5/13 I'm just a dumb consumer and I just go to whatever store that is
closer or cheaper. And yes, I do shop at Wal-Mart and I don't
have any problem with them. Maybe they do predatory businesses
and maybe they don't. I don't know... and I don't really give
a damn. However, I just want to say that fundamentally, I have a lot
of problems with giving a lot of clout and power to a few selected
elite (and in this case, board members and CEOs).
The entire U.S. constitution was created so that it avoids pitfalls
of the past (giving too much power to European aristocrats) with
system of checks and balances, and by giving back some voices back
to the people. In the early 1800s, corporations were formed as
legal entities, with most of the rights of individuals AND
with all the power and clouts of aristocrats. We saw how things
got really ugly in the 20s and 30s, with the division and struggles
between Unions and Management, and later with new laws forming to
protect laborers. Right now, we're heading back to the old days
where the Union is weak and the Corporation is stronger than ever.
Fine, maybe Wal-Mart will always do ethical things. But can you
trust them to always to be that way? I don't know. |