Corporations can in fact change people’s views

TO THE EDITOR:

While Brandon Blalock brings up some valid points in his letter to the editor (“People’s political opinions formed by more than ads,” Jan. 27), his argument contains one minor flaw: Corporations like Wal-Mart are not people but a company made up of people.

When Wal-Mart expresses its political ideas by donating a limitless amount of campaign dollars to one political candidate, it is the executive members of that company who are making that decision.

Historically, these executives are mostly older, Caucasian males. Just another example of the majority making a decision and speaking for the minority. How is it possible that every employee of one company supports the same political candidate? The Supreme Court decision takes the vote out of the hands of the average citizen and places more power in the hands of those who already have the most power and influence.

Also, Blalock argues that ads are not that influential in persuading a person’s decision to vote for one candidate over the other. But the sad truth is that statistics have consistently shown that the majority of Americans are apathetic or uninformed about political issues. If advertisements weren’t highly influential, then why would companies spend millions of dollars for a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl? Companies know how to use their brands to influence people on their emotions rather than rationale, and this will be the unfortunate case when election time rolls around.

Hannah Autry
Senior
Journalism, Political Science