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Which party is the “party of big business” now?

In a shift over a half-century, the party base has been transplanted from the industrial Northeast and urban centers to become rooted in the South and West, in towns and rural areas. In turn, Republicans are electing more populist, antitax and antigovernment conservatives who are less supportive — and even suspicious — of appeals from big business.

Big business, many Republicans believe, is often complicit with big government on taxes, spending and even regulations, to protect industry tax breaks and subsidies — “corporate welfare,” in their view.

“One of the biggest lies in politics is the lie that Republicans are the party of big business,” Ted Cruz, a new senator from Texas and a Tea Party favorite, told The Wall Street Journal during his 2012 campaign. “Big business does great with big government. Big business is very happy to climb in bed with big government. Republicans are and should be the party of small business and of entrepreneurs.”

The tension, so evident last month in the tax fight over the fiscal deadline, is apparent again as Mr. Obama and a new Congress contend over the even more pressing need to increase the nation’s debt limit next month.

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Big business, many Republicans believe, is often complicit with big government on taxes, spending and even regulations, to protect industry tax breaks and subsidies — “corporate welfare,” in their view.

This is not a new belief, by any stretch.

Anyone who thinks that business is gung ho for the free market has just not been paying attention to business. Adam Smith knew better, back in the 18th century.

Although he was the patron saint of capitalism, Smith was no fan of capitalists. Any policy advocated by businessmen, he said, “ought never to be adopted till after having been long and carefully examined, not only with the most scrupulous, but with the most suspicious attention.”

In our own time, as in Adam Smith’s time, businesses have not hesitated to advocate government interference with free markets. Tariffs on steel and other import restrictions are obvious examples. Many, if not most, antitrust cases begin with some business complaining because a competitor is gaining market share by charging lower prices or offering an improved product.

-Thomas Sowell, 2003

visions on January 16, 2013 at 3:57 PM

The ultimate irony for the anti-Big Corporation Leftist is that only by the power of Big Government can eevvviill Big Business “control” markets and reduce choices for consumers.

Leftists do not understand this because economic illiteracy is the foundation of their entire world view.

visions on January 16, 2013 at 4:02 PM

It’s the same party it always was: Democrats.
Cruz has it exactly right:

“Big business does great with big government. Big business is very happy to climb in bed with big government. Republicans are and should be the party of small business and of entrepreneurs.”

nobar on January 16, 2013 at 4:05 PM

Are we talking about the party who fought tooth and nail to guarantee people’s rights for corporations?

Now that pro-immigration Super PACs funded by the same industries who hire illegal immigrants are popping up their opinion might change. Alas it’s too late.

lester on January 16, 2013 at 4:16 PM

Big business is in favor of regulation, because it alone can internalize the costs. Its smaller competition is often unable to absorb the same cost of regulation.

Attila (Pillage Idiot) on January 16, 2013 at 4:26 PM

Are we talking about the party who fought tooth and nail to guarantee people’s rights for corporations?

Now that pro-immigration Super PACs funded by the same industries who hire illegal immigrants are popping up their opinion might change. Alas it’s too late.

lester

Quack quack quack.

xblade on January 16, 2013 at 4:36 PM

Are we talking about the party who fought tooth and nail to guarantee people’s rights for corporations?
Now that pro-immigration Super PACs funded by the same industries who hire illegal immigrants are popping up their opinion might change. Alas it’s too late.
lester on January 16, 2013 at 4:16 PM

So you’re one of those “corporations are not people!!!” idiots?

gwelf on January 16, 2013 at 4:37 PM

Quack quack quack.

xblade on January 16, 2013 at 4:36 PM

I think you nailed our daily designated troll’s space duck call perfectly.

Steve Eggleston on January 16, 2013 at 4:58 PM

Corporate chiefs in recent months have pleaded publicly with Republicans to raise their taxes for the sake of deficit reduction [snip]

Really Jackie?

Serious question: Do the lib media really believe the stuff they write, or is it all just a ruse like it is to the administration? I honestly can’t tell.

By the way Jackie- The House just voted to spend 83% of the deficit reduction on Sandy relief. I guess we’ll have to hope that next year there will be no hurricanes.

BKeyser on January 16, 2013 at 5:00 PM

The republican “establishment” has always been tied to big business. The rank and file has been for small business. That’s why the “establishment” republicans love them some big government.
I am so glad Cruz is my senator. Now we need to primary Cornyn. Texas deserves better.

Corsair on January 16, 2013 at 6:46 PM