“We hope that you will consider attending the breakfast and contributing $2,500-$5,000 in order to ensure the success of this event. Federal election law permits individuals to contribute a total of $2,500 per election ($5,000 for primary and general election combined)… To donate, please fill out the contributor form and send any checks or credit card contributions directly to the campaign, please do not forward contributions to our offices or to any Morgan Stanley staff.”
~Email to Morgan Stanley Corporate Employees Signed by all the Major Executives
What Morgan Stanley is doing is legal, and it should also be noted that the CEO John Mack sent out an email like this for Hillary Clinton during her run for President in 2008. Having said that … it’s very clear that if you want to be regarded well at your company – you tow the company line. Failure to fall in line can lead to being looked upon as an outsider … so – these wealthy traders will either happily or reluctantly maximize their donations to the candidate that their company tells them to. Morgan Stanley will make it worth their while on their next bonus. In reality – this is just a way for Morgan Stanley to write a huge check directly from them to their favorite candidate – Mitt Romney.
And while this is legal under existing law – it shouldn’t be. Employees should never be solicited for donations to political or religious organizations – ever.
It is often said that Barack Obama is owned by Wall Street … and yet – 92% of all Wall Street donations have gone to the Republican party. (source)
If you want to see just how much Wall Street hates President Obama with visceral disdain – read HERE.
Talking Points Memo has the email HERE:
Read the full text of the email:
From: Holzschuh, Jeffrey
sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 2:50 PM
subject: an invitation to meet with Mitt RomneyWe are writing to invite you to a breakfast on July 9 in support of Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts and Republican nominee for President of the united states. The breakfast will be held at 8:00 a.m. on the 41st floor of 1585 Broadway.
Mitt Romney has had an extraordinarily successful private and public sector career. From 1978-1984, he advised companies as a Vice President at the management consulting firm of Bain & Company. In 1984, Romney founded Bain Capital, one of the nation’s most successful venture capital and investment companies. He first gained national recognition for his role in turning around the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics that were mired in controversy and facing significant financial crisis.
In November of 2002, Mitt Romney was elected Governor of Massachusetts and presided over a dramatic reversal of the state’s fortunes. Without raising taxes or increasing debt, Governor Romney balanced the state budget every year of his administration and closed an inherited $3 billion budget gap. over the last several years, he has expanded his nationwide political network by tirelessly recruiting, mentoring and fundraising for Republican candidates’ for Governor, senate and House races.
We hope that you will consider attending the breakfast and contributing $2,500-$5,000 in order to ensure the success of this event. Federal election law permits individuals to contribute a total of $2,500 per election ($5,000 for primary and general election combined). Please CLICK HERE if you plan to attend the event. To donate, please fill out the contributor form and send any checks or credit card contributions directly to the campaign, please do not forward contributions to our offices or to anyMorgan Stanley staff.
Because this event has been pre-cleared with the Legal and Compliance Department, you do not have to individually pre-clear contributions made to Romney for President between now and July 9. Contributions to other candidates, party committees or causes must of course be pre-cleared with Compliance through the PCT system. As always, your participation here is completely voluntary and no employee will be benefitted or disadvantaged by the amount they give or their decision not to contribute.
This event is only open for eligible Morgan Stanley employees. You should not forward this invitation or invite anyone else without checking first with us and the Compliance Department.
Thanks again for your consideration of this event.
Sincerely,
Henry D’alessandro, Paul Fossati, Grant Gregory, Jr., Patrick Haskell, Jeff Holzschuh, John Mack, steve Munger, Jim Rosenthal, Andy Saperstein, John Sargent and William Strong
Contributions are not tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes. Individuals may contribute up to $2,500 per election.
Contributions from corporations and foreign nationals are prohibited. Contributions are voluntary and will not impact employment decisions.
Invitation for recipient only, please do not forward.
