Politicians tell companies to stay in their lane

Some major American corporations are facing backlash for speaking out on contentious issues. Nike, American Airlines and Coca-Cola are being targeted in a conservative-backed ad campaign urging the companies to stop speaking out about politics. A series of new ads attacks the companies for pushing sugary drinks and contributing to the obesity epidemic, not having enough leg room on planes, and using forced labor. The ads warn the companies to focus on their customers, not “woke” politicians. It is the business equivalent of telling LeBron James to “shut up and dribble.” These companies and others have run their own ads, criticizing restrictive changes in voter laws and other hot-button issues. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has a warning for the companies to stay out of politics. But the fact is, their foray into political issues is nothing new. These corporations and others have long employed lobbyists to funnel money to politicians in Washington to influence the law-making process. The Supreme Court has even ruled these political contributions to be a form of free speech. McConnell certainly knows that. He takes in lots of PAC money. More than $3 million in PAC contributions, just in the 2020 election cycle. It seems its ok for rich and powerful companies to speak out about issues important to them, as long as the money is first being funneled through the politicians.