When it comes to free market capitalism, I am much in line with Milton Friedman's philosophy, and I love to recommend his book; "The Right to Choose" and like a good capitalist, I believe that much of Ayn Rand's philosophy is also correct. And yet, I've always run my business in such a way to help the communities where our companies did their business. I've always believed that is important to give a little back as you grow, and not just scrape the cream off the top.
This is the way that I've always run my business, and therefore, I've always enjoyed reading the books of the great business titans who built their companies from scratch and did the same thing. I speak of Ray Kroc's; "Grinding It out" - Sam Walton's; "Made in America" - and Bill Gates' with his Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.
However, not long ago I was disturbed when a hard-core left-wing liberal-socialist leaning lady told me that companies "must" incorporate business interests with the public good. In fact she was very demanding of this. It concerned me, because I have always given back all my life since I was a very young man running a company, until I retired, and I still volunteer today. Not because it's mandatory, or forced upon me, but because I choose to.
The thought of having a government or a group of regulators telling me where to give my money, time, and efforts to the common good disturbed me immensely.
Indeed, I am just as disturbed with the government stealing my money through taxation and giving it to causes that I don't particularly care for, or I wouldn't give up my own money for because I don't believe they deserve it. So, being in a debating type mood, I put forth this argument to my acquaintance, while trying to be as tactful as possible, so I could get her to think through their own demands upon my civil liberties, and right to free contract.
"Creating reward systems which allow positive community results from business endeavors makes sense, what do you suggest? And have you considered the challenges and realities of what Hitler did in NAZI Germany in that regard, where he commanded, nationalized, and forced businesses to do his social bidding? What changes in such a focus would you make not to cause the "Ayn Rand" effect, as socialism aspects of such a concept, caused entrepreneurs to just quit?"
And then I asked a dubious question, one I'm sure she's not able to answer, or it would blow her whole concept; Would you imprison them if they didn't help the "common good" as per your new rules, and would you make them run the companies for you? Please consider all this, because there are nations which run like this, Bolivia, Venezuela, and others.
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