Yeah, AK, I called him at home and asked him.

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Oh, that is how you knew that was what he thought. Just wanted to be sure since I wasn't that sure what he was thinking. He didn't strike me as a fool and yet he was trying to jump for that ring. That was confusing.

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Paupers would have a problem greater than their possession of money. I mean, money is a pretty good indicator of success or lack thereof. Not a perfect indicator by any means. For example, Jesus was not born into wealth nor did he acquire any but his impact on history is probably greater than any other single person. But I think you would agree that Jesus was an exception in every respect. Most poor folks are unexceptional in every respect.

But folks of means, but not great wealth, also get elected. Like Clinton, Nixon, Johnson, Eisenhower, Truman, Obama, Hoover, Lincoln, etc. A mixed bag. Wealthy people provide a mixed bag, too. Like the Bushes, Carter, Harding, Roosevelt(s), Washington.

It would be interesting to see a graph of historically successful presidents vs personal wealth. I haven't seen one but I'll bet it is inconclusive.

BTW, we have been here before.

If a corporation can return a better profit by killing all of its stockholders is the corporation obligated to do so?

This isn't the only paradoxically schizoid malfunction in the current corporate scheme of things.

How long has it been since we had a legitimate government in the US?

Killing someone? Really reaching, aren't we? Can you show me some definition of a company that says it is supposed to be a humanitarian entity as well? We form a company to make money. It is that simple. Most are formed to operate within or bump as close to illegal as possible and some even do cross the line. At the end of the day, we can say all the nice words of "I care" but it boils down to making money. That is what my company is there for. To make ME money regardless of the nice things we might say to you about us caring for your wellbeing. If you choose to drink that Kool Aid, oh well.

Using your definition, there has never been a legitimate govt in the US or anywhere ever.

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Most rational people will refuse to patronize a business when they know that is intentionally and maliciously attempting to harm them, except when it's their employer, or a tobacco company, pharmaceutical company, agribusiness, car company..... umm nevermind, most people aren't rational.

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Unfortunately, it's not black and white. Companies in the US are, of course, in existence to make money. However, quite a few of them will operate well within the law and will make specific efforts to please their employees and customers well beyond the profit motive because they believe it's the right thing to do and that it will provide longevity for the company. This would be in stark contrast to the companies that look to capitalize on the slightest dime they can extract from their employees and their customers.

In the case of Wal-Mart, they have utilized a model whereby their employees needs and longevity are secondary to the short term profits for the organization. Financially, it has been successful for them............socially, not so much............I believe it has cost them quite a bit in the long run.

Learn history. Grow up.

Corporate behavior kills people every day. Always has. Construction workers, miners, drivers, soldiers, patients... Why would be such a stretch?

Governments are corporations too. Trail of tears, Holocaust...

People breathing exhaust fumes will make the list someday. Probably after many of us are dead with filthy lungs.

Your alternative should be interesting.

I don't believe a business goes out of it's way to harm you. It just doesn't care how it gets to the destination as to whether you get harmed or not.

Now, if you want to talk to me about social responsibility my company needs to have with you, I'm more than willing to negotiate. And by negotiate, I mean that I want some things from you. What is it you can offer? Say I set up a Chevy dealership in your town. Would you, in exchange for a certain amount of social responsibility and a modest profit on my part be willing to swear loyalty to me and never buy another car except from me even if it is cheaper somewhere? That is the issue. People like you ask for companies to have social responsibility but what will give much in return? Would your whole town agree to buy say tires from my shop and forsake say the internet source even if you can get it much cheaper there? I think not. Customers have NO loyalty to the business so why should the business have any concern for them in return? Everyone looks out for #1 but you want to rank somewhere in there for the company?

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If that longevity does come true then it is there for profit so doesn't that lead us to square 1? IF I do good thing for my wife and I get profit from it, isn't that simply me doing something for my own benefit still?

I agree with that.

We shall see whether socially it does end up costing them anything in the financial area. Somehow, I doubt it means much in the long run seeing as how people will generally look out for themselves but still giving lip service to not buying from Wal*Mart or just grumbling about it.

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People kill people. It is a fact of life. I accept that people are generally bad. I cannot change that.

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No it does not.

If you do a good thing, you MAY profit from it, however, your motives may not be simply to generate a profit.

This is where you fail to understand the slightest good in a person or a corporation. Not every single individual, or company is motivated simply by what they can get. Some do act in a fashion whereby some altruism is present.

It is not a black world...........I understand that you don't agree.

Money doesn't vote - but it decides what issues we vote on.

As to altruism, your motives must be such that you DO NOT expect to make a profit in ANY coin. Soon as you have the idea that you can somehow profit from it, altruism goes out the window.

I'm not saying every individual is bad. The universe being infinite, anything can happen. What I am saying is that betting on people being good is a losing proposition in the long run. Like they say "The race isn't always to the strongest or the swiftest but that is the way to bet."

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
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