I was talking to Candidia Cruikshanks, CEO of Wealth Bond*ge, about philanthropy and public policy. She pointed out that doing well for your company by doing good for politicians and their charities is a well-proven strategy for serving stockholders. I am glad to see Corporate America catching on to "selfish giving." Here is a good example from the Chicago Sun Times of how charity for the good of the poor can be used to bias the internet for the good of the few. It all works out, I guess.
WASHINGTON -- An Englewood community center founded by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), a key player on telecommunications legislation, received a $1 million grant from the charitable arm of SBC/AT&T, one of the nation's largest phone companies.
The chief of a congressional watchdog group says Rush's ongoing association with the Rebirth of Englewood Community Development Corporation and his role in shaping telecommunications law as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee is a conflict of interest. Using charitable giving as a backdoor way to curry favor with lawmakers is coming under increasing scrutiny, figuring in controversies associated with former Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) andRep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), who was forced to temporarily step aside as the ranking Democrat on the Ethics panel.
Senator Dick Minim, (D) Mass, contacted at his campaign headquarters, had this to say: "You can't stop progress. It goes forward on all fronts. While I am in favor of internet neutrality, we have to respect certain realities, such as Wealth Bond*ge, America's Leading Brand. What Candidia wants, Candidia gets. Why force her to bribe politicians? Philanthropy to influence public policy is the lesser of evils. The main thing is to soften the impact on my Dumpster Dwelling constituents. I applaud Candidia's continued support for Gifthub, the people's blog. We must be grateful for small blessings, however mixed. Well, wealth will be served. It is a win win all around. The Senate Ethics Committee meets in three minutes. Must scoot! More anon."
