Other People's Money

Here at Join The List, we are certainly not economists. One thing we do know is that with publicly traded companies, the need to create and expand growth is never ending. Shareholders are not satisfied with status quo, so these companies are forced to squeeze out more "growth". They need to create stock appreciation at any cost.

The benefit: Stock growth for shareholders (real money from stock growth is really only applicable for the wealthy) and lower costs for goods (hopefully).

The cost: Loss of jobs to technology, loss of jobs to outsourcing, loss of good jobs to be replaced by lower paying service sector jobs. Loss of benefits, potential risks to environment (ie. outsourcing of USA jobs at plants with environmental standards to places without). The list goes on and on....

Again, Join The List is not against Capitalism. All we are saying is that consumers can make more of an effort to support local, privately owned businesses. Just think of this next time you pass a quaint local coffeehouse to buy a venti mocha latte.

In recent years, the environmental movement has had quite a bit of success with this. Now advertisements for international conglomerates flaunt their great desire to be environmentally friendly. Yeah right! They would fill the Grand Canyon up to the rim w/ sand if it would mean another penny of profit on their financial statements. The point is that corporations could care less about the environment, but now are making efforts in order to please their customers.

And besides.... corporations have no soul. Even "hip" companies like Apple and Starbucks. Regardless of how they promote themselves.... profit is by FAR their greatest priority.

There is actually a great movie that describes the struggle between the major corporate world and financial systems vs. small business (with a shred of loyalty to workers) trying to survive. It is called Other People's Money. The movie is pretty hokey and Danny DeVito is NOT a convincing high powered executive, but it is still a pretty good flick. What ever happended to Penelope Anne Miller anyway?