Propaganda: Socialism in Big Business

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================================================== The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 =============================================================== America's Future, Inc., Behind The Headlines, May 1996 Big Business Is Promoting Socialism ---                         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