“It's nothing personal, it's just business”, an expression that used when one person experiencing good news delivers disappointing news to another.  It is intended to remove responsibility or humanity  from social intercourse.  It is carte blanche to do whatever is needed to improve the state of business over anything related to the personal relationships that might be temporarily injured or permanently destroyed. The business of business is all about profit, making more today than the day before.   The only obligation a business or corporation has is an obligation to itself.  Nothing else matters. 

"Please know that although you lost your home, lost your job, had your savings wiped out, saw a loved one die because there was no one to pay for the medicine, it's nothing personal, it's just business."  In other words, I see that you have suffered by way of this outcome, but I have gained, and that is acceptable under the terms of our relationship.  I owe you nothing.  Good day, sir. 

Business is not evil but business is also not kind.  I am not trying to make the point that corporations are monsters, but I am also not agreeing  with the accepted notion that corporations exist to serve humanity or have an altruistic nature.    If you ever had a friend who told you he would not lend you a hand because “There is nothing in it for me”, that friend would be business. 

I am reminded of this when I hear that a particular individual running for office is unqualified because "they have not worked in the private sector" or when I read that things would be better if we just got government out of the way and let business take over.  

Do we really believe that the elimination of compassion, empathy, and charity will lead to improvements in our lives, in our schools, and in our hospitals?   Must something "turn a profit" in order for it to be worthwhile?  Where is this message coming from?  

To find the answer, I would ask you notice where you heard it.  You will find that it comes from media sources that are (imagine that), funded by corporations and business in general.  You hear that "the government can't do anything right" and that "things are better in the private sector", all followed by "a few words from our sponsors".   These sponsors are the same ones who will look at you when you are in need and deny you help because "It's nothing personal, just business."  

The simple truth is that we need both business and government. We need to protect the rights of the individual to pursue happiness but we also need to be assured that we the people are not harmed by that pursuit.   Our rights and our freedoms are only assured when our government is strong enough to protect them.  If we weaken our government, as is being suggested by big business and their supporters, we will only see a further erosion of our quality of life.