Business and politics have been called strange bed-fellows, but this seems disingenuous. What is there strange about it? They have been together so long that the connection is natural, but the relationship is incestuous. Its offspring provide some interesting observations.
America is synonymous with business. It is the most important aspect in our lives because it provides for our livelihood. Law in America is dominated by business interests and politics primarily serves business. Because businesses are legal, if fictitious, entities, they have rights and the power of the collective group that owns them and works for them. This situation is inherently unfair because it pits them against the rights of the individual citizen. Businesses fight for position in the market through politics. Each wants laws to favor it and its friends and hurt its competitors. This is not a free and fair market. Beneath national policies and proposed laws exists an often hidden business agenda. The power of big business and even small business coalitions, with their many lobyists, is the greatest political force in the nation.
Business must sell some of its desires to the people to gain their support, using the open manipulation of PR. But there is much it doesn't want to tell us. Politicians in collusion with business wont tell us, either. Congress has no ethical provision to prevent its members from having investments in or associations with firms that are influenced by their committees. This ethical lapse has existed since the founding of the nation. Often the rationale behind proposed laws is only justification to the people, not the real reason for their proposal. On any current or proposed law one should ask, Who will gain and who will lose? This, simply, is often the rationale for law and political campaigns.
The political balance lies between the wants and needs of the people, specifically the rights of individuals, and business/politics, usually tipping in the favor of business. The argument goes that when business has free reign the economy will prosper and so will individuals, even if some minority of individuals suffer. It is the old utilitarian philosophy of the greatest good for the greatest number. But inherent in that philosophy is the realization that some will fall through the cracks. It is not for everyone. But is this true; is it good for the nation?
We have seen effects when business has its way: freedoms and rights are curtailed, the environment suffers and we with it, costing enormous sums in land loss and medical problems; political relations with other countries may rise and fall according to business interests and individuals who may not have the interests of the nation at heart or good political ability achieve office.
Business concerns should never be the primary concern of any society. There are many necessary and important things to individuals and society that are not financially profitable. Business cannot support the social contract and interests of the society as a whole because it is inherently selfish and cannot put the greater good of society ahead of its own interests.