February 2, 2013
Dear Members of the Securities and Exchange Commission:
It's long past time to end secret political spending by corporations.
So I strongly support the SEC issuing a rule in the near future that would require publicly traded corporations to publicly disclose all their spending on political activities.
Both shareholders and the public deserve to know how much a given corporation spends on politics (directly and through intermediaries), and which candidates are being promoted or attacked.
As a shareholder in multiple corporations, I am inscensed that money which should be paid to me in dividends as a return on my investment is being squandered on political contributions without my approval as an OWNER of the company. All non essential operarting expenses should require majority shareholder approval before being authorized. You are stealing my money when you waste it on political contributions which are often contrary to my beliefs without my authorization. Your job is to run the company in a profitable manner, not engage in partisan politics with company resources. Cease this inequity or face legal action in civil and CRIMINAL court. The days of impunity for crimes committed by corporate executives is COMING TO AN END.
Thank you for considering my comment.
Sincerely,
James Burnham