of Trump's Wednesday speech, which contextualizes the rhetoric: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1347908845281095680.html?fbclid=IwAR3gMttPRDVS9ZYlYXTO-HN2vdLW65on-WpU7Pb2MycpDwgRFDxjsBMY6SA
The entire premise of challenging the electoral votes in this fashion is also, broadly, trash, but there's a narrow grey area in there where I have some empathy for people who have been lied to.
@ Tom -- If that is a sincere question, I'd suggest reviewing this annotated version of Trump's Wednesday speech, which contextualizes the rhetoric: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1347908845281095680.html?fbclid=IwAR3gMttPRDVS9ZYlYXTO-HN2vdLW65on-WpU7Pb2MycpDwgRFDxjsBMY6SA
The entire premise of challenging the electoral votes in this fashion is also, broadly, trash, but there's a narrow grey area in there where I have some empathy for people who have been lied to.
@Marco They were trying to execute democratically elected government officials, and disrupting the process for the democratically elected Biden to become POTUS. How is that not a coup?
The unrest at the Capital was not, by definition, a coup attempt or even insurrection. It was essentially right-wing rioting. Same as the left-wing rioting (and lawless looting) that we saw this summer. So I would agree with the commenters that say that these two type of events are perfectly comparable. And both types of events crossed the line of what is acceptable; it's simply wrong of both sides to do it that way when...
The unrest at the Capital was not, by definition, a coup attempt or even insurrection. It was essentially right-wing rioting. Same as the left-wing rioting (and lawless looting) that we saw this summer. So I would agree with the commenters that say that these two type of events are perfectly comparable. And both types of events crossed the line of what is acceptable; it's simply wrong of both sides to do it that way when there are so many other ways to convey opinions and influence the political discourse.
@ Marco -- Hello! You must not have been reading many of the comments this week, so let me catch you up:
Coup, noun: “a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.”
Insurrection, noun: "a violent uprising against an authority or government."
The purpose of the attack on the Capitol was to disrupt the duly-elected government from conducting legislative and ministerial functions, including counting certified votes, and otherwise prevent the peaceful transition...
@ Marco -- Hello! You must not have been reading many of the comments this week, so let me catch you up:
Coup, noun: “a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.”
Insurrection, noun: "a violent uprising against an authority or government."
The purpose of the attack on the Capitol was to disrupt the duly-elected government from conducting legislative and ministerial functions, including counting certified votes, and otherwise prevent the peaceful transition of power within the framework of a democratic republic. It was violent. It was sudden. These words are not used lightly, and they are the correct words.
The events are not comparable, not by any imagination, and it is so wildly irresponsible to conflate vandalism with sedition, giving equal weight to people protesting harm as those committing a planned insurrection, and then having the audacity to complain about liberals, as though there’s anything even remotely conservative about attacking our seat of government, plotting to execute Congresspeople and the Vice President, planting bombs throughout DC, looting offices and stealing confidential documents, and actively harming American democracy in service of violent white nationalist ideals.
Political donations should be disallowed by law, its very much a form of bribery despite what the election law says. Its impossible to separate monetary contribution and favors expected.
I agree with the comments about corporations donating to politicians on both sides of the aisle and what FNT Delta Diamond said.
But what hasn’t been mentioned here is that Marriott is also trying to do a preventive measure …. By getting ahead of the potential “CANCEL culture” vindictive attacks on businesses if one public figure in that business just even says something which one side doesn’t like. I had never bought any Goya...
I agree with the comments about corporations donating to politicians on both sides of the aisle and what FNT Delta Diamond said.
But what hasn’t been mentioned here is that Marriott is also trying to do a preventive measure …. By getting ahead of the potential “CANCEL culture” vindictive attacks on businesses if one public figure in that business just even says something which one side doesn’t like. I had never bought any Goya products before, but I was outraged at the cancel culture trying to damage *ANY* business and so I bought several Goya products as a result.
Marriott is smart to read which way the wind is currently blowing, but it could backfire since half the voters were on the other side . Businesses should be very careful about taking either political side if they don’t want to alienate half their customers. Businesses should just stick with business and avoid politics as much as possible - on either side.
Let’s hope for a happier new year, LOTS of TRAVEL with less politics in 2021.
btw -- If you like aviation like I do, Sun-n-Fun .org (Lakeland, FL) just announced (Jan 8) that their event is ON for April 13-18, 2021.
Tiffany
Thank you for dispatching the illogical nonsense from Just_saying much more eloquently than I ever could.
@ neil @ glenn t -- Thank you. I know it's only a tiny (though very vocal!) minority of our readers that either truly believe this trash, or think trolling is cute, else I would have probably lost my religion several days ago.
And while it is absolutely not enjoyable, I do think it is incumbent on every decent person to be clearly and decisively drawing these lines. The African models for Truth & Reconciliation...
@ neil @ glenn t -- Thank you. I know it's only a tiny (though very vocal!) minority of our readers that either truly believe this trash, or think trolling is cute, else I would have probably lost my religion several days ago.
And while it is absolutely not enjoyable, I do think it is incumbent on every decent person to be clearly and decisively drawing these lines. The African models for Truth & Reconciliation Commissions are likely our best shot at avoiding Balkanized violence, and that starts with clear-cut, accurate categorization of events, and refusing to allow whataboutist distractions.
Here again we have @Jason standing on one leg at the far-right precipice. Take care Jason, it's a lot deeper than last week!
For whatever reason he has decided to rake over the coals of some past individual elections and come up with some inaccurate conclusions/alternative facts (?) to support his deluded world view. We get it; you don't like Democrats, and you don't like Marriott this week, and you're gonna cut up your...
Here again we have @Jason standing on one leg at the far-right precipice. Take care Jason, it's a lot deeper than last week!
For whatever reason he has decided to rake over the coals of some past individual elections and come up with some inaccurate conclusions/alternative facts (?) to support his deluded world view. We get it; you don't like Democrats, and you don't like Marriott this week, and you're gonna cut up your Titanium card ( at which point you'll discover it was only plastic all along!)
Oh, and +1 for @Tiffany's (2) comments above; well said!
Tiffany--you're right....we should all stay away from those who promote: "violent, insurrectionist, sedition"....can't wait to hear you loudly denounce Antifa, BLM, and the numerous left wing groups that openly called for the overthrow of the U.S. government and our 'sacred institutions' ....then burnt buildings/businesses/killed innocent people, attempted to set up their own 'autonomous zones', attacked innocent and spit in the face of police officers, burnt police stations and courthouses, dismantled public spaces, defaced cemeteries (including...
Tiffany--you're right....we should all stay away from those who promote: "violent, insurrectionist, sedition"....can't wait to hear you loudly denounce Antifa, BLM, and the numerous left wing groups that openly called for the overthrow of the U.S. government and our 'sacred institutions' ....then burnt buildings/businesses/killed innocent people, attempted to set up their own 'autonomous zones', attacked innocent and spit in the face of police officers, burnt police stations and courthouses, dismantled public spaces, defaced cemeteries (including our military burial sites), burned a historic church 50 yards from the White House steps (twice), shot two young police officers here in LA (remember that?--didn't hear your outrage then)....also, rioters have attempted to breach the White House grounds numerous times (during Trump, Obama and Bush).....the list goes on and on. You're smarter than this faux outrage.
What happened in DC was terrible.....what's been happening across America for quite some time is also wrong (and yes, they are in the 'same universe'...you simply choose to see it differently and revert to your political priors).
Trying putting your arms around and listening to someone who sees the world differently than you....you'll find we share more in common than you think.
@ Just Sayin’ -- Respectfully, they truly are not the same. It is a categorical error to treat civil unrest, however damaging, as equivalent to a mob incited by the chief executive with intent to disable the seat of the national legislature at the moment of a transition of power to a political rival.
This is not about my political priors (which I have been very open here and in other places about my "political...
@ Just Sayin’ -- Respectfully, they truly are not the same. It is a categorical error to treat civil unrest, however damaging, as equivalent to a mob incited by the chief executive with intent to disable the seat of the national legislature at the moment of a transition of power to a political rival.
This is not about my political priors (which I have been very open here and in other places about my "political priors" being nearly-embarrassingly Republican prior to Trump). It is, however, about my experiences living in the Pacific/Inland Northwest for most of my life (the center of white supremacist outposts in modern America), on top of having an actual graduate degree in post-conflict resolution, with a particular focus on violent nationalism.
I know precisely what I am talking about, and am choosing my words exceedingly carefully.
Thank you for the sanity check, Tiffany.
@Sel, D. Yes because we can’t possibly just agree that an attack on the Capitol was a horrific and unamerican thing. We MUST compare it to the BLM movement or democrats in some way. Otherwise we might have to look in a mirror and realize the GOP is now the party of Anti Semites, racists, people who quote Hitler, and people who beat cops to death.
What does Marriott want? A pat on the back? They waited until after a terrorist attack to do this but they were just fine before with donating to politicians who wanted to overthrow a legitimate election? Gah just disgusting how anti-democratic they were willing to be.
Corporations donate to political causes and candidates for another reason not mentioned above: to show affinity with their employees.
Marriott’s political giving tilted toward Democrats under Arne Sorenson’s growing influence. The family has always been close to the Romneys. Think Utah Huntsman-Romney-Hatch Republicanism, not necessarily Cruz-Palin-Hawkey Republicanism. But the reality is the senior employees at Marriott International aa being based in heavily Democrat Maryland — are going to be liberal and Democrat. Plus, the hotels of Marriott — as a big hotel management company — and its franchisees or their third-party operators means it...
Marriott’s political giving tilted toward Democrats under Arne Sorenson’s growing influence. The family has always been close to the Romneys. Think Utah Huntsman-Romney-Hatch Republicanism, not necessarily Cruz-Palin-Hawkey Republicanism. But the reality is the senior employees at Marriott International aa being based in heavily Democrat Maryland — are going to be liberal and Democrat. Plus, the hotels of Marriott — as a big hotel management company — and its franchisees or their third-party operators means it is more likely to support Democrats because they favor legalization for immigrants who may otherwise work as a hotel maid at a big downtown hotel.
"Like, what does a company actually stand for if it supports both Nancy Pelosi and Josh Hawley?"
Doesn't stand for anything. Those politicians cover different jurisdictions. Hawley might support a bill/rider to ease business regulations that affect hotels as a benefit to tourism in Branson and Pelosi might support a bill/rider that sets aside federal land for the development of a hotel in her district in land poor San Francisco.
Money buys influence and...
"Like, what does a company actually stand for if it supports both Nancy Pelosi and Josh Hawley?"
Doesn't stand for anything. Those politicians cover different jurisdictions. Hawley might support a bill/rider to ease business regulations that affect hotels as a benefit to tourism in Branson and Pelosi might support a bill/rider that sets aside federal land for the development of a hotel in her district in land poor San Francisco.
Money buys influence and businesses don't generally care about social politics because they polarize and, in turn, limit your potential customer base.
The good news is we are getting almost to daily political posts here
We should require the states on ID’s and from the federal government your SSN card and passports to indicate party affiliation so republicans are denied travel, hotel, rental car access or jobs - just for being Republican - actually I hope we pass a law that discloses how everyone voted so we will have endless people to attack
It will be...
The good news is we are getting almost to daily political posts here
We should require the states on ID’s and from the federal government your SSN card and passports to indicate party affiliation so republicans are denied travel, hotel, rental car access or jobs - just for being Republican - actually I hope we pass a law that discloses how everyone voted so we will have endless people to attack
It will be great to get to one party with total control this way private companies won’t have to shut voices down the on behalf of the government.
Glad the doxing, etc continues
It’s making OMAAT the newest place to get trending people we should all be doxing
Can’t wait for a posting doxing a hotel supporting a liberal organization wishing death on someone
Sad sad trend on this sight
As a gay traveler who loves this site - I really want to get back to reading all the great articles this site was known for and start traveling - it was so nice to escape politics and it’s nearly impossible on this site anymore - I’m so sad
@ Anonymous -- What an absolutely asinine comment. If you can't make the distinction between not wanting to fund violent, insurrectionist, sedition and normal political disagreements, I find it highly unlikely that there is any further clarity that could be added to post headlines to help you filter out the topics you prefer not to read about. It's not like this was titled "You'll Never Guess What Marriott Did Today" to bait you into reading...
@ Anonymous -- What an absolutely asinine comment. If you can't make the distinction between not wanting to fund violent, insurrectionist, sedition and normal political disagreements, I find it highly unlikely that there is any further clarity that could be added to post headlines to help you filter out the topics you prefer not to read about. It's not like this was titled "You'll Never Guess What Marriott Did Today" to bait you into reading about something -- "Political" is right there in the title.
Meanwhile, we've received countless comments and questions from readers who are very interested in knowing what companies (particularly travel companies) are doing in the current environment. Decent people rightly don't want to be funding fascist movements, and the pictures and videos from DC hotel lobbies on Wednesday night are drawing a lot of attention.
Ben writes 50-60 posts a week. There's no expectation that each of them will appeal to each of the millions of people who visit this site.
@Shawn - he won’t resign (neither will Cruz) and there is no effective way to make him. Also neither of them supported the riot, only raised issues concerning integrity of the election.
I don’t buy into there being enough fraud to overturn the election and admitted the day after that Biden won (even before votes were all counted) based on trends and info on remaining votes. However I do feel there needs to be...
@Shawn - he won’t resign (neither will Cruz) and there is no effective way to make him. Also neither of them supported the riot, only raised issues concerning integrity of the election.
I don’t buy into there being enough fraud to overturn the election and admitted the day after that Biden won (even before votes were all counted) based on trends and info on remaining votes. However I do feel there needs to be better oversight of the election process abs that there were almost certainly illegitimate votes (on both sides).
Get over trying to penalize these 2 and look to the future.
Agreed! @RegencyRules
It’s common practice for corporations to donate to a wide variety of politicians on both sides of the aisle. Some companies will support some obscure races for very specific reasons.
Personally, I’ll never give a penny to any politician. They’re all an embarrassment.
Good. Defending and supporting rioters should never be tolerated, on either side of the aisle. They should also cut funding to anyone who supported, defended, or incentivized the actions of the rioters in MN, including Kamala Harris for promoting the bail fund.
In 2005 Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D) of OH along with Senator Barbara Boxer (D) of CA contested the electors on the floor of the house, stating the election was fraudulent due to inaccuracies in the Ohio vote count. In 2016 famously, Hillary Clinton claimed the election was stolen due to Trump campaign collusion with the Russian govt. Although debunked after millions of wasted tax payer dollars, Clinton and a large majority of Democrats continue to...
In 2005 Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D) of OH along with Senator Barbara Boxer (D) of CA contested the electors on the floor of the house, stating the election was fraudulent due to inaccuracies in the Ohio vote count. In 2016 famously, Hillary Clinton claimed the election was stolen due to Trump campaign collusion with the Russian govt. Although debunked after millions of wasted tax payer dollars, Clinton and a large majority of Democrats continue to peddle this fake news. In 2018, Left Wing hero Stacey Abrams asserted that the Republican candidate who was then Secretary of State, stole the election by using his influence as SOS to affect the outcome. In 2000, a popular left wing refrain was “selected not elected” popularized by the month long vote recounts in Florida, after candidate Al Gore filed lawsuit after lawsuit seeking to overturn the result of the election. For 4 years democrats repeated the fake news that George Bush colluded with Jen Bush (then governor of Florida) to steal the elections. For 21 years democrats have insisted every election that they’ve lost has been stolen. THE FIRST time a Republican says it, suddenly its sedition. Marriott is a shameful panderer to a cultural climate that only favors one opinion. It’s disgusting and pathetic. As a titanium member I’m sure they won’t miss my dollar, but to act as if they’re principled, by selectively choosing to pull funding for the same activity democrats have been getting away with for years, is a bridge too far for me.
@ Jason -- And yet, none of those people incited a violent mob to attempt to execute the Vice President.
Get it together. This stuff isn't even in the same universe.
Corporate PACs can only donate 5k per cycle per candidate I believe. So the amounts are always small.
Also, typically the way it works is that employees contribute to the PAC, but they don't choose where the donations go. The administrators of the PAC make those decisions.
I couldn’t possibly dislike Trump and the loony right more, but this is just corporate sleazebags bending with the wind, seeking to take advantage of the public mood. It’s both knee-jerk and pathetically inappropriate.
Next item on the agenda, please:
How are you modifying the elite qualification standards for 2021, Marriott?
Butt-hurt MAGA snowflakes in 5... 4... 3...
Josh Hawley will be lucky to still be in the senate soon after this. He played with fire and like most who have got severely burned. They’re already calling for his removal. Hopefully Claire runs again. She understands what Missouri actually needs.
Any bet for Trump long term is a loser bet regardless of if it’s business or political.
Marriott's PACs (and those of other large corporations) will donate to two groups: 1) those who ideologically agree with policies that directly benefit the corporate interest or 2) anyone who looks like they are going to win/are an incumbent. The second especially applies for politicians whose positions are significant to the given industry (e.g. committee assignments, etc.) because a PAC who gave will be able to get access to talk to that politicians staff and...
Marriott's PACs (and those of other large corporations) will donate to two groups: 1) those who ideologically agree with policies that directly benefit the corporate interest or 2) anyone who looks like they are going to win/are an incumbent. The second especially applies for politicians whose positions are significant to the given industry (e.g. committee assignments, etc.) because a PAC who gave will be able to get access to talk to that politicians staff and voice the corporate interest's speech. This is the American pressure system in action.
That said, I applaud Marriott here - supporting sedition should be unacceptable. And, I'll let Marriott know that as one of a million Titaniums, I do appreciate them taking that stand.
Corporations almost always contribute to both parties because at one time or another one of the parties will have the power. Prior to 1980s the US didn't have PACs (or they were very few that weren't all the powerful) and the country was better off without them. And this is from someone that fully supports the free market not Marxism. But companies should be in the business of business and competition not political making.
@ Ben -- I don't understand ANYONE giving politicians money. No matter how interested in politics I made be, I will NEVER donate money to them.
You're missing a big point - the donations don't come from Marriott, but from its employees. Marriott itself only pays for administration.
This explains the contradicting donations - different employees sorry different candidates and parties.
The choice of who to donate to depend on many things. It mostly comes down to which party will help them expand there business. Historically Republicans with lower regulations and taxes.
Recently that has changed as company value the stability that democrats in recent years have stood for. For example the reason why companies are speaking out now is because an unstable government is bad for business. Fewer people will want to travel and...
The choice of who to donate to depend on many things. It mostly comes down to which party will help them expand there business. Historically Republicans with lower regulations and taxes.
Recently that has changed as company value the stability that democrats in recent years have stood for. For example the reason why companies are speaking out now is because an unstable government is bad for business. Fewer people will want to travel and stay at there hotels. Georgia run off have also were some of the most expensive elections of there scale in recent years as if one republican won then there would be divided government and it allows for a stable regulatory environment and limit any large scale changes that could limit there business.
“I don’t really get the way that big corporations go about making donations”
Are you really this naive?
They donate to both sides because both sides may at times be useful to them.
They donate to politicians in the committees that effect their business, and also the leaders that might be useful.
The amount listed is almost nothing compared to the volume of Marriott's business. I suspect they spend most money via other channels to gain political influence.
Such an American thing to do. Corporations donating to political campaigns.. weird.