As I write this, I'm enjoying a late breakfast at Jeannine's in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, before I head over to to wedding of this site's former Managing Editor, Nick, to the love of his life, Lisa.
As I perused the print edition of the Los Angeles Times, I came across an article explaining how Apple Computer has donated $100,000 to defeat Proposition 8, the Protect Marriage Act. That's unfortunate — I think that Apple's Board of Directors (whom I assume would authorize such a donation) should stay focused on their core mission as a supplier of cool electronics to consumers.
That said, I draw a pretty sharp distinction between Apple's donation, and the even larger contribution against 8 that came from Pacific Gas and Electric, the Bay Area's largest electric utility company.
Apple is a company that sells products in a market with vibrant competition. This means that if you disagree with the political donations of Apple, Inc., you can stop buying their products (or buy more if you “like” their politics). Apple has to weigh potential impact on their sales when they do this kind of thing.
PG&E on the other hand enjoys a monopoly where it provides power. Which is to say that their customers, short of embracing the stone-age, cannot stop “buying” their product. Shame on PG&E's Board of Directors for engaging in ideological giving with ratepayer dollars. I'm sorry for my many Bay Area friend who are voting for 8, that are having some portion of their PG&E payment going against a political measure that they support.
October 27th, 2008 at 12:00 am
I do not think it matters who they donate to. It is their money, not mine. Therefore, it is none of my business. No matter Apple’s stand I will still buy from it.