You could boycott In-N-Out or you could eat delicious burgers

Reports showing In-N-Out gave $25,000 to the California Republican Party are prompting cries that they should be boycotted, led by the head of the California Democratic Party.

Of course, the West Coast-based company, which boasts cheap, delicious burgers and milkshakes, has a right to donate its PAC funds to whomever it likes, just as Americans have a right to boycott whatever company or product they like. Sometimes a boycott, even one based on a trending Twitter story, can be effective.

In this situation, a boycott is likely to be counterproductive — it may increase In-N-Out’s business. It’s also worth noting how hypocritical this boycott is and why In-N-Out would have a vested interest in donating to Republicans.

As much as social media claims to hate Republicans, in the real world, it’s not uncommon for corporations to donate to the GOP. In 2018, more than half of contributions from AT&T’s PAC donations went to Republicans. Contributions from McDonald’s’ PAC too were split nearly in half, with 55 percent going to Republicans. Anheuser-Busch also donates to Republicans and Democrats, with the former garnering more contributions. In 2016, the company gave more than $1 million to Republicans and less than $700,000 to Democrats that year.

Is America giving up their Internet, Big Macs, and beer, too? I guess we could, but why? Do we hate ourselves?

Founded in 1948, In-N-Out doesn’t franchise and hasn’t gone public in order to maintain the quality of its products. It’s one of the few fast food chains to pay its employees more than state and federally mandated minimum wage guidelines. This has helped pave the way for the company’s success: Several reputable chefs love the restaurant, including Gordon Ramsay, Thomas Keller, Ina Garten, and the late Anthony Bourdain.

Why would a company as successful as McDonald’s or In-N-Out donate to Republicans who are obviously backward, bigoted, and stupid? It could be that the policies California Democrats propose and implement hurt the company’s ability to pay their employees, produce a good product, and foster growth. Despite federal tax cuts, California Democrats proposed legislation that would have forced them to give half of their cuts back to the government. California Democrats are fond of increasing regulations which ultimately hurt local businesses.

Or, it could just be that the Snyder family, which still operates the chain, is simply more conservative politically and otherwise simply wants to support Republicans. Either way, while a boycott is certainly anybody’s right, it’s kind of stupid. Boycotting a successful business for supporting conservative policies that help the company succeed seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

If that’s what people want to do, more burgers for the rest of us. Double-Double anyone?

Nicole Russell (@russell_nm) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner‘s Beltway Confidential blog. She is a journalist who previously worked in Republican politics in Minnesota.