Corporate Patriotism

By Martin Schatz

"As a positive emotion, [patriotism] is stronger in the middle class than the upper class."

"In all countries, the poor are more national than the rich."

- George Orwell

And that is why poor and middle class people are so easily manipulated by those with actual power and money.  Corporations and their representatives are quick to wrap themselves in the American flag when it suits their purpose, but they do not feel any solidarity with the normal citizens of the country, at least not in any way that changes their policies or procedures.

We should not be surprised or hurt by this.  After all, companies exist to make a profit.  They do not have a responsibility to create jobs or "do good" outside of what the law requires of them.  Their goal is to make their systems more efficient, to "do more with less," which has a negative effect on job creation.  This is basic business practice.  Any commercials, marketing or other promotional efforts that emphasize a public company's national roots or heritage should be viewed with extreme suspicion.  This approach plays into the strong national and patriotic sentiments that are felt the strongest amongst the working and middle class citizenry.

It is important to note that most companies are not bad or good.  They just are.  They exist to serve the interests of the company itself and it's shareholders.  When we recognize that, we can view them as the self-serving entities that they are.  The trouble arises when we allow ourselves to be convinced that these multi-national corporations are patriotic.  Put simply, they are not, and their basic structure does not allow them the luxury to be.  A public company that makes its products in the United States has done the math and found that it makes financial sense to do so.  A company who has outsourced the labor has done a similar thing.  As the price of foreign (primarily China) labor has risen, along with the increased logistical problems associated with stretching a supply chain to the ends of the earth, many companies are bringing their production back home.  They then loudly proclaim that they are proud to be able to add the "Made in America" sticker back on.  Do not be fooled.  This is a financial decision and nothing else. 


Recognizing this, we should realize the meaning behind the rhetoric when companies push for lower emission standards, less regulation, lower taxes.  This is a financial stand, not an idealogical one, and certainly not a patriotic one.  This is not pro-America, it is pro-Corporation XYZ.


Recognizing this allows us the freedom to push for corporations to pay their share of taxes.  It allows us to insist that they comply with environmental regulations.  It should also give us the courage to insist that companies with security and weapons contracts perform every part of the production domestically. 


A citizen should not view Boeing the same as he does a "Mom & Pop" grocery store on the corner.  Quite often these companies are labeled as "wealth creators" and "job creators."  Wealth?  Yes.  Jobs?  If they must, and if they cannot get the same increase in production from a less costly efficiency or tooling upgrade.