SCOOP Ice cream company co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield were at the National Press Club on Monday morning making their case for and sharing their stance on economic justice and the Occupy movement. “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out. What the Occupy movement is saying is that it doesn’t have to be that way. We can create a system that works for everyone, but in order for that to happen, we need to create a system where everyone’s voice is equal. One person, one vote, not one dollar one vote,” Cohen preached.
The Ben & Jerry’s exec continued to talk about why we should support the movement, insisting that it is good for businesses and the American economy. “The movement has been criticized because it does not have a concise list of demands, but the demands are clear: Stop running the country in the narrow self-interest of the rich and powerful. Return to the ideals that this country was founded on. It’s about values, fairness, equality and justice,” he said.
Part of Ben & Jerry’s efforts are to roll out a new campaign called “Get The Dough Out of Politics,” which advocates for companies to not spend money to influence elected officials. “Ben & Jerry’s does not contribute any money to partisan politics and never has,” Greenfield divulged.
The details of the initiative are still being flushed out, but Cohen says they likely could include a new ice cream flavor.
