From Disney to the NFL, a growing number of U.S. businesses are becoming public political activists – but, that’s not what most consumers who vote want, a new national survey reveals.
A poll of 1,092 likely general election voters, conducted February 2-5 by The Trafalgar Group on behalf of the Convention of States Action (COS), asked the following question:
“Would you be more or less likely to do business with a company that stayed politically neutral and tolerated viewpoints of employees and customers across the board?”
More than three-quarters (78.8%) of U.S. voters said they’d be at least “somewhat” more likely to do business with a politically neutral company, including 58.9% who said they’d be “much more likely.”
Regardless of whether they were Democrat (76.9%), Republican (82.3%) or Independent (77.1%), more than three out of every four voters said they rather do business with an apolitical company that’s tolerant of all viewpoints.
Likewise, over half of Democrats (54.8%), Republicans (66.4%) and Independents (55.2%) said they would be “much more likely” to do business with a company that sticks to its job and stays of out of politics.
Americans’ concern about the political activism of companies they do business with is particular acute when it comes to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) movement, where businesses and investment managers prioritize liberal ideology over performance and profitability.
“The bottom line here is in fact, the bottom line itself,” Convention of States President Mark Meckler said in a statement announcing the survey results:
“Businesses that are hell bent on continuing down the ESG path are going to continue to suffer in this tough and challenging economy. Businesses that stay out of politics and focus on serving their customers–on the other hand–will thrive.
“So, instead of wondering how many diversity and inclusion officers they have, corporations should be worried about how they are intentionally alienating a broad group of Americans who will just shop somewhere else.”
Editor's Note: This piece reprinted with permission and was first published on CNSNews.com.
