Mar 12, 2012
The Securities and Exchange Commission
Dear Securities and Exchange Commission,
I have an extensive retirement portfolio of a wide variety of publicly
held stock. I vote dutifully on all shareholder and board resolutions.
Several times I have voted for a shareholder's resolution that would
require the corporate board to reveal political contributions, but
these have been rejected for a variety of reasons related to corporate
power and profitability. Nonetheless I believe strongly that I should
know how a corporation in which I am a part owner is donating to
political causes. This won't happen until the SEC requires all
publicaly-traded corporations to do the same. The SEC must establish
an even playing field, and protect shareholder rights.
I urge the Securities and Exchange Commission to require all
publicly-traded corporations to disclose their political contributions,
and prevent CEOs and corporate boards from from secretly funding their
own political beliefs from corporate treasuries.
Sincerely,
Stephen Bachhuber