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It's interesting to me how this article frames crony capitalism as a use or abuse of government by corporations, almost as if the government is a victim. But it
by saas_sam 9y ago
It's interesting to me how this article frames crony capitalism as a use or abuse of government by corporations, almost as if the government is a victim. But it's the government that has all of the power in this context. There's something to be said for corporate money influencing elections, but even there it's elected officials who are deciding on policies after getting there, and if they are making decisions based on how to most easily keep their job (ex. take corporate money for reelection campaign), that's their unethical doing, not the corporations.
- bjl 9y agoKnowingly providing incentives for people to do something unethical is itself unethical. The corporations aren't blameless here.
- mtberatwork 9y agoIndeed, this is even outlined in the infamous Powell memo: "Business must learn the lesson ... that political power is necessary; that such power must be assiduously cultivated; and that when necessary, it must be used aggressively and with determination—without embarrassment and without the reluctance which has been so characteristic of American business." [1] [1] http://billmoyers.com/content/the-powell-memo-a-call-to-arms-for-corporations/ http://billmoyers.com/content/the-powell-memo-a-call-to-arms...
- RobertoG 9y agoI think that the lesson to learn here is: nevertheless the system, government or not, capitalism or not, the powerful always take all they can. It's the duty of the less powerful to fight for more of the pie for the majority.
- candiodari 9y agoWhat is more worrying is that all the suggestions in this article are that either government needs to grow, or "just needs to change". More tax. And generally more. More tax, of course, will worsen this problem as government spending on large companies only is exactly the problem.