Shame on Yoogle

In the past, Congress has passed laws that prevent American companies from doing bad things in other countries. For example, American companies cannot bribe foreign officials. It's bad business ethics and we as a country do not allow it. Censorship, too, is bad, especially when oppressive governments use it against citizens who engage in political and social action. It undermines American foreign policy encouraging democratization when companies help governments repress the rights of its citizens.

Google is one such company, and China is one such government.

The chief executive of Google (not exactly a fledgling company) has announced that he will not fight censorship in China and has no plans to push for a relaxation of the restrictive rules. And he is not alone. Yahoo and Microsoft have also taken the path more travelled, the one that leads straight to the bank, of course. And no one can blame them because they are doing what capitalists do in a capitalist society-- trying to make another buck.

Congress should intervene and pass legislation that prevents American companies from destabilizing foreign Democratic movements just as it has intervened to prevent the corruption of foreign governments.