By a hefty margin, PhillyInc poll respondents say Philadelphia businesses have no particular responsibility to help to combat the city's worsening gun and violence problem. At least that's what they said in our unscientific and anecodotal, though perhaps indicative, online poll.
We asked: "Do local businesses and/or executives have a responsibility to help combat rising violence in Philadelphia?" The most popular answer, chosen by 45 percent, was: "No, their job is to prosper and create jobs, period." The second-most popular chosen by 29 percent was: "Yes, but they have shirked it and could do more." Two other options accounted for the rest. (Click below for bigger chart).
We were prompted by Philadelphia's ex-managing director Phil Goldsmith and Inquirer columnist Monica Yant Kinney, who say city businesses with so much at stake have been more talk than action on the problem. Responding to our poll and disputing Goldsmith, Mark Schweiker of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce insisted on the Chamber's blog that businesses have done quite a bit. Even so, he and Goldsmith do implicitly agree that businesses have a responsibilty to the community to help deal with the problem.
And that's where this poll is interesting. It seems most PhillyInc poll respondents think both guys are off-base on that point. In total, the share who answered "no" on whether business have such a civic obligation was 62 percent. That was 36 out of 58. (Yes, just 58 plus 1 write-in. We actually get hundreds of visits a day). You could argue, correctly, that our online poll is soft, anecdotal and unreliable. But perhaps no more unreliable than the way most people form opinions about what others think. Imagine it this way: Over the course of a year you attend 58 dinner parties, and 22 guests insist over apetizers that businesses ought to step up to the plate, while 36 scream during dessert that the job of businesses is business, period. For most people, just three people saying something make them think it's trend. Here's 36. Of course, that doesn't mean they're right. We intend to run Q&As with people on both sides of the topic. Stay tuned.
Comments (2)
In the 1950's cigarette companies spent billions of dollar trying to keep the information from the public that cigarettes cause cancer. Today, When you go into a convience store the whole back wall is filled fifteen different types of cigarettes brands.
In 1977, there was 9,945 murders in this country, 4,000 of which have never been solved.
Politicians put in the death penalty, brought back roadside chair gangs and longer sentences.
In 2005, there were 16,683 murders, 7,000 of which have never been solved. That is the yearly average, which means if someone kills you or your loved one, they have a 60/40 chance of getting away with it. It is worst in the large cities. I moved from Philadelphia to a small town in Florida whre the murder rate is two a year because I knew that people like you will keep preaching that guns don't kill. Then try killing someone with a broom or a stick of butter. People are irresponsible. They had to pass a law to make you wear a seat belt. They had to pass a law to make you wear a helmut on a motorcycle or bike. People like to think they are Clint Eastwood when they are really Don Knotts. It doesn't matter to me. I live in a small southern town and I don't smoke, don't own a gun and I always wear my seat bealt, but I'll keep reading about all the nurders in Philadelphia. Enjoy Thomas.
Posted by Mark Conte | October 1, 2007 10:50 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 10:50
Interesting questions, interesting responses.
The responses raise a new set of questions: How many of the people who responded were actually city residents?
What is the average income level (I am guessing is it above average?)
How many were business executives? (Who among us wants to criticize our own actions publicly) How many voices reflected those who live in violence-devastated neighborhood.
As an African American I respectually suggest that you add three new questions to your list: How many people feel that business leaders have a responsibility to promote an educated regional workforce?
How many people feel the business community is doing enough to help Philadelphia schools?
How many people in Philadelphia feel that racial biases effect hiring decisions at local companies.
If you hold a dinner party of vegetarians and ask how many want buffalo wings for an apetizer, the response is bound to be low.
The attitudes and values of the group greatly influence the responses you receive.
Posted by Linda | October 1, 2007 10:20 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 10:20