Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, In-N-Out and Pizza Hut are all popular fast food chains people enjoy, but a portion of their profits go to support groups or causes, with which customers may not agree. All of these companies are affiliated with funding political action committees that support the Republican party for 2020.
Endorsing a PAC for a political party is notable for many companies. In 2008, Google endorsed President Barack Obama for the 2008 election and again in 2012. And it’s not uncommon for CEOs to support their political interests. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has stated his support for the Democratic and Liberal party, said in an article by the “Washington Post.”
The CEO for New Balance shoes and the chairman for Marvel Entertainment have personally donated money to President Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign, according to http://www.grabyourwallet.org.
If a customer likes a restaurant that donates to an opposing political party, it may not mean they have to stop eating their favorite chicken sandwich.
However, it means the person needs to carry more responsibility in tracking where their dollar goes.
In 2018, In-n-Out donated $25,000 to the California GOP as widely reported by multiple news outlets. Though the money does not go directly to President Trump, it does go to the Republican Party.
It is no secret that Trump has vocalized his conservative stance on immigration, gun control and environmental issues. The red hat that quotes Trump’s slogan Make America Great Again have become an immediate symbol to those who support the president.
Some may not care where their money ends up when they go out to eat. People must be aware that buying their favorite cheeseburger could mean supporting a political party they strongly oppose.
Eating at In-n-Out or Pizza Hut doesn’t directly put a MAGA hat on someone’s head, but the money becomes affiliated with the party led by Trump. A Democrat who buys a chicken biscuit at Chick-fil-A or a double-double at In-n-Out would not be pleased to know that their hard-earned money goes to the Republican party.
Especially when companies like Chick-fil-A have directly donated to Trump’s reelection, in that these companies make it clear to the public where their money is going to.
Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy has said marriage should be between a man and a woman. Chick-fil-A’s spending history shows it has donated millions of dollars to defeat marriage equality back in 2012, as said by the “New York Times” and the “Wall Street Journal.”
Since Chick-fil-A has made it clear their politics are very conservative, a person who identifies as a Democrat or Liberal should know that what they are eating is not aligned with their own politics. It does not make them a “bad” Democrat or liberal, but it does contradict their politics if the person is saying they believe one thing but putting their money towards a company that believes the opposite.
Boycotting these restaurants is not going to put them out of business, but a person ought to be cautious about where their money is going when the restaurant is not aligned with their personal beliefs.
If a Democrat can look past the fact their money is connected to Republican spending, it puts it into question on where their politics are actually established. Is it at their favorite restaurant or only at the ballot box?
Again, going to Chick-fil-A or In-N-Out does not put a bright red MAGA hat on a person’s head, but it does put the person on a thin line of where their true beliefs lie.
Organizations such as
http://www.grabyourwallet.org and
http://www.opensecrets.org offer information about how certain franchises use their revenue. Go ahead, enjoy your food, but know where the money is going.
