Why Many Business Owners are Republicans

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  1. crankalicious profile image90
    crankaliciousposted 4 years ago

    It's been my experience that almost every business owner or former business owner I've ever met is a Republican or more likely to be a Republican. Admittedly, this experience is somewhat limited, but I've known many people, many of whom I liked, who were business owners and were Republican.

    In the case of one friend, who was a fellow film critic, he used to own a business and was a Republican and we argued about politics, but we were friends. He even invited me to his house for a wine tasting. He was just a nice guy.

    I imagine his experience is not dissimilar from other business owners. In his case, he owned a bar or restaurant and the city needed to do some work near his business. Without telling him, they basically shut down the street and nearly put him out of business. Now, obviously, streets need to be worked on, but not helping business owners and threatening their very existence isn't going to win you any friends.

    Here's my friend, earning his living through his own labor, dealing with bureaucrats who couldn't care less whether he survives or not, just doing what they're told.

    I can understand how, in this example, one would have utter disdain for government. While not all governments are run by Democrats, urban areas tend to be and I understood his frustration.

    I could understand why his politics were the way they were.

    1. GA Anderson profile image83
      GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      You are going to catch hell for this one Crankalicious.

      If I understand the gist of your comment, it would be something like; Those promoting the 'general good', aka Liberals, aka Democrats, either don't think about the impact of their actions on individuals or don't care—'too bad, too sad, the greater good is more important than your good.'

      Whereas, individual business owners are concerned with their "good" and the good of their employees.  I don't think this is a bad thing because frequently "their good" is also good for their community.

      My limited experience agrees with your anecdotal observation. It is a lot easier to quick-step to the "greater good" mindset when you don't have any skin in the game. I would bet businesses in the situation of your example would have been willing to work with the hardships of street closings—if they could just have a voice in the process.

      My personal experience is limited to small business ownership, (restaurants), and community participation in our local Chamber of Commerce. I would have been willing to 'bite the bullet' for the benefit of the greater good—as long as I was involved in the discussion.

      GA

      1. gmwilliams profile image82
        gmwilliamsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

        Gus, there are certain people who are afraid of the truth.   I have received so much flack from some of my more controversial posts.   Tell it, I say, & those who are hurt......OH WELL...………. Yes, many Republicans are highly successful but they are unapologetic about their success unlike some Democrats who guilt themselves into believe that they are somehow oppressing others who aren't as successful as they are.  These Democrats feel that somehow that they are at fault for achieving & succeeding.  They have the premise that success somehow is suspect.....Those Republicans don't feel that way.  Their thought is hell I worked for my success & if others don't like or feel uncomfortable, well, oh well, oh well...…...Republicans are UNAPOLOGETIC about their success while Democrats tend to feel...…..GUILTY...…..

      2. crankalicious profile image90
        crankaliciousposted 4 years agoin reply to this

        GA,

        Exactly the opposite. I have respect for people who run small businesses and can understand why they would end up voting Republican due to their experiences with government red tape. Some of the stories are brutal.

        1. GA Anderson profile image83
          GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

          I meant you would catch hell for a post supportive of the individual over the bureaucracy.

          Maybe I was wrong.

          GA

          1. crankalicious profile image90
            crankaliciousposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Ah! I don't think any people in this forum support the bureaucracy over the individual, but they do acknowledge the importance of a social contract that includes everyone.

            1. GA Anderson profile image83
              GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

              I have a different perspective of this forum's participants. Hence my original comment.

              GA

    2. Eastward profile image71
      Eastwardposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      This survey seems to align with your experience, Crank. I'd be interested to know the significance of any changes in political affiliation before and after becoming a business owner as well https://www.guidantfinancial.com/small-business-trends/

      1. crankalicious profile image90
        crankaliciousposted 4 years agoin reply to this

        What I was trying to say was that I understand the tendency of small business owners to be Republicans because of the massive amount of red tape they have to go through just to get up and running. Small business owners tend to be honest and hard-working and having to deal with different government entities and people who are living off taxpayer dollars trying to damage your ability as a small business owner to operate must be very frustrating.

        In these situations, it's a matter of individual hard work against government bureaucracy. I can see how living with that experience can make somebody entirely distrustful of government.

        1. Eastward profile image71
          Eastwardposted 4 years agoin reply to this

          I can certainly see that point having owned a few small businesses myself. I have a fairly skeptical stance on government, though I don't really believe that either party is for reducing government spending in the right places at the moment.

          I often think of this story that happened not far from my hometown. It is a nice summary of individual hard work vs. government overreach IMO http://www.policestateusa.com/2014/roge … wisconsin/

    3. profile image0
      Onusonusposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Business owners are Republican because they have to deal with real economics in practice, and Liberal policies kill businesses.

  2. Readmikenow profile image94
    Readmikenowposted 4 years ago

    Good thread Crank,

    I've had a business and I've been an employee.  You see a different side of the government when you own a business.  Instead of the taxes automatically being taken from your paycheck, you have to write a check to the government quarterly and annually.  It's different when you have to see what you earn and then write a check to the government from it.  It was a real revelation.  Then, of course, there are all the governmental regulations you have to follow and more.  Yeah, when you own a business the government is much more involved in your life.  Paying employees is an experience everyone should have to understand business owners.

    I know very dedicated Democrats who own businesses. They just seem more comfortable with the government determining the amount of money it takes from them, requiring them to follow the latest regulation of the day and more.

    It is a different mindset.

 
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