03.15.07
Be Careful About Campaigners
Here in California, we had a political campaign a few years back that would have implemented mandatory employer-paid health insurance. There were many commercials for each side, with one side featuring employees who were ill but were unable to obtain affordable health care, while the other featured small business owners that said they were just barely making ends meet already and would have to close if the law passed.
The measure did not pass, but it is a fascinating example of manipulation. The largest retailer in the world paid for most of the “No” ads. It seems that their low-wage employees are frequently uninsured or dependent upon state and county medical assistance. The founding family of said company were all in the billionaires lists of the financial magazines. The company manipulated smaller businesses for its own gain.
On the other side were all of the usual unions and political groups. They also were using low-wage workers who often are not members of unions anyway.
When someone comes to you claiming to have your interests at heart, ask yourself what benefit that person gets from pursuing your interests. You may decide that having something in your interest is worth allowing the other person to benefit also. After all, this is what business is all about: an exchange of value. On the other hand, you may decide that supporting interests is not worth what the other person stands to gain.
There is always someone who is prepared to tell you what will be best for you. Be sure to ask if what is best for you is also best for them.
