(USDA Photo by Lance Cheung)
Hypocrisy from politicians of the right who claim to be champions of the free market, but only do so selectively, was on display again this week at the state legislature.
The issue this time: agricultural lending.
Under a bill advancing in the state House, banks and credit unions would be prohibited from considering issues like environmental sustainability and greenhouse gas pollution when extending loans and other services to farmers. Sponsors say they’re targeting discrimination.
In other words, the bill, in effect, prohibits private businesses from deciding where they want to invest their own money.
Mind you: this is coming from the same conservative politicians who are trying to repeal every public law and corporate policy that promotes diversity and fair treatment for groups — people of color, women, LGBTQ+ citizens — who’ve long been the target of genuine discrimination.
And you really can’t make this stuff up.
The bottom line: Earth to conservative lawmakers: socially and environmentally responsible corporate lending and investing is not discrimination. Indeed, it’s something that we need a lot more of, not less.
For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield