ARIZONA MANTRA - DONT' BOTHER US, WE DON'T CARE

Whose Ox gets Gored …

Dateline 14 Nov 06 . . . Arizona Republic . . . headline - Maverick dairyman fights lobbyist and lawmakers . . . by Scott Wang and Kelly Carr . . .

There were two quotes accompanying the body of this article. One from Hein Hettinga, the maverick dairyman in question ……. He noted … “they passed a law to kill one private dairy. Does that make any sense? It’s not the way government should conduct business to limit competition.” The second quote is from Andrew House, senior policy adviser to Rep. Devin Nunes (R)) Calif, who notes …”when it comes to abiding by regulations, he doesn’t want to do it because it will mean his profit margin will go down.”

I find this article interesting as it illuminates the degree to which the captains of industry will overtly manipulate the political system to dominate any segment of the American business enterprise system. What is intriguing in this case is the captains of industry rallied collectively to get another to consent to “toe-the-line” and promote the good of the industry as opposed to his self-interest. The jury is still out on whether this collective action will bring about the results the collective seeks.

Apparently Arizona dairy men find it perfectly acceptable for them to band together and seek political assistance from lobbyists as well as State and Federal Legislative personnel to promote and resolve monetary issues of concern to them. This is a far cry to the anti-union stance which permeates Arizona business in general and farming in particular. What is good for the goose is not in the judgment of Arizona business men good for the gander.

This turf war between dairymen is also interesting in that it clearly delineates that if one steps out of line with prevailing “gentlemen’s agreements” one should expect to be rebuked. Though Arizona Dairymen find it perfectly acceptable and fair game for Wal-Mart to enter a community, coupled with the tax and infrastructure benefits provided to it by local government, drive those small merchants who were once the backbone of that community out of business.

For Arizona businessmen whether a law, regulation or rule is good or bad solely depends on whose ox is being gored. Their mantra is … don’t gore mine …

The Arizona citizen’s mantra is … don’t bother me, I don’t care . . .