“Should investors care about the political beliefs of executives? According to the managers of the Blue Fund, a mutual fund launched in the US in time for the mid-term elections, they should. The name (as in ‘blue states’) shows it is designed for Democrats. But its also shows Republicans how to invest in line with their politics,” John Authers reports for The Financial Times. “Blue Fund looks at the political donations a company has made from corporate political action committees, and from the pockets of its three most senior executives.”
“The research has yielded lists of ‘red’ and ‘blue’ companies, which gave 95 per cent of their donations to Republicans and Democrats respectively over the past 10 years. The bluest include Google, Apple Computer, Starbucks and Costco. The reddest include Exxon Mobil, Union Pacific, International Paper, Halliburton and Dell,” Authers reports.
“Over the five years to June this year, the blue index gained 139 per cent, compared with 34 per cent for the S&P 500, which in turn beat the red index. Even excluding recent stars Google and Apple, the blues are easily ahead,” Authers writes. “How seriously should we take this? It may be a fluke. Republicans could argue that after such a rally it looks time to sell blue stocks, and they should dispute the Blue Fund’s contention that Apple’s principles have helped it to be more innovative than Dell. Dell’s political conservatism did not stop it from revolutionising its industry in the 1990s.”
Authers reports, “Under President Bill Clinton, Dell grew at 93.8 per cent per year, according to Bloomberg data, while Apple fell at a 4.6 per cent annual clip. Under President George W. Bush, Dell has limped along at 3.8 per cent a year, while Apple grew at 47.5 per cent.”
Full article (subscription required) here.
Authers’ use of the word “innovative” in relation to Dell is unfortunate. Apple, which does it all, is clearly vastly more innovative than the Wal-Martesque PC box assembler Dell, regardless of politics. The political party of the U.S. President has about as much effect on the fortunes of Apple and Dell as Punxsutawney Phil has on the weather (although one might argue that Microsoft’s slap on the wrist vs. more severe penalties in the U.S. DOJ antitrust case was by some measure related to the administration in charge and could’ve changed the dynamics of the Mac vs. Windows market).
Related articles:
RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser out $9.8 million as ‘Air America’ goes bankrupt – October 14, 2006
What’s on Hilary Clinton’s Apple iPod? – May 22, 2006
Rush Limbaugh and Apple Computer to intro new podcast service via iTunes – March 08, 2006
President Bush shows off his Apple iPod (link to video) – December 16, 2005
Rush Limbaugh announces video podcasts for Apple iPod starting December 12th – November 30, 2005
President Bush’s weekly radio address podcasts available via Apple’s iTunes Music Store – August 11, 2005
Rush Limbaugh: ‘I am the hottest thing in podcasting’ – June 09, 2005
Rush Limbaugh and Apple Computer working to bring podcasts of radio show to iTunes Music Store – May 17, 2005
Rush Limbaugh says ‘Mac OS X Tiger Rocks,’ posts link to free Rush advertisement for Mac – April 30, 2005
President Bush’s use of iPod a lucky or bad break for Apple Computer? – April 18, 2005
President Bush’s Apple iPod features eclectic list of downloaded tunes – April 11, 2005
Die Welt: U.S President George Bush is ‘the Steve Jobs of World Politics’ – February 25, 2005
What’s on U.S. President Bush’s Apple iPod? – February 23, 2005
The Hill: Put Rush Limbaugh on Apple’s board of directors; he could sell tons of Macs – January 26, 2005
U.S. President George Bush a confirmed Apple iPod user (images included) – December 22, 2004
Rush Limbaugh calls for Apple iCal to Sidekick solution – November 12, 2004
Apple CEO Steve Jobs: ‘I’m going to just stay away from all that political stuff’ – August 25, 2004
President Bush, candidate Kerry both use Apple PowerBooks – July 14, 2004
Baltimore Sun: Vice President Dick Cheney a confirmed Apple iPod user – April 01, 2004
Rush Limbaugh: Why does Apple put politics first? – June 27, 2003
Rush Limbaugh comments on Gored Apple – March 21, 2003
The Mac is Bush to Windows’ Clinton (opinion) – October 25, 2002
Conservative Mac users miffed at Apple’s Jimmy Carter page – October 14, 2002
It is not that hard to see that if a rich company gets a tax break than they have the option to give some of that money away to its employees. I am not poor but I am not rich either. Me and my wife bring in combined $65,000 to $75,000. We live in the south so it is decent. Most of my friends have a combined income of $100,000. All I know is that the company that I worked for I would get a bonus of $4,000 under clinton and when bush got into office each year It went up. I did so well last year that could start my own company.
So all in all I am glad the rich get tax cuts because I have prospered because they did, and you can not argue about that.
It should be the other way around.
Red for dems, lefties and commies.
Blue for true blue, God fearing Americans.
Ron, have you not noticed most of the world find your simplistic view of “commies and lefties” stupid, dumb and arrogant.
As for your “true blue god fearing americans” ideology, most of the world hate that too
H
I have been a Mac owners for ~12 years. I am also a strong conservative. So, as I read some of the comments above, albeit most are completely uniformed, I have included four (4) reasons why tax cuts are good. Now I do not want to start a political war but, ladies and gentlemen – facts are facts and these are rather hard to explain away. So do a quick read and then get back to our beloved Macs….
Reason #1. The economy is kicking butt. It is robust, vibrant, strong and growing. In the 36 months since the Bush tax cuts ended the recession that began under President Clinton, the economy has experienced astonishing growth. Over the first half of this year, our economy grew at a strong 4.1 percent annual rate, faster than any other major industrialized nation. This strong economic activity has generated historic revenue growth that has shrunk the deficit. A continued commitment to spending restraint has also contributed to deficit reduction.
Reason #2. Unemployment is almost nil for a major economy, and is verging on full employment. Recently, jobless claims fell to the lowest level in 10 weeks. Employment increased in 48 states over the past 12 months ending in August. Our economy has now added jobs for 37 straight months.
Reason #3. The Dow is hitting record highs. In the past few days, the Dow climbed above 12,000 for the first time in the history of the stock market, thus increasing the value of countless pension and 401(k) that funds many Americans rely on for their retirement years.
Reason #4. Wages have risen dramatically. According to the Washington Post, demand for labor helped drive workers’ average hourly wages, not including those of most managers, up to $16.84 last month — a 4 percent increase from September 2005, the fastest wage growth in more than five years. Nominal wage growth has been 4.1 percent so far this year. This is better or comparable to its 1990s peaks. Over the first half of 2006, employee compensation per hour grew at a 6.3 percent annual rate adjusted for inflation. Real after-tax income has risen a whopping 15 percent since January 2001. Real after-tax income per person has risen by 9 percent since January 2001.
My God!
The utter crap that’s blazoned in the name of either party is stunning. And even more amazing are the wingnuts that believe and subscribe to this tripe — on *both sides*! The bald, ridiculous assumptions; the pandering to the lowest denominator of prejudice! Wake up idiots both red and blue before you destroy what little is left of a once great country!
All I can think is to quote Shakespeare:
A PLAGUE ON BOTH YOUR HOUSES!
You better checkthe methods that were used to generate your facts:
#1 “The economy is kicking butt”
Yes, but only for the top 10% of the country. The rest have stagnant wages, lost healthcare (a 10% decline in employers of 200 or less and a 1% decline inthose of over 200).
#2 “Unemployment is almost nil”
Tell that the thousands who ahve been downsized, to those over 50 who can’t find another job, and the furniture, automotive, steel, airline, etc., industries. There have been new jobs – they just don’t cover the numebrs entering the workforce and are *not* high paying jobs.
#3 “The Dow is hitting record highs”
See #1. It’s only for the top 10% or fewer that this makes increasing wealth – and it’s growing at the expense of the lower class.
#4 “Wages have risen dramatically”
Again – check and see where these wages are. Congress has voted itself at least 3 increases since the last time they increased the minimum wage a decade ago.
Just look at the historical data of the Gini index available at the Census Bureau. The distribution on wealth inthe US is now ranked at 46 – this puts on a par with most African nations. The waelth is concentrated in the top 2% of the population. “Trickle down” doesn’t fly – it’s “trickle on” we’re giving the majority of the population.
And I firmly thank the Repub’s fo this situation.
As to the original premise of this thread: Microsoft’s donation to the Repub’s grew exponentially during the 90’s. It paid off pretty well inthe 2000’s: they were convicted of abuse under Clinton, and let off by Bush.
Apples are green and red, not blue.
red and blue states are how the networks choose to graphically show election results on TV. They used to alternate between elections until Florida and the hanging chads.
As a European I would like to point out something that a lot of U.S. Americans, whether Democrats or Republicans, don’t seem to understand.
It’s the religious fundamentalists and over-zealous patriots that are the problem in the world. They are responsible for repression, torture and wars, wherever they are.
The majority of U.S. Americans recognize this truism (and rightly so) in the Muslim world, but make the fatal mistake of not recognizing it in their own country (Bush is a Christian zealot who has started wars and institutionalized torture) or, e.g., Israel, where the Jewish fundamentalists sabotage all attempts at a peace settlement with the Palestinians, and the Palestinian fundamentalists sabotage all attempts at a settlement with Israel.
There are countless other examples.
Religious fundamentalism = evil.
“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” (Samual Johnson)
OK Heroin
Time to put the needle down and remove the tourniquet from your neck, cause I’m gonna have to take you to the Woodshed of Reality.
First of all, let me preface by saying I believe liberalism has had good and bad effects on society, and enlightened decent is good for the national discussion. Enlighteded is the key word. If you really want people to respect your opinion, research some facts first.
1)Habeas Corpus is not applicable in time of war to enemies of the state. Please show where this has been suspended for an American not charged with treason.
2)The law giving the President the ability to wiretap was signed by Bill Clinton.
3)When you are captured in battle, it is understood that you are an enemy of our country. That is the charge.
4)The definition of torture is so misused it is impossible to convey what real torture is, permanent physical dissability.
5)Stem cell research is not against any laws. You are sorely mistaken. Compare the funding Bush has provided vs. Clinton. It is simply not allowed to use Federal funding for new strains of EMBRYONIC stem cell research. All else is allowed.
6)There are no restriction on reproductive rights. There are some on the killing of unborn children for people who did NOT control their reproduction.
7)Will someone please give me an example of their freedom of speech being trampled???? I’m begging.
You need to look up theocracy. It is what we are fighting AGAINST!!!
I look forward to any logical replies.
Charles is right.
I’d add another paraphrased bit of wisdom:
Being a super-power corrupts, being the only super-power corrupts absolutely.
This is lame. Nobody should make investments based on their political bend. It makes no sense financially. So if you are a democrat, and purchase the Blue Fund, do you purchase the Red Fund to balance your portfolio? Lame.
WHY DOES EVERYTHING END UP AS PARTISAN BULLSHIT!? I AM GROWING VERY WEARY OF IT!
Ah, I feel better now, whew.
What the USA really needs is a clearout on Capitol Hill. You should all vote out every incumbent standing this November, whatever their party. They’re all so busy with their noses in the trough of corporate cash, they’ve completely forgotten that it’s the American people they’re supposed to be representing.
Send everyone in DC a message and vote for REAL change. Put new people into every position you can, and keep doing it every election until they get the point.
Charles
Please announce your origin. European is too easy.
Not Rick
1) there is no such thing as full employment. We are almost as close as we can get. There has always been, and always will be, a certain percent unemployed. It is lower than than Socialist states.
2)Do you have a milkman or use a cobbler? Have ice delivered? A stable boy? Society has been evolving for quite awhile. If you try to freeze it, you become,well, French.
3)The Dow is at record highs. When has this ever affected the common man? Always. Put down the Manifesto, comrad, and pick up Forbes.
4)I would prefer Congress make enough as to not be inticed to bribery. The minimum wage argument is a sham. Why don’t we set it at $75,000.00? Anyone who expects to support a family on minimum wage is not very motivated.
5)Please show were the court changed its argument against Microsoft when Clinton left.
This is too much. Sometimes it’s fun to read the posts on MDN just to see how people can get so polarized about billion dollar companies(of all things). But to get politics injected into this forum is too much.
Why not garner race and religion info about computer users and draw a line on those too? Are Catholics more likely to use Windows? Will Baptists like Leopard more than Tiger? Do minorities “feel” that Apple represent them better?
Ridiculous….
WOW! It just goes to show you how “polling data” is a bunch of crap. It’s pretty obvious that the smart computer users of both political parties can agree on one thing… Macs are better than PCs, and that it looks like it’s pretty deverse down political lines. What I’d like to know is where the hell does this “data” come from, and who puts it together? I’m really tried of being reduced to a statistic by places like Gallup or whoever by their random collating of B.S.
Shoot… and here I thought there was going to be some interesting Bungie/Apple related action. Puma.. heehee
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
As a republican I have no problem making lots of money off democratic companies like Apple. Thanks Steve!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
Not Rick,
Please back up your responses to Rick. Where are you getting that information?
The data comes from liberal owned polling companies backed by the liberal media to try to trick the public into believing that everything’s already decided. These bafoons are proven wrong time and again. Thank God!
What the hell does it matter who the president is and what party he belongs to? For the love of PETE!! Open your damn eye holes and start to think about it. When did the president dictate anything financial in this country…..NEVER! And while we are on the subject, Democrats and Republicans are basically the same thing anyway.
Frankly all the US vs THEM crap makes me sick.
For example I used to have a lot of respect for John McCain until he said that he would rather commit suicide if the Democrats gained power in the house and senate.
Where is these guys loyalties? To their parties or the people they are elected to represent? This guy used to be above that and now since he has got the “fever to be President” he caters to the religious nuts, panders to the neocon base with that remark. He has lost whatever respect I had for him.
I am nauseated by people who can’t see past their parties and only can demonize all those who don’t follow their point of view. In that Bush/Cheney have succeeded finally in one thing. Great record idiots.
Sadly this is not new to American politics, it can be traced even back to Jefferson with his backstabing of Washington and Adams.
While a necessity of sorts I would elect a wet dishrag if it would put the common good and sound judgement above what is good for it’s party, cronnies or loby. Maybe I am just crazy.
Here is Dell’s Mindset… this is an offical dell “viral” video…
bloody idiots.
MDN, please, please, PLEASE try to keep this a politics-free zone. It is *SO* tiresome otherwise