I read with interest Bruce Stone’s comments about progressives reaching out to business [Business Record, Aug. 21]. Unfortunately, he misses the mark by using excessive hype that begins with the terms “predatory capitalism and arrogant militarism.” I actually agree with much of what he says, but the terms used would be offputting to anyone on the right side of the aisle. This is unfortunate, because there are many valid arguments against many of the current administration’s policies.

The fact that Chuck Hegel from Nebraska is speaking out against the Bush agenda indicates that this message could indeed find resonance among conservatives. Their ability to spin a $300 billion deficit into good news (it could have been worse!) only disguises the fact that we are mortgaging our future at an astonishing rate.

Sadly, Mr. Stone chooses to hurl epithets instead of making valid arguments such as remembering how the Bush Administration relaxed fuel efficiency standards early in its tenure. In retrospect, that was a terribly shortsighted choice; it might not have had much impact, but [tighter standards] might have kept fuel efficiency research projects going that were otherwise shelved, only to be revived under the current market duress of today’s high fuel prices. The observation that the United States is addicted to oil came at least four years too late.

Progressives talk about compassion. How about compassion for the small business person trying to earn a living and build a business and legacy? That’s certainly not predatory capitalism. I believe an example of predatory capitalism is Wal-Mart pressuring manufacturers to send jobs to China so they can get even lower prices. But is it predatory to remove middle-class jobs from this country to a country with more lenient labor and environmental standards, or is that just acquiescing to an economic reality that business will seek out the lowest-cost labor? Perhaps this is a case where a good business reason does not constitute a good reason.

And while we’re on the subject, let’s not forget that unions share a good deal of blame by historically pursuing an adversarial relationship with management. They raised the cost of labor so high so fast that it’s no wonder Maytag got bought by Whirlpool, who promptly (and with good business reason) closed the Newton plant. I applaud that most of those jobs will stay in the USA.

Over time, I’ve come to believe that any time someone talks about “Us vs. Them” they are failing to see the bigger picture. It’s time for practical solutions that address root causes of problems. It’s time to forget ideologies, whether liberal, progressive or libertarian, neoconservative or conservative, because no philosophy or worldview has a monopoly on wisdom. They all have blind spots and they all shortchange someone.

Hank Greenburg, the former (now disgraced) CEO of AIG Inc., was often quoted as saying, “All I ever wanted in life was an unfair advantage.” It would seem the pursuit of the unfair advantage landed him in legal hot water. I hope many learn from that experience, and that it causes them to make business choices for the greater good.

Steve Chandler is the administrative coordinator for the Iowa Youth Chorus. He lives in Urbandale.