Posted on Mar 23, 2016
Should business leaders engage publicly in politics or limit themselves to lobbying?
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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ive-never-heard-so-many-ceos-talk-politics-richard-branson-roth?trk=eml-b2_content_ecosystem_digest-hero-14-null&midToken=AQHvKxwoVKbfSA&fromEmail=fromEmail&ut=0r4X5nBBWX-D81
Inasmuch as govt interferes in commerce (regulation), it's no surprise that commerce interferes in govt (lobbying). But, in the past, business leaders have tended to keep opinions to themselves. They feared losing customers or attracting the displeasure of public officials.
Richard Branson seems inclined to break this paradigm and feels that other corporate CEO's are doing the same. Is this a good idea?
Inasmuch as govt interferes in commerce (regulation), it's no surprise that commerce interferes in govt (lobbying). But, in the past, business leaders have tended to keep opinions to themselves. They feared losing customers or attracting the displeasure of public officials.
Richard Branson seems inclined to break this paradigm and feels that other corporate CEO's are doing the same. Is this a good idea?
Posted in these groups: 
Entrepreneurship
Politics
Entrepreneurship Politics
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Business has elements of Diplomacy in it. Why shouldn't a business leader be able to Leverage their Influence if Legislature is going to affect them positively or negatively.
Lobbying is nothing more than using free speech or collective bargaining power to talk to an elected representative. Using Public media like the news does really doesn't strike me as any different as long as they aren't overly coercive with their employees.
As an example, if I was an owner of a company that made widgets, and the Legislature was going to pass a law that was going to adversely/positively affect my company I would have a few options:
1) I could modify my business including shutting things down
2) I could lobby the government
3) I could contact the press
4) I could tell my employees and have them do any of the above
5) something else.
Let's take a look at the recent Apple/FBI fight. I'm glad the business leaders have a Public Opinion regarding it. It affects more than just the company.
Lobbying is nothing more than using free speech or collective bargaining power to talk to an elected representative. Using Public media like the news does really doesn't strike me as any different as long as they aren't overly coercive with their employees.
As an example, if I was an owner of a company that made widgets, and the Legislature was going to pass a law that was going to adversely/positively affect my company I would have a few options:
1) I could modify my business including shutting things down
2) I could lobby the government
3) I could contact the press
4) I could tell my employees and have them do any of the above
5) something else.
Let's take a look at the recent Apple/FBI fight. I'm glad the business leaders have a Public Opinion regarding it. It affects more than just the company.
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CPT Jack Durish
You mentioned a very good point. When I researched my book on Cuba I was amazed to learn that American businessman and the mafia dictated American foreign policy on the island. The American Ambassador answered more to them than the State Dept. They supported Batista because he was their man, he greased the skids for their business ventures. They didn't like Castro because Fidel was intent on upsetting the applecart. If Batista was to be replaced, they wanted to choose the replacement. I then incorporated this history into my story.
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CPT Jack Durish the real problem is that money has become the power in Washington which it was not supposed to be. The power was supposed to be the will of the people.
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SSG Warren Swan
That ended the moment the people accepted a common stereotype of candidate based off the money equals intelligence and power equals influence we failed. Problem is we've recognized the problem, but refuse to correct it. So with that, is it the politicians who are the problem or is it WE the people who have the problem?
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
SSG Warren Swan - Until "We the People" stop settling for the two candidates that the RNC and the DNC shove at us every couple of years (including both congressional and presidential election cycles), you will remain correct that it is our fault that we don't demand better. I for one am done with them. I will vote for a candidate who I have a feeling will be good for the nation, regardless of whether they can win or not. I will not waste my vote on the RNC and DNC simply because they have people convinced that there is no other option.
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We all have the right to express our ideas publicly. Becoming successful and wealthy does not take that right away.
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CPT Jack Durish
But won't that expose the business to loss of customers who disagree with their positions or adverse regulation by govt officials they offend?
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Capt (Join to see)
It could potentially lose customers and it could potentially gain customers. I remember people started going to Chick-Fil-A when their CEO spoke in favor of traditional marriage just because of the stink raised by LGBT activists to show their support for the company's values. Yes, it hurt them with some markets, but their profits after the fact proved that the media attention they generated played out in their favor.
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CPT Jack Durish
Capt (Join to see) - Very good example. Thank you. And, to be perfectly honest, I still shop at COSTCO despite my many disagreements with the public stances of their CEO. Hey, saving money is saving money
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