A Different View of Van Andel Philanthropy

Surfing some of the Blogrolls, I found this opinion on Rule Of Reason.

I’m enjoying a vacation from CAC for a little bit, but the following stories came across my desk and I thought they were worthy of some commentary:

On December 7th, the Detroit Free Press reported the death of Amway co-founder Jay Van Andel. The Press reported Van Andel’s support for conservatism.

The company also has been controversial because of its almost evangelical zeal in promoting free enterprise, and gained attention with DeVos' and Van Andel's high-profile participation in Republican politics . . . [Van Andel] chaired the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was a trustee of the Heritage Foundation, Hudson Institute, Hillsdale College and the Advisory Council for American Private Education.

A businessman willing to defend free enterprise? Sounds like a great thing, right? The trouble is, Van Andel’s supported conservatism.

The Rule of Reason: Weblog of the Center for the Advancement of Capitalism

A somewhat different evaluation of the efforts to advance capitalism and identifies the dichotomy between political and social belief systems. Will no doubt spark debate in some corners.