The Thought
Knowing that politics is awash in sordidness and banality some eschew touching it altogether. William Buckley once said, “Decent men should ignore politics,” but then he added, “if only politics would ignore them.”*
Business is increasingly affected, and contorted, by politics. (See, Editorial, The Chicken Ten) Different businesses respond differently to this political touching. Some get involved. Of those which get involved a few support candidates who support free market ideals and individual rights and liberties. Others, perhaps still not feeling so directly the touch of politics, or, perhaps, eschewing politics because of its sordidness and banality, seek to avoid involvement in politics at all. However, there are other businesses or business organizations in New Mexico which simply seek protection from politics another way.
They often financially support politicians who commonly vote against their business interests. The rationale for this support seems often to be similar to the notion underlying the payment of protection money. That is, “You took a large bite out of me last legislative session. I’ll contribute so you’ll take a smaller bite next session.”
The payment of protection money by business to incumbents who regularly make business more difficult to conduct in New Mexico, or who often vote to reduce traditional rights and liberties, does not assist an effort to turn around New Mexico. Thus, we have decided to publicize such businesses by listing periodically “The Chicken Ten” - the ten businesses in the state which donate most, or most often, to such incumbents. We will also have a similar listing of business organizations which advise their members to participate in this protection racket.
Business is increasingly affected, and contorted, by politics. (See, Editorial, The Chicken Ten) Different businesses respond differently to this political touching. Some get involved. Of those which get involved a few support candidates who support free market ideals and individual rights and liberties. Others, perhaps still not feeling so directly the touch of politics, or, perhaps, eschewing politics because of its sordidness and banality, seek to avoid involvement in politics at all. However, there are other businesses or business organizations in New Mexico which simply seek protection from politics another way.
They often financially support politicians who commonly vote against their business interests. The rationale for this support seems often to be similar to the notion underlying the payment of protection money. That is, “You took a large bite out of me last legislative session. I’ll contribute so you’ll take a smaller bite next session.”
The payment of protection money by business to incumbents who regularly make business more difficult to conduct in New Mexico, or who often vote to reduce traditional rights and liberties, does not assist an effort to turn around New Mexico. Thus, we have decided to publicize such businesses by listing periodically “The Chicken Ten” - the ten businesses in the state which donate most, or most often, to such incumbents. We will also have a similar listing of business organizations which advise their members to participate in this protection racket.
*National Review pg. 58 of 3/24/08
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