Delta has learned a lesson about sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong. In an effort to gain political clout with the current presidential administration, the company’s CEO spoke out against recent laws passed in Georgia that are intended to protect the integrity of the vote. All of this happened despite the company requiring ID to board planes. Unfortunately in currying favor with leftists, the company made some enemies — like Georgians.
Nearly all Americans support voter ID laws — especially after the 2020 election, where many suspect cheating ran rampant and ultimately installed Joe Biden in the Oval Office — and even replaced some Senators in Georgia. The situation was so bad that the state passed new legislation requiring, among other things, valid ID when submitting mail-in ballots. Democrats call reasonable measures to make sure all votes are from eligible voters “racist” and “Jim Crow-style.” Apparently, the CEO of Delta agrees.
“Last week, the Georgia legislature passed a sweeping voting reform act that could make it harder for many Georgians, particularly those in our Black and Brown communities, to exercise their right to vote,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian wrote in a statement. “After having time to now fully understand all that is in the bill, coupled with discussions with leaders and employees in the Black community, it’s evident that the bill includes provisions that will make it harder for many underrepresented voters, particularly Black voters, to exercise their constitutional right to elect their representatives. That is wrong.”
In response, Republicans in the state House voted to repeal a law that gave the company massive tax breaks on jet fuel. “They like our public policy when we’re doing things that benefit them, and they reap the rewards of those benefits and then turn around and do this,” House Speaker David Ralston said on Thursday. “As all of you know, I can’t resist a country boy line or two, you don’t feed a dog that bites your hand. You’ve got to keep that in mind.”
Unfortunately, the bill failed to pass the state Senate so Delta’s tax cut remains in place. But now the company knows that getting involved in politics can have a detrimental impact on its ability to do business. In other words, shut up and take your money, Delta — before we take your money from you.
