The Price of Policy
The price for freedom, for legislation, and for public policy is bought and sold and boycotted and threatened.
Case is point number one: In North Carolina a bathroom bill that requires people to use the bathroom of the birth gender has riled many famous musicians and leaders. Already Paypal has decided to not open a new center in the area. Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and the band Pearl Jam have all cancelled shows, citing their disagreement with the new law.
Case in point number two: In Georgia, a religious freedom act was passed, but eventually vetoed by the governor of the state. He faced pressure from Disney, AMC, the NFL and others who threatened the city with economic boycotts if the bill was approved by the governor. Fearing the repercussions of that, the governor caved on the law.
Case in point number three: Saudi Arabia, in a move that should shock no one, has declared that if the US makes legislation they disagree with, they will simply sell off various US interests, which could put our economy into a free fall. And why not? We have advertised in social media how much an economic threat and boycott works in Georgia and Indiana and North Carolina.
Our laws, our politicians and our public policy are now for sale. Make enough fuss, boycott enough things and threaten to stop bringing jobs and we will simply change the policy and the law the accomidate a few high ranking, very rich people. We don't want to risk economic problems. So we simply sell out our morals and our public policy.
Our nation is in a very dangerous place. Even foreign countries now see that our economy, and the threatening of it, can force us to make changes in our policies and laws. How long before China decides to use the same tactics? Or North Korea? Or even our allies?
Our country has a real problem when our morals and values are for sale. When economics trump whats right or wrong, then our country is headed in a bad direction.
I know. This isn't my normal blog about scripture that ties into the previous week's sermon. But as I read the story on Saudi Arabia, it just set off a nerve. One country should not dictate our laws and policy. Nor should a musician or a corporation or a conglomerate. We are the land of the free and the home of the brave, not the land of the rich and the home of the scared.
There was a time in our country when politicians stood for principles and the electorate made decisions. Now a handful of people and companies can threaten to boycott your state if you don't bow to their wishes. They bully you into falling into line. Oh sure, we don't like bullies, unless they have a lot of money and threaten not to spend it on us.
It's time to stand up to the bully. I admire North Carolina for sticking to their guns. I hope they will continue to do so. By doing it they are telling famous people and businesses that the people and elected officials makes policy and that non-residents can stay home. I think North Carolina, in the end, will be OK. They just have to stand up to the bully.
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