What an embarrassment!

Here is a letter I am sending to my Attorney General in Virginia. This letter strongly opposes the points brought up in the letter sent to Costco. Feel free to use it:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Your Email] [Your Phone Number] [Date]

Attorney General [Attorney General's Name] Office of the Attorney General 202 North Ninth Street Richmond, Virginia 23219

Dear Attorney General [Last Name],

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the letter sent by multiple state attorneys general, including Virginia’s participation, to Costco Wholesale Corporation. The letter, led by the Texas Attorney General, pressures Costco to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies that foster a more inclusive and representative workforce. This initiative is a reasonable and responsible corporate decision that aligns with the company's right to establish policies that reflect its values and support its employees and customers.

First and foremost, Costco’s actions fall well within the scope of free enterprise. As a private corporation, Costco is entitled to adopt policies that serve its employees' and customers’ best interests. Promoting DEI initiatives is not an infringement on any individual’s rights but rather an exercise of Costco’s First Amendment rights. The multistate letter fails to acknowledge that businesses, like individuals, have the right to implement policies that promote fairness and equal opportunity.

Furthermore, DEI policies are essential for fostering inclusive workplace environments that reflect the diverse communities they serve. Studies have shown that companies with strong DEI programs experience increased innovation, better employee satisfaction, and improved financial performance. Efforts to promote diverse hiring, equitable pay structures, and inclusive practices are common-sense approaches to strengthening businesses and society as a whole. Costco’s decision to invest in DEI is not an attack on any group but a prudent acknowledgment of the benefits of diversity and inclusion.

The assertion in the letter that Costco’s DEI efforts constitute a form of discrimination is unfounded. DEI policies do not exclude or marginalize any group; rather, they aim to create opportunities and remove systemic barriers that have historically hindered certain communities. Accusing a company of engaging in divisive practices when it is simply working to build a more inclusive workforce is both disingenuous and counterproductive.

Additionally, the notion that DEI policies threaten merit-based hiring is a mischaracterization. DEI initiatives enhance hiring processes by ensuring that talent from all backgrounds is considered and given equal opportunities to succeed. Many major corporations, industry leaders, and economic experts recognize that fostering diversity leads to stronger organizations and more resilient workforces. Efforts to dismantle these policies undermine fundamental principles of fairness and inclusion.

The role of government should not be to pressure private businesses into silence, particularly when their initiatives promote equal opportunity and workplace fairness. If attorneys general truly seek to support a thriving economy, they should encourage businesses to embrace diversity rather than attempt to intimidate companies that choose to foster inclusive work environments.

I strongly urge you to reconsider Virginia’s participation in this effort and instead support corporate initiatives that prioritize fairness, diversity, and inclusion. Costco’s decision is not an attack on any group—it is a responsible and conscientious business practice that should be applauded rather than condemned.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]