Family ties
Much news recently focused on the fact and the effect of Lakeland resident Julie Fancelli’s financial support for the rally that culminated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol and the deaths of six people.
The news reports identified her as “Publix Supermarket heiress” and thus linked the grocery chain to the events of January 6th. To which it responded:
“Mrs. Fancelli is not an employee of Publix Super Markets, and is neither involved in our business operations, nor does she represent the company in any way. We cannot comment on Mrs. Fancelli’s actions.
“The violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6 was a national tragedy. The deplorable actions that occurred that day do not represent the values, work or opinions of Publix Super Markets.”
Well maybe.
Campaign finance reports for freshman Congressman Scott Franklin - former Lakeland City Commissioner and an avowed Trump loyalist - who voted to object to the certified election results on the House floor that day even after the riot, show a good deal of support from her and her son, Gregory, as well as other members of the family, some of whom are directly involved in the business operations, and do represent the company, as well as from a source identified as PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC. ASSOCIATES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, suggesting that many actual employees shared in that support.
It’s unlikely that the total of just under $30,000 was enough to push Franklin to victory in a campaign that cost nearly $2,000,000, but it was as much as they could legally do to bolster his chances.
It may cost them more than it was worth.
Irate observers and customers have berated the store and the family and some have called for a boycott of course. But customer boycotts seldom achieve their goals and a behemoth like Publix is immune to the small revenue loss that might result. But what it is not immune from is the loss of its good name.
“For the 23rd consecutive year, Publix has been named one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, ranking No. 39. We are one of only 8 companies to have made the list every year since its inception in 1998.”
There is no good reason to inconvenience yourself by changing grocery stores to make a point. It will be more effective to simply shame them whenever the opportunity arises.
Publix supports Scott Franklin. Scott Franklin voted to object to certified votes (not the ones that elected him of course). Scott Franklin offered unquestioning loyalty to Donald Trump - until Joe Biden was inaugurated, at which point he flipped into the camp of those wishing the new President well. So much for his brand of loyalty.
Scott Franklin will vote with the raging lunatic from Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greene. He will not represent the citizens of District 15. He is aiming at higher office for himself. He spent $700,000 of his own to take the seat, $162,000 more than all of his constituent supporters, and $60,000 more than the PACs. Why?
Your freedom to vote is tied to your responsibility to be aware of what you voted for and to pay attention to how that plays out. The only exit from the swamp is on the citizen ship. Do not look away.
