Back in 1944, songwriters Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer gifted the world with an uplifting piece of music: “Accentuate the Positive.” Nearly 80 years later, Michael Seifert, the visionary founder, CEO, and president of PublicSq, is embodying those lyrics.
In a recent interview with Rebecca Weber, the dynamic host of AMAC’s Better For America podcast, Seifert proudly introduced his brainchild, PublicSq, as the “largest online directory of freedom-loving businesses in America.”
Seifert’s journey began in January 2021 when he envisioned a marketplace brimming with businesses that cherished the nation, revered the Constitution, and upheld the values enshrined in that hallowed document.
The essence of his idea was simple yet profound: to give the American people, through the potent tool of their wallets, the ability to shape a new society.
For years, countless corporations in the United States had veered away from the values cherished by millions.
This shift was notably evident in once-beloved brands like Bud Light and Target, which alienated their loyal customer base by embracing progressive social campaigns.
The turning point came when Bud Light, once a quintessentially American brand, embraced progressive values, leading to a 26 percent drop in sales.
Similarly, Target faced public backlash for lecturing customers on issues of gender and sexuality, leading to their first quarterly earnings miss in six years and subsequent stock downgrades.
Seifert astutely observed this trend of corporations morphing into political entities and recognized that consumers needed more than just the option to boycott; they needed a positive alternative.
PublicSq emerged as that alternative—a beacon of hope in a sea of corporate activism. Seifert emphasized that while boycotts were effective, there was a more proactive approach.
Why not channel your purchasing power toward businesses that champion patriotism, family values, and the fundamental truths of the Constitution?
This shift, he argued, wasn’t just about protest; it was about empowering consumers to make a difference, one transaction at a time.
Crucially, Seifert highlighted the significance of consumer choices. Every dollar spent, he stressed, was an endorsement of a company’s values.
When individuals unknowingly supported corporations that funded organizations like BLM, they inadvertently contributed to causes that might contradict their own beliefs.
Moreover, many of these companies advocated for open border policies, inadvertently funding a scenario where unchecked individuals, potentially posing threats, entered the country.
He pointed out the grim reality: terrorist attacks against US allies in the Middle East were perpetrated by military-age males often affiliated with organizations like Hamas.
Simultaneously, tens of thousands of unchecked individuals were crossing the American border daily, potentially posing significant security risks.
Seifert’s message was clear: consumers held the power to safeguard their country. By redirecting their spending to businesses aligned with their values, they could actively combat the funding of progressive policies and enhance national security.
John Grimaldi, a seasoned professional in non-partisan communications and a founding member of Priva Technologies, Inc., underscored the urgency of this paradigm shift.
With over three decades of experience as a Trustee of Daytop Village Foundation, overseeing a global drug rehabilitation network, Grimaldi recognized the importance of community and shared values in fostering positive change.
In the face of corporate activism, PublicSq emerged as a revolutionary platform, allowing Americans to reclaim their agency.
It was more than a marketplace; it was a movement—a movement rooted in positivity, patriotism, and the enduring spirit of the Constitution.
As Seifert and countless others encouraged their fellow citizens to wield their wallets as instruments of change, the landscape of American commerce stood on the brink of a transformative era, where every purchase became a vote for the values that truly mattered.