Editor’s Note: This letter was written in response to Delilah Schmidt’s article about the funding from Chick-fil-A for anti-gay groups.
 
As a faculty member, I enjoy reading the opinion section of The Reflectorbecause I think that opening a dialogue on controversial topics is extremely healthy for academic institutions and humanity in general.
That said, I would like to reply to the opinion piece by Delilah Schmidt on Chick-fil-A in the Feb. 11, 2011 issue.
Ms. Schmidt argues that Chick-fil-A should be removed from the MSU campus because it is a “conservative Christian establishment.” As a business professor, I highly encourage Ms. Schmidt to continue to “vote with her feet.” Consumers have a right to choose where they want to spend their dollars, and they can make those choices based on a variety of factors (e.g., taste, service, values/views of the owners).
In America, unlike many other countries, consumers have an opportunity to make choices.
My concern is that Ms. Schmidt would like to take options away from individuals who may really love the taste of Chick-fil-A food, appreciate the service of the Chick-fil-A employees or identify with the values/views of Chick-fil-A’s owners.
Simply put, while Ms. Schmidt has the option to avoid Chick-fil-A for ideological reasons, she supports organizations like change.orgin trying to remove options for other consumers.
This seems fairly hypocritical, and it violates the concept of the American-style free market. If you do not want Chick-fil-A at MSU, don’t line up there for lunch.
If enough people go elsewhere for lunch, Chick-fil-A will close down.
Let markets, not ideology, decide.
As for me, I am on my way lunch … I think I will pick up Chick-fil-A today.