Ok. Where is he going with this? I’ll tell you.
Bad behavior should not be rewarded in any situation and good behavior can’t be mandated.
The recent passage of the bill to protect same-sex marriage is a milestone, regardless of the fact that 66% of the country approves of such unions. It just seems most Republicans are out of touch. One of the provisions of the bill is that businesses and religious institutions cannot be penalized for not adhering to the new law. I understand people’s faith and how that guides them in their daily lives. I do not agree with those views but respect them. Perhaps they should not be eligible for tax breaks if they refuse to comply but that’s an issue that has been at the center of debate for decades and it won’t be settled here.
To businesses that will not make wedding cakes for gay marriages, I say: let the market decide. Over time, people refusing to patronize such businesses will determine their success or failure. There is no need for boycotts as public outrage is covered by free speech.
Now, on to gas prices. We can blame oil companies for keeping prices higher so as not to reduce their billions of profit, but on the local level, the real villains are neighborhood gas stations. This week, I filled up my tank at Walmart for $3.49/gallon and often use my Fry’s/Krogers points which at times, take off $.50/gallon! What a deal.
But in my neighborhood, gas stations close to the tony homes here in North Scottsdale are charging $4.99/gallon as they cater to the landscapers and multitudes of construction companies who need to fill up.
I understand the plights of these businesses but there is a difference between servicing the community and being predatory. They are price-gouging vermin and know they have these landscapers by their bark mulch.
What to do? Well, the same guideline applies to this as gay wedding cakes; let the market decide. If you are a local gas station, draw business away from your high-priced competitor by marketing and advertising fair prices.
Don’t shop at bad bakeries or greedy gasoline owners. It really is that simple.
Nope. Not a dynamic column today but something that is topical and demonstrates we are not at the mercy of those who are bad actors..we can make a difference.
Amen!
People do not have to actively call for a boycott. They can post negative information about a business and if it is outrageous enough the story can move the market. Alternatively, they can take their story to traditional media and let them do the dirty work.