Date: 2024-10-19 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00017910
Digital News Media
2019 TYT Network & The Young Turks
Digital News Media ... 2019 TYT Network & The Young Turks ... December 10, 2019
Peter Burgess
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen has long been a stalwart advocate for progressive causes and a living example of a mold-breaking business leader promoting responsible business practices. So we at TYT were delighted to be invited to hear Cohen’s plenary session at the recent Social Venture Circle’s 2019 Conference in Berkeley, California. The SVC brings progressive-minded business leaders and investors together to promote business practices that are “regenerative, equitable and prosperous for all.” Not only were we excited to hear what Ben had to say, but at his presentations there’s always the chance of free ice cream.
A Different Kind of Business
After detailing the many inequities that have long plagued American society, in particular the injustices faced by African-Americans, Native Americans and other minority groups, Cohen said that in 1987 he and a small group of other business leaders began to dream about a different societal path, driven by socially-conscious employers.
“Essentially the dream was justice,” he said. “Could it be possible that business, money, finance - the very things that have produced and financed injustice, the very things that have degraded the environment, that have profited off war, that have exploited workers and forced them to work for poverty wages - could it be possible that investors, business owners could use their powers to not only do no harm but to be reparative?”
At the time the idea was virtually unheard of, and no one else was asking this question. Cohen talks about visiting one bookstore after another looking for books offering advice on socially-conscious business practices, but he found none. Yet he remained determined in his belief that the, quote, “hippie values of peace and love” could be integrated into for-profit business.
Centering Values
The key, he says he’s learned in the intervening 32 years, is that these values have to be central to the organization's identity, and not just an afterthought or reflected in a few percentage points of net profits donate to “good causes.”
“You can't tack them on,” he says. “You can't check the box. Values and justice must be integrated, they must be the heart and soul. Intention counts. There's a spiritual aspect of business, just as there is to the lives of individuals. As you give, you receive. As you help others, you are helped in return. As your business supports the community, the community supports your business.”
One side benefit Cohen notes - unlike businesses that surreptitiously lobby and try to hide campaign contributions to promote their interests at the expense of consumers or the environment, socially conscious businesses can openly live their values and tout the work they do and even add messages of advocacy into promotional and advertising efforts.
MLK Values
Cohen next played a video of Martin Luther King Jr. famous 1967 speech with the lines, “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death” and “America, the richest and most powerful nation in the world, can well lead the way in this revolution of values.”
With these ideas at the forefront, Cohen closes by suggesting that in the upcoming presidential election there is one candidate who embodies the “revolution of values” MLK talked about, who will provide every American with healthcare and affordable college education, who will stand against war and warmongering, will support immigrants and roll back the carceral state and who will mobilize the nation and the world to combat climate change. That candidate, he says, much like Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, comes from Vermont and is named Bernie Sanders.
(for more info on the Social Ventures Circle, visit svcimpact.org) Cranky Joe Biden Wants AOC Off His Lawn When you think of the future of the Democratic Party, which political figure first comes to mind, stumbling, bumbling grouchy grandpa Joe Biden or the vital, energetic, charismatic Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? Obviously the latter, right? Wrong! At least that’s according to Biden himself, who recently told an interviewer that AOC and the “extreme left” are not where the party is headed. In this clip, Cenk, John and David Dayen break down the popularity of progressive policies as well as just whom the former vice president is referring to when he talks about where “the party” is on various issues. First John and Cenk discuss Medicare for All, which recent polling suggests has 70 percent support, and that’s among the entire electorate - Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike. And 42 percent say they STRONGLY support Medicare for All. John also notes that Biden has previously brought up AOC, unprompted, once saying that all she had done was “win a primary,” downplaying her accomplishments and representation within the Democratic Party. David then echoes a point Cenk had touched on, which is that by “the party,” Biden is really talking about the Democratic Party functionaries and members of Congress, not the mass of Democratic voters. But Medicare for All’s strong recent showing is all the more remarkable considering the millions of dollars in ad spending the healthcare industry is pumping into the anti-M4A propaganda effort, which is not only driven by Republicans but also pushed by more “centrist” Democratic candidates like Biden and Pete Buttigieg. One other remarkable aspect of the Medicare for All story Cenk points out is that it polls even better among Democrats than a wealth tax, which is also wildly popular among Democrats. Yet despite 81 percent support in the party, Medicare for All is being promoted by only a handful of the 20+ Democratic candidates. “Think about how extraordinary that is, Cenk says, “because their whole career rides on it. They could be President of the United States and they still go, ‘No I'd rather screw over the voters and take my chances in losing than actually support something that my donors don't support.’” Dem Voters Want Medicare For All News, Notes & Reminders Margaret Cho on The Convo: Comedian, Actress and Author Margaret Cho will be joining us on ‘The Conversation’ later today! Cho is a Grammy and Emmy-nominated stand-up comedian best known for her routines that often include social and political critiques. Tune in at 8:00 pm ET /5:00 pm PT on TYT.com/Live to hear about her 'Fresh Off the Bloat' tour and new podcast. Item Two: Description. Dates and times bold face. Disrupting Buttigieg: TYT Investigates' Jonathan Larsen has secured the first national interview with the man who interrupted the Pete Buttigieg campaign event last Wednesday. Find out what the protest was all about by watching the interview here. TYT Book Club is Back! The TYT Book Club is back from hiatus and we want you to participate! The book we'll be reading and discussing is Civilized to Death by NY Times bestselling author Chris Ryan. To avoid missing out, go over to the TYT Book Club Facebook Page and join up today! Coming Up On Today's Show... TWO FULL HOURS of Ana and Cenk today on the main show. Topics they'll be covering include: On the first day of Judiciary Committee impeachment hearings, Republicans obstruct and delay Meet the Press CREW laugh at Ted Cruz's suggestion that Ukraine meddled in 2016 elections Devin Nunes thinks a reporter asking him a question counts as 'stalking' Leaked documents show government knew all along that Afghan War going poorly Why doesn't Joe Biden want too many Democrats elected into office? ... And much more! Watch live starting at 6:00 pm ET FREE TRIAL OF TYT MEMBERSHIP Enjoy A Free Week Of TYT © 2019 TYT Network & The Young Turks, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Too much TYT? Update preferences to manage the types of newsletters you receive or unsubscribe entirely. The Young Turks | 6230 Wilshire Blvd Box #140 Los Angeles, CA 90048 If you have questions or comments about anything in this newsletter, please email the editor here. FREE TRIAL OF TYT MEMBERSHIP Enjoy A Free Week Of TYT