One of the first results of the Citizens United ruling is the creation of the business-funded group MN Forward, the allegedly “bipartisan” outfit whose actual political leanings may be divined by the following evidence: Its head honcho is Brian McClung, who less than two months ago was the deputy chief of staff Tim Pawlenty; and its first TV ads have been for Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who is essentially Pawlenty without the mullet and even less humanity.

But a funny thing happened on the way to buying yet another corporate-friendly Republican governor. A couple of funny things, actually.

Target Corp. and Best Buy are proving that their profits are the most important thing in the long run, not the long-term rights of all the people — employees and customers — in areas where they do business.