SOCIALISM VS. CAPITALISM: MY VIEWS SHARED ON FOX NEWS
“Really? What are you Switzerland?”
I shared my political standpoint when asked on Fox News regarding “socialism and capitalism”. I was interviewed on the street by Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery, Fox Network's TV host. When Montgomery asked which he viewed – socialism or capitalism – his response surprised her.
Without hesitation, I answered, “Totally neutral.”
With a quick response Montgomery asked, “Really? What are you Switzerland?”
“I’m Canadian,” I replied and then went on to elaborate on my choice, “Show me a fence and I will sit on it – is my stance.”
I was obviously playing with her and the question, giving a fun response that would get her and their viewers going.
But should a CEO of a company share their political choices? According to “The New CEO Activities,“ by Aaron K. Chatterji and Michael W. Toffel, companies have followed and supported political views that they believed in for a long time. In addition, they’ve been publicly open about their choices and financially supportive to them.
Also mentioned in “The New CEO Activities,“ Brian Moynihan, Bank of America’s CEO told the Wall Street Journal, “Our jobs as CEOs now include driving what we think is right.” He went onto say, “It’s not exactly political activism, but it is action on issues beyond business.”
But can your opinion kill your business? Is it good not to tell everyone about everything your thinking? Is it good to keep people guessing? Is it safe that you haven’t confirmed or sided with a view? Or is it even right to stay neutral to political views?
Whatever your stance, you can’t help but laugh.
LISA KENNEDY MONTGOMERY
