Free enterprise is a private effort. It is based on people saying “I can bring better products or better services to a segment of the marketplace than presently exist.” They need to marshal their own resources. Some succeed. Some fail. But it is the marketplace that decides, not government bureaucrats or other people of power. Free enterprise has a long-term track record of being the most productive, efficient, innovative, adaptable and job-creating economic system, bringing the most prosperity and quality-of-life to the most people.

Honesty and integrity, together with the rule of law, is the second essential component for a thriving democracy. This brings both rules and certainty of the rules, which a fair marketplace depends on. In case of disagreements it provides through a judicial system the most honest resolution process.

That people accept responsibility for their own situation rather than looking constantly to government or others to solve their problems. America became the land of opportunity because we had a tradition of people coming to this country and accepting responsibility for their own situation. Often they did not know the language. They were poor. Frequently they had to sleep ten in the room. They were, in the main, less blamers and less complainers and instead, they sacrificed, worked hard, and had the discipline to develop the confidence to make many of their own dreams come true.

Government, which makes the laws and maintains order. Government sets the rules and the tone.

Business, which creates the jobs and community wealth needed to bring economic opportunity and stability.

Nonprofit Institutions, which impact the quality of life including education, health care, arts and culture, youth activities, charitable concerns, and more.

What opportunities are there for my children?

What can I do with my spouse/partner on a Saturday night?

If the answers are negative, there is less opportunity to attract new people and more danger of flight from current residents.

Equality of opportunity, based on competency, for all people in the community.

That there be respect and support for a free and fair marketplace.

That the greatest social program in the world is the creation of jobs and that over- burdensome regulations hurt job creation.

That economic success created fairly should be supported and admired as it benefits the greater good.

That no business can solve all society’s problems or bear the costs of doing so.

Instead each organization must select issues that align with its business or its leaders’ aspirations for the community.

Constituencies that need to be considered include:

Children

Families and those adults not in families

Older people

This helps drive business and social values across the organization and the community. This allows companies to align specific goals and social challenges, and empower a company to set priorities, measure results and create a competitive advantage. They could include:

Assisting in the making of a better community so as to attract more people to the community, or

Assisting the educational system to have a better pool of employees, or

Assisting communities to have better social and athletic program for children to make the community more attractive by improving the quality of life for both children and their families, or

Assisting museums, theaters and other cultural organizations attract people to the community who appreciate the arts, or

Assisting adult education opportunities to promote the interests and well-being of those living there, or

Assisting healthcare to have a healthier community population.

And many more.

First it creates a bigger marketplace for growth, increased profits, and more opportunity for business success for those involved. Ultimately a healthy society creates expanding demand for business as human needs are met and aspirations grow. Any business that pursues its ends at the expense of the society in which it operates will find its success to be illusionary and ultimately temporary.
It creates hundreds of ways for the opportunity to have a better quality of life, which is a fundamental goal for most of us, for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.

It makes many employees proud and creates loyalties to the organization. This attracts quality people, reduces employee turnover, and motivates a greater purpose for the organization. It also is developmental for employees as they become exposed to greater areas of life.