Santorum got Outback campaign funds, backed bill

[scoopmeister]

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/11448380.htm

Executives for Outback Steakhouses chain hosted a Florida fund-raiser for GOP Sen. Rick Santorum just days after the Pennsylvanian pushed in the Senate for the donor's pet issue: Blocking higher minimum pay for restaurant workers.

Outback's political action committee gave $5,000 to Santorum's campaign in January and then, according to several reports, company executives threw a March 30 fund-raising luncheon in Tampa for the senator.

In between the initial PAC donation and the Tampa event, where Outback's PAC gave another $3,000 to Santorum's campaign, the senator - who faces a tough re-election battle next year - introduced a sweeping amendment to overhaul federal minimum-wage and overtime law.

Although the Santorum amendment, which was voted down, would have raised the federal minimum wage by $1 to $6.15 an hour, it also contained a little-noticed provision sought by the restaurant industry, and particularly the 70,000-employee Outback chain.

The provision would have barred states and localities from passing laws to raise the minimum base pay for tipped restaurant workers, who currently can be paid as little as $2.13 an hour.

You can also read a longer version of the story, with more "attytood," at this link:

http://www.pnionline.com/dnblog/attytood/archives/001745.html

[lanlady]

1. wow, Man-on-Dog is a cheap date

For a mere 5K, Santorum will sell out tens of thousands of young people who wait tables.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. and old people, too

around here, there are a lot of older wait staff-maybe not at Outback, but at other restaurants.

[warrens]

14. The fundraiser probably got him a lot more than $5K

These are the same clowns who flew that hag Harris to the Kentucky Derby (totally illegal) and have filled Jeb and The Giggling Murderer's pockets full of cash.

[wakeme2008]

3. Florida voters upped the min. wage in the 2004

election. That would effect Outbacks large number of Florida workers. Funny how that is...

[LynneSin]

4. EVERYONE needs to boycott Outback

EVERYONE!!!

[warrens]

15. I ate there once, back before I knew who they were

I won't EVER go there, or to Wal-Mart or to Chick Fil-A or to Domino's or to any other business that promotes right wing causes.

[freedom_to_read]

21. Trust me it's not hard... OUTBACK SUCKS

Every town has a locally owned "steer house," go there for your steak, baked potato and stuffed mushroom needs.

Outback provides crappy, generic tasting food, and their faux Australian gimmick isn't fooling anyone.

[PA Democrat]

5. Isn't there a great Santorum quote on the topic of wages for waiters/

waitresses? As I recall, it was pretty damn callous, even for Ricky Sanctimonious.

[freestyle]

6. Wow, bad politics and bad food.

I got a gift certificate for Outback once. The food was just bad. I can't understand why anyone would eat there, much less wait to do so. The only redeeming thing was that it didn't cost me any money. Otherwise, a total waste of time and taste buds.

[livinginphotographs]

7. I always hated Outback anyway.

Shitty beer selection, expensive crappy food, and the wait is always too long.

And they've added one more reason not to go.

[Orsino]

8. "Man On Dog" now "Corporate On Man"

For a fella worried about sex with box turtles, he's a pretty eager corporate "bottom."

[malachi]

11. He's always been C on M. Check out his voting record. Not once

has the prick voted for anything that would benefit the average citizen and not once has he misssed an opportunity to help his dear friends in corp amerika stick it to the people he is supposed to be representing. A true first ballot hall of fame piece of shit is ol' Man-on-Dog.

[AzDar]

9. Should be titled: "Bloomin' Onion for Bloomin' Idiot"....... lol

eom

[wallwriter]

10. Santorum is truly loathsome

On the plus side, maybe the campaign to defeat his ass in the next election can bring in some national funds.

[AlCzervik]

12. Wow it only cost $8,000 to buy a politcian these days.

[CO Liberal]

13. Guess I've Eaten My Last Meal At Outback

I'll miss their bloomin' onion....

But I recently discovered Applebee's, and they're pretty good.

[Danmel]

20. No offense dude

But you need to broaden your culinary horizons- most of those chain places suck and they are big republican corporate donors. Go to some Mom & Pop places- better food, better likelihood you're not propping up this regime.

[CO Liberal]

24. Actually...

...we usually go to "mom & pop" places. And right now, we're looking for a new Chinese place, because new owners took over our favorite spot and the food sucks now.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

16. Lil Ricky never ceases to be.....

an embarassment to Pennsylvania.

[Roland99]

17. Nothing wrong with a little quid pro quo.

He's just an enterprising Senator looking out for the best interest of his state and its constituents.

[Plaid Adder]

18. PHEW! For a minute there, I thought they meant the Subaru wagon

I can give up the Outback Steakhouse, though I will miss the Bloomin' Onion.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Danmel]

22. Here's a recipe for said Onion- make it at home!

4 Vidalia or Texas Sweet Onions
***Batter:***

1/3 cup Cornstarch
1 1/2 cup Flour
2 teaspoons Garlic -- minced
2 teaspoons Paprika
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Pepper
24 ounces Beer
***Seasoned Flour:***

2 cups Flour
4 teaspoons Paprika
2 teaspoons Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

***Creamy Chili Sauce:***

1 pint Mayonnaise
1 pint Sour cream
1/2 cup Chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

Mix cornstarch, flour, and seasonings until well blended. Add beer, mix well. Cut about 3/4" off top of onion and peel. Cut into onion 12 to 16 vertical wedges, but do not cut through bottom root end. Remove about 1" of petals from center of onion. Dip onion in seasoned flour and remove excess by shaking. Separate petals and dip in batter to coat thoroughly. Gently place in fryer basket and deep-fry at 375 to 400 1 1/2 minutes. Turn over, and fry an additional 1 1/2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Place onion upright in shallow bowl and remove center core with circular cutter or apple corer. Serve hot with Creamy Chili Sauce.

[progressivebydesign]

19. Guess where I'll never eat?

It's not just about supporting the GOP with their profits, because plenty of places I frequent probably do. It's about screwing the low wage workers... If the Costco people would open a restaurant, I'd eat there, they have a conscience.

[David__77]

23. So much for "states rights."

The right favored "states rights" when they felt they were not in control federally. Now when progressives are using local and state law, they balk.

[madrchsod]

25. these guys can be bought with chump change

it really is amazing just how cheaply these guys can be bought off-8,000 dollars to save outhouse hundreds of thousands.

[NervousRex]

26. Outback sucks!