Friday, June 3, 2005

Here We Go Again

Apparently, Bush is convinced that the problem with big businesses is that too many people just don’t trust them. So he has nominated Christopher Cox to head the S.E.C. Well, tell me…should we trust Big Business? Can you think of any reason at all why we shouldn’t? (hint: think Bernie Ebbers. Think Enron, etc, etc.)

“Mr. Cox - a devoted student of Ayn Rand, the high priestess of unfettered capitalism - has a long record in the House of promoting the agenda of business interests that are a cornerstone of the Republican Party's political and financial support.

A major recipient of contributions from business groups, the accounting profession and Silicon Valley, he has fought against accounting rules that would give less favorable treatment to corporate mergers and executive stock options. He opposes taxes on dividends and capital gains. And he helped to steer through the House a bill making investor lawsuits more difficult.”


I especially like this one... “He opposes taxes on dividends and capital gains.” That is saying that he opposes taxing any money that you make by playing the stock market. Or even more simply said; he opposes taxes on gambling earnings. Although I feel he has a far different view when it comes to losses.

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:22 PM

    Hello bro
    If your warning is a correct view to take. "Enron = evil, Enron = business therefore business = evil" How about an example where there are no bad apples in the barrel.Abu Grav(sp) = evil, US soldier = Abu Grav, US soldier = evil. There is no end. Where do we go from here?

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  2. But I didn't say that all business is evil...what I said was that all businesses can't be trusted. And that is true. Businesses exist to make money. Some do it ethically and some don't. But all must be watched carefully because they all claim to be the "good guy".

    And as far as soldiers go...they are just like us, because they are us. And it's also one of the reasons why they have brigs and MP's. No, they are not all "good guys" and you can't excuse a soldier just because he or she is a soldier.

    Where do we go from here? Examine carefully all statements, be cynical; it's an advantage! I worked for a large business, a highly successful business and they had a Code of Ethics to follow. Some people didn't and I saw them fired. So far so good...but I also saw some of them ignore ethics when it suited them. Overall, they were one of the best. But trust them?

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  3. I was at a Earth Day event a few years back pitching recycled paint. Classes were coming up asking us all sorts of questions about recycling of paint but one student asked the million dollar question, "why?"

    When I responded "to make money" his teacher went ballistic and rushed him away as if making money was bad. What is ethical and unethical is very relative and often a matter of perspective. To a socialist what one business does and how it makes money may seem barbaric and unchecked capitalism while to a moderate to conservative it is completely acceptable. There has to be a balance between buisness and regulations but the idea that making a profit is wrong (like so many of the anti-war protestors claim) is obsurd. As Christian it is imperative that we not allow people or business a pass because they generally support our point of view on other issues. We need to be the light in the world illuminating injustice and proclaiming the mystery made known in Christ. That is the only true way for the redemption of humanity.

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  4. Anonymous4:12 PM

    "be cynical; it's an advantage"

    I could not agree less! It might be safer, but the bible calls us to be wise not cynical.

    From Websters

    synonyms CYNICAL, MISANTHROPIC, PESSIMISTIC mean deeply distrustful. CYNICAL implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity (cynical about politicians' motives). MISANTHROPIC suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society (a solitary and misanthropic artist). PESSIMISTIC implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life (pessimistic about the future).

    I don't believe God calls us to be either misanthropic or pessimistic.

    Spoken in true Christian love of course : )

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  5. Of course, brother! But in the context I used the word, it was appropriate. Examine all...be cynical (while doing it)

    Like all definitions...there are disparities between them. Merriam Webster:Main Entry: cyn·ic
    Pronunciation: 'si-nik
    Function: noun
    Etymology: Middle French or Latin, Middle French cynique, from Latin cynicus, from Greek kynikos, literally, like a dog, from kyn-, kyOn dog -- more at HOUND
    1 capitalized : an adherent of an ancient Greek school of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the only good and that its essence lies in self-control and independence
    2 : a faultfinding captious critic; especially : one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest

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  6. Anonymous12:15 PM

    I'm assuming you would claim defintion #1 as your's : )

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