. . . . . . . The Loss of Innocence in America. . . . .
Bruta, It is good that you practice responsible investing. Your heart is good and your points are certainly appreciated.
To all. . .
However, the problem in America extends to every industry. None are exempt. Greed is the primary motivator. And as the generations pass, the anger over mistreatment subsides. . .replaced with complacency. . . and an ever-growing tolerance for compromise.
Nearly all companies in virtually every industry participate in some sort of unsavory practice. The primary differences lie in our personal tolerance. You have a problem with Wal-Mart selling guns. I bought a very nice shot gun there once, which I use for sport. There is no going back to Main Street America. It is over. The mom and pops' kids no longer want to take over the struggling family businesses.
I agree wholeheartedly that unfair practices cost many hardworking business owners their jobs and even their dreams. . .but that finger should be pointed at every franchise and industry in America. Greed and bottom line has become more important than ethics, standards, integrity and tradition.
Home Depot put out the local hardware, where those guys could put their finger on the set-screw for installation of the the thermostat of a 1981 Westinghouse Electric Heat Pump within 2 minutes. . .whereas the kid in the Home Depot will say to you "try the plumbing department way down on aisle 21".
Likewise, a good friend had to close his office supply store, when Staples moved to town. Countless mom & pop restaurants have closed their doors, due to Dennys, Cracker Barrel, TGIFridays, Wendys and hundreds of other American franchised restaurants. The damage is done.
And where is the local grocer? The produce market? The butcher? The baker? The candlestick maker? Do we boycott Kroger? Food Lion? Albertsons?
Lets take this argument to the absurd. Isn't it sad that so many blacksmiths were run out of business by the tremendous popularity of the horseless carriage? And look at the American farmer. What was that figure I quoted about 6 months ago? 500 farmers file for bankruptcy each week in America? Which companies are responsible for this? John Deere for charging more for their tractors than most peoples homes? General Foods for buying and running their own farms? Louis Rich? Kraft? How about the the corporations [can't remember which] that are forcing farmers to buy seed which produces non-seed bearing produce. . . no longer can the farmer set aside a portion of his crop for seed. . .rather he must buy new seed each season.
Look at the history of unions and labor in America. Look at the practices of exploiting entertainers and sports figures over the years. . .where the stars of the 50's, 60's and early 70's are forced to attend autograph signing sessions to pay their bills. Try to get a record on national radio without paying the "standard" 6 digit figure to the syndicate. It has been proven many times that it will never happen. . . yet $1 mil+ will get you into the top 10 with a bullet.
I would imagine the Best Seller lists in the book business is similar. Jockeys know who is supposed to win before they mount. And professional wrestling is finely choreographed. I could go on like this, pointing to every industry in America.
Behind the curtain of Oz is a little man pushing the buttons. Nothing is as it seems. Not anymore. And I wonder if the writer of Wizard of Oz realized when they wrote that part. . . the symbolism of the loss of innocence in America that began in the early 60's. . .the fixing of "21", Tucker, Kennedy conspiracy, Cuban Missile Crises, Bay of Pigs, MK Ultra, Edgar Hoover, politically motivated war. . .these may have been the milestones that defined the loss of innocence in America, but it was the abolition of prayer in schools that directly corresponds to the increase of crime in America.
[I don't make this stuff up. . . check the statistics.]
Planned Obsolescence
Risk Tolerance
Calculated Risk
Cost of Doing Business
Margin for Error
Allowable Loss
Tolerable Levels
Within Legal Limits
No Admission of Guilt
Plea Bargaining
Reasonable Doubt
Financial Settlement
Minimum Requirements Allowed By Law
No Fault
No Comment
Professional Courtesy
Privledged Information
Non-disclosure
Acceptable Behavior
Legal Loophole
Absence of Malice
Necessary Casualties
Wag the Dog
The Lesser of Evils
Serving the Greater Good
Since the loss of innocence in America. . .
How many ways have we invented to explain the word "compromise"?
In order to save the village, it was necessary to destroy it.
God help us.
Rande Is |
