1. @Microsoft is one of the largest contributors to the members of Congress who tried to subvert the Democratic process
Microsoft has made NO COMMITMENTS to stop funding this group
At a company meeting on Thursday, Prez Brad Smith explained why.
And it's pretty appalling
@Microsoft 2. In a transcript of the meeting leaked to CNBC, Smith said that @Microsoft needs to make contributions to politicians because sending these politicians money allows him to "pick up the phone" and get "help"
@Microsoft 3. Smith says @Microsoft is going to continuing to give lots of politicians money because this "help" -- which includes help on "tax issues" -- is "important"
Apparently more important than the integrity of the democratic process.
@Microsoft 4. We've maintained a list of companies who have pledged to suspend donations to the 147 members of Congress who objected to the electoral college.
On DECEMBER 30, 2020: Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) announced he would object to the certification of the electoral college
On DECEMBER 31, 2020: @Microsoft donated $2500 to Hawley
@Microsoft@HawleyMO 6. Why does a top @Microsoft executive feel comfortable saying this kind of stuff out loud? Because corporations have been able to get away with it for so long
But things are changing
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UPDATE: @Microsoft will announce by FEBRUARY 15 whether it will “suspend further donations to individuals who voted against certification of the Electoral College.”
@Microsoft 2. Unclear why @Microsoft isn't making a decision now but it appears to be signaling that it will cut off donations to this group: "The company believes that opposition to the Electoral College undermined American democracy and should have consequences."
3. The announcement comes the day after a leaked transcript showed @Microsoft President Brad Smith defending PAC donations as "important" because they allow Microsoft to get access and "help" from politicians
2. @LillyPad (Eli Lilly) has suspended contributions to members of Congress who objected to the Electoral College. The company told Popular Information that the same policy applies to members of the PA legislature who opposed certification.