Are conservatives beginning to realize that corporations are not their friends?
In previous decades, the average Republican would have an unhealthy fixation with corporations. The conventional view would be that these institutions were infallible and should always be defended, no matter how malicious their behavior would be.
However, the emergence of woke capitalism, a dynamic that has seen corporations use advertising campaigns and policies to appeal to the cultural Left, has compelled conservatives to re-assess their unconditional support for corporations. Moreover, these corporations have become activist in nature and have functioned as private enforcement arms of the state.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has recently broken the mold by signing into law a bill that would strip entertainment titan Disney of special government and tax privileges in retaliation for the company’s woke activism in the state.
Other Republicans across the nation have recognized that corporations shouldn’t receive special privileges and not be treated as 100% innocuous actors.
Matt Rinaldi, the current chairman of the Texas Republican Party tweeted about this on April 23, 2022:
“Corporations are not entitled to special treatment. If we adopt a policy of giving special perks to some corporations, as almost all states unfortunately have, it is absolutely a relevant consideration whether the sum total of that company’s work benefits society.”
Corporations are not entitled to special treatment. If we adopt a policy of giving special perks to some corporations, as almost all states unfortunately have, it is absolutely a relevant consideration whether the sum total of that company’s work benefits society.
— Matt Rinaldi (@MattRinaldiTX) April 23, 2022
There comes a point where using the public vs. private distinction is outdated and no longer useful in determining how to pursue sensible policies. Republicans should take a realistic approach to corporations. Reward those who advance national interests with favorable taxation and lower regulations, and punish woke corporations with punitive taxes, boycotts, and other measures that sully their reputation.
We’re at a point in American history when the Right must start taking the gloves off against woke capital. A good place to start is the state level, where Republicans can demonstrate what behavior they will tolerate and what they will punish.
