The Chief Business of America is...?: Thoughts on the struggle between corporate and human values

[marmar]

from Reclaim Democracy:



The Chief Business of America is...?
Thoughts on the struggle between corporate and human values


By Cedron Jones
Published November 4, 2007



"The chief business of the American people is business."
-- President Calvin Coolidge, 1925.

The sentiment expressed by Coolidge remains prominent today. During the past regular session of the Montana Legislature, an assertion by members of the big-business lobby that a certain bill was “bad for business” often was sufficient to kill it.

But wait a minute. Our economy is the world's largest, and our society arguably is the richest in history. One might think so much wealth would permit consideration and pursuit of other values and goals, like stronger families and communities and a more healthful environment. So how is it that “bad for business” can trump “good for workers,” “good for the environment,” or “good for democracy?”

In spite of our great wealth, public opinion polls consistently show economic concerns near the top of public concerns. There are at least three explanations for this. One is the success of advertising and corporate propaganda, continually exhorting us to define ourselves, and life's meaning, through consumerism. Another is the growing suspicion that our economy is more fragile and less sustainable than Wall Street and the economic “experts” would have us believe. And finally, there is the growing disparity between rich and poor, which raises concerns and anxiety about money regardless of what our actual level of wealth may be.

Complementing and confusing our fixation on the economy is the success of the corporate elite in equating “business” with their large, often transnational and multilayered corporations. They've convinced many small businesses and farms to see their interests as more aligned with large corporations than with their neighbors, communities and local ecosystems.

It also depends on corporate personhood — the notion that corporations have the same legal rights as people. These factors together restrict our ability to differentiate between independent businesses and the Wal-Mart Corporation, or between a farmer and Tyson Foods, Inc., in crafting public policy. In other words, we are forced into a “one size fits all” situation — one law to cover a family farm, Wal-Mart, and everything in between. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://reclaimdemocracy.org/articles/2007/cedronjones_beyond_business.php

[babylonsister]

1. Making money, by whatever means necessary, regardless of who

gets trampled in their greedy rush.

Oh, I thought you were askin'! :hide:

[marmar]

2. I always want to hear your thoughts, babylonsister!

:hi:

[aquart]

3. The business of America is business. But what is the purpose of America?

What is the purpose of this "business"? To perpetuate itself? To make a narrow class of people extraordinarily wealthy? What?

As Americans, we believe we have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If a business obstructs those rights, does the business have a right to exist? Are we not obligated to test businesses against that basic standard?

(If a corporation is a person, can a corporation be tried and executed for murder?)

What is our purpose as a nation? Why have we joined together as a nation under one banner? Why this nation and not another?

The economy of a nation is certainly its lifeblood. A well-regulated business will assure that lifeblood is healthy and constantly circulating. But an unregulated business can become a parasite, leeching the wealth of a nation and leaving it weak and unable to defend itself. See Enron, Halliburton, Blackwater.

We need, now, to carefully understand our national purpose, and craft our laws and practices accordingly.

[SteelPenguin]

4. Semantics

The business of America is business. I also don't think that just because some schmuck says X is bad for business makes it so.

Some idiots who run businesses (how so many stupid people manage to make money is beyond me sometimes) only look at short term line items.

Develop that land next to our building as a small park for our employees to use? Waste of money. They can sit outside on their own time. Bad for business. Except that by providing your employees with healthy natural options like that, and also provide back to the community you make happier healthier employees who work harder and increase production. Good for Business.

Anytime some fatcat bigwig accountant says 'bad for business' don't just take his word for it. Sometimes those line items are just the opposite, and the only reason these guys oppose it is that they're short sighted assholic morons.

You know what's bad for business? Not having universal health care. That's bad for business.