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The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070
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America's Future, Inc., Behind The Headlines, May 1996
Big Business Is Promoting Socialism
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by F.R. Duplantier
You'd think that Big Business interests would support free
enterprise, but the bulk of their annual corporate giving goes to
nonprofit groups promoting increased regulation and higher taxes.
An expert on corporate philanthropy claims that "corporate
America is funding its enemies." Austin Fulk of the Capital
Research Center reports that "many corporations give away their
investors' dollars to special interest advocacy groups that favor
irresponsible government policies harmful to a corporation's own
best interests." In a recent issue of Human Events, Fulk charges
that "big business is undermining American values by freely
contributing to tax-exempt groups that work against a free and
competitive market." He points out that "tax-exempt groups
receiving the biggest share of corporate charitable dollars
repeatedly offer status quo proposals to solve America's most
pressing problems: racial quotas, increased welfare and
entitlement programs, higher taxes and more government spending,
command-and-control environmental laws, and regulations on
employers."
More than 300 nonprofit advocacy groups got contributions from
America's top 250 corporations in 1993, but only 35 of those
groups received more than $250,000 apiece. Austin Fulk reports
that nearly two-thirds of these 35 groups "favor the liberal,
tried-and-failed policies of bureaucratic government. Groups such
as the Nature Conservancy, the NAACP, the Center for Community
Change, and Planned Parenthood get big corporate grants."
Liberal groups with a Big-Government bias aren't the only
beneficiaries of corporate largesse, however. "Corporations not
only fund groups working against the general interests of
business, but some also support radical activist groups that are
principled opponents of America's enterprise tradition," says
Fulk. "Corporate funding, even in small amounts, affects the
fortunes of radical activists far out of proportion to the actual
dollar amount. A corporate gift lends respectability to radical
groups. It gives them a credential so that they can ask other
corporations, individuals, and grantmaking foundations for
funding."
Donations to nonprofit groups that promote big government also
undermine the work of legitimate charities. "Private charities
have a record of effectively delivering services," says Fulk.
"But too often their work is overshadowed by failed government
programs that perpetuate the social problems they were supposed
to address. The mission of charity is hurt when government
programs replace private programs, and when taxpayer funding
replaces private contributions and individual voluntarism."
Austin Fulk of the Capital Research Center urges American
investors to hold corporate management responsible for foolish
and self-defeating philanthropy. If managers can't make
charitable contributions wisely, they should make none at all.
"Corporate managements do shareholders and the nation a grave
disservice when they fund leftist advocacy groups," says Fulk.
"If the welfare state is to be replaced by an opportunity
society, support for nonprofit institutions must become more
discerning. Individuals as well as corporations must champion
charities and advocacy groups that encourage self-reliance. And
they must refuse support to nonprofit groups that draw strength
from government."
America's Future, 7800 Bonhomme, St. Louis MO 63105
Phone: 314-725-6003 Fax: 314-721-3373