Today Seth Godin dings restaurant owners opposing the proposed NYC cleanliness scorecard, asserting that the window sign impinges on their right of free speech. Godin questions why these businesses would assert their rights rather than embrace their responsibilities.
To illustrate his point, Godin suggests that the soft drink industry demand taxation of high sugar soft drinks.
"The benefit of a tax is that it affects you and your competitors at the same time, so you all benefit from doing the right thing, as opposed to having to compete against someone who doesn't care as much as you do."
"Once people realize that excessive use of your product makes them sick and then die a long and painful death, it's probably time to stop lobbying and time to start doing something about it. This industry should stop thinking it is in the corn syrup delivery business (which brings nasty side effects along with it) and start focusing on delivering joy in a bottle. Lots of interesting ways to do that without giving up profits."
Do you believe in responsible advocacy? Does your association lobby for narrow self-interest or a larger cause?
Stand for those your members serve.
