By Todd Flora
■ I’m a stockholder. Foundations that give away money rely on my stocks to perform. I pay taxes.
Programs I care about, from national defense to environmental protection to local schools, rely not only on a share of my paycheck, but also my purchase of goods and services. It is therefore in my best interest — as it is yours — to support business growth and development.
Why then, must some insist on contorting the term “pro business” to meet a certain political end? Unfortunately, some have turned its use into a giant wink to business interests. They argue that the only way to progress politically is to green light industry’s ability to do whatever it wants, whenever it wants. Within my own Democratic party, it is regrettable that in order to be considered “pro-business” by some, one must seemingly be willing to let developers build unchecked, employers shirk health coverage, and executives collect massive pay and profits while keeping workers’wages substandard.
I believe the “pro business” label should refer to those, regardless of political party, who will work to create an environment where business can locate and succeed.
Locally, for example, merchants have a point that signage related to the homeless policy should be used as a welcome by homeless-friendly businesses, not as a “scarlet letter” on those against their doorways being used as beds.
Further, I stand with the Main Street Merchants’ view that holiday time is no time for their metered parking rates to increase.
But a “pro business” power broker should also be one who actively recruits GOOD corporate partners into our culture. We need to reward businesses that build into their long term planning consideration for the environment, as well as the strengths that consumers and workers add to both their bottom line and the overall economy. If Patagonia and Ben and Jerry’s can do it, so can others.
Further, Democrats must embrace the need for Social Security reform. I believe someone deserving of the “pro business” label will press the Democratic party to get its collective head out of the sand, and get it focused on the demographic realities that necessitate action to save Social Security for future generations.
The Enrons and Global Crossings remind us that we need watchdogs, and that good corporate citizenship should be encouraged, not mocked. Let’s aspire to be more “Pro-GOOD Business,” and stop becoming apologists for those who will never be happy with a single regulation, or believe their success comes without any social responsibility. (Todd Flora is a professional issues manager who has served as state director of the California Clean Money Campaign, a campaign finance reform effort, and the Concord Coalition, a budget watchdog organization. He is a speakers bureau member with Heal the Bay, and on the steering committee of Santa Monicans Allied for Responsible Tourism (SMART). To respond or to reach Todd, )
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 15, 2003. Read the original PDF.