The majority of Americans are opposed to controversial environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, and state finance officials around the country are committed to the fight, Breitbart News has learned exclusively.
A survey conducted by TargetPoint exclusively acquired by Breitbart News found that 56% of Americans agreed that “ESG is a highly subjective, politically charged idea that forces progressive policies on everyday Americans, causing almost every price.” In contrast, 27% opposed the statement, while 17% were not knowledgeable enough to register their opinions.
88% agreed that the government should focus more on protecting individual rights so that Americans can achieve prosperity, while 86% agreed that open debate and civil discourse should be encouraged to find solutions to financial and policy challenges.
ESG has become the latest vector that encouraged Wall Street asset managers such as BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street and Baillie Gifford & Company to adopt left-wing policies that would otherwise not return. Asset managers often urge businesses to adopt policies aimed at combating climate change, diversity requirements, and other policies that advocate for racial justice.
Oj Oleka, CEO of the State Financial Officer Foundation (SFOF), said in a statement to Breitbart News that polls reveal that Americans are increasingly tired of businesses being politicized.
He said:
This study shows that most Americans support what our finances do. They see state finance personnel defending their hard-earned taxes to be weaponized against them and their families, whether expensive ESG activism or CCP. Our finances are also leading the fight to stop banks from refusing to service American citizens based on political views. It's no wonder they won the trust of the masses.
When asked who is most reliable to make the right decisions on financial and financial issues, 47% said they refer to state finance officials, 31% said they were governors and 22% said they were according to legislators.
Americans trust state finances more than governors, attorneys and lawmakers when they manage state finances, oversee state investments, and when taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and financial transparency.
Many large asset managers, including BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, have made controversial policies infamous through proxy voting.
Below are some of the worst proxy votes for BlackRock and Baillie Gifford.
- In April 2021, BlackRock, which owns 7.5% of Abbott Labs, urged the company to publish a report revealing the company's plans to promote racial justice. BlackRock pushed a move that opposed Abbott's leadership wishes.
- In his comments on voting for the proposal, BlackRock commented: “We recognize the company's efforts so far, but we believe that supporting the proposal could potentially accelerate the company's progress on key social issues.”
- In May 2021, BlackRock issued a report on how to encourage United Purcell Services (UPS), which BlackRock owns 7.3%, and reduces the organization of the Paris Agreement, with the goal of reducing global temperatures at least 1.5°C.
- BlackRock voted and commented on the proposal, “We support the company's efforts to date on this important climate issue, but we believe that a favorable vote could accelerate the company's progress. ”
- May 2022, Black Rock Owned 6.8% of Home Depot urged the company to adopt a shareholder proposal that “oversees an independent racial equity audit that analyzes the negative impact of Home Depot on non-white stakeholders and communities of color.” Opinions from civil rights organizations, employees and customers should be considered when deciding on the particular issue to analyze. ”
- BlackRock said: “We believe that accessing greater disclosures on this issue is in the greatest interest of shareholders.”
State finance officials fought this kind of leftist invasion in the US of corporations.
That same year, Oklahoma treasurer Todd Russ (R) blacklisted 13 financial institutions believed to boycott the energy industry.
In 2022, Texas Director Glenn Heger banned BlackRock and nine other financial companies from working with Lone Star State after they declared hostility towards fossil fuels.
“The environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) movements have stopped making decisions in the best interests of shareholders and their clients, but instead have used financial influence to create an opaque and evil system that pushes secretive social and political agendas,” Heger said. statement at that time.
The strong pushback to ESG was part of the state's finances who led BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in 2023, lamenting that he hadn't “weaponized” the term “ESG.”
“We have an obligation to continue fighting to protect American money from disasters that awaken political ideology,” concluded Oreka.
Marlo Oaks of the Utah State Foundation, national chairman of the State Financial Officer Foundation, told Breitbart News: “They see radical power and ideology being funded in their dollars and expect us to push back. That's what all SFOF members do.”
“We will not take a break until these political movements no longer end up putting Americans on our own money in politics farther than retirement benefits,” he vowed.
Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him with x @seanmoran3.
