Politico:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is taking heat from Johnson & Johnson, Nike and other corporate members over its opposition to global warming legislation pending in the House.

In a letter to the Chamber, Johnson & Johnson has asked the Chamber to refrain from making comments on climate change unless they "reflect the full range of views, especially those of Chamber members advocating for congressional action."

Nike spokeswoman Anne Meyers said her company has also been "vocal" with the Chamber's leaders "about wanting them to take a more progressive stance on the issue of climate change."

It's a given among the left -- and perhaps a number on the right -- that corporations inherently "lean right." This is an important lynchpin for many, justifying otherwise comical-sounding allegations that CNN, The New York Times, MSNBC and other news outlets must be "right wing" simply because they are owned by corporations.

Capitalism is right wing, businesses are owned by capitalists, therefore businesses are right wing!

The flaw in the argument above emanates from the word "capitalism" -- the observation that only a few could afford the "capital" necessary to build the large factories which seemingly dominated the business scene in Marx's time. Yet genuine American fiscal conservativism is far more concerned with maximizing competition than maximizing "capital".

Businesses, on the other hand -- especially publicly-held ones -- are mainly focused on making money. This is not at all the same thing as wanting to encourage competition! Sometimes -- such as when a business is just getting started -- an environment which promotes competition appears favorable. But other times -- when an established business controls a significant share of the market -- competition can seem like a very bad thing. So established corporations will often wish to see the government pass laws to limit or discourage competition. (For example, pharmaceutical companies like the expensive tests required to release a new drug -- such a regimen reduces the threat from start-up drug companies which might otherwise invent better drugs on a minimal budget.)

Likewise, companies market themselves. This isn't just limited to saying "We make the best shoes!" Ideally, a brand conjures up positive images; when some leftist idea is fashionable or trendy, corporations will jump on board if they think it will help them sell more products. (And perhaps for altruistic reasons as well.)

Which popular cola drink modified its logo to remind people of John McCain, Bush (either one), or Reagan? None, but Pepsi is now deliberately associating its image with Barack Obama. The head of Pepsi has also expressed some extremely anti-American sentiments. The formulation "Pepsi is a corporation, corporations are right wing, therefore Pepsi is right wing" wouldn't predict that behavior. (Also note the example of Nike and Johnson & Johnson, above.)

Next, while many corporations make their money directly from the public, others are highly dependent upon the government. This includes both companies which make money directly from the government (like the defense industry), but also those whose profits depend on details of government rules. When this happens, corporations will try to back those candidates who will be most likely to give them money or favorable terms, or even willingly build a "partnership" where government and corporations lock arms and ensure each others' mutual success.

So during the last election, Wall Street -- the penultimate image of "right wing capitalism" in the mind of many -- supported Barack Obama over John McCain almost 2 to 1 ($7.9 million to $4.2 million, by last June alone). Considering the trillions of dollars poured back into Wall Street companies since then, and reports that the funds tended to go those who gave the biggest campaign contributions -- they appear to have made a very profitable investment!

People also think that corporations are opposed to taxes, so they must be opposed to more government. But that's also not necessarily true: when oil prices were still high, for example, we were told that we mush "punish" oil companies by raising gas taxes. Do you think they'd care? Not too much -- if each gallon is taxed equally, the gas companies simply all raise the price of gas by the same amount -- passing the entire tax along to the consumer!

Finally, remember that corporations are run by human beings, who sometimes inject their personal values into their business. Thus Warren Buffet leans left, and he uses his influence for "progressive" causes -- despite the fact Buffet is also one of the wealthiest businessmen in America.

So forget the idea that corporations are inherently wing. Corporations will embrace whatever political program or leader they think will make them money or protect them. In many cases -- especially among the largest and most powerful corporations -- this can often lead to an embrace of bigger, stronger government and demands for less competition -- or support for "progressive" programs which might cost consumers or taxpayers a lot, but won't hurt their own bottom line much.

When your "mental model" doesn't correctly predict reality, it means your model has a problem. In a world where both the wealthiest individuals and many corporations generously and blatantly supported Obama, the "reality-based community" should reconsider some of its key beliefs.