Instead we've got rich slobs like Dick Cheney riding the power and greed wave while American families live in their cars and eat pop-tarts from some one's garbage can, while digging in the seats for enough change to get little feverish Ashley a strep throat culture. Or maybe some aspirin.
One big solution is jobs, good jobs, jobs that allows a family to have a running car or two, cover their basic medical needs, and keep the frig full. Also an environment that isn't poisoning our water, our soil, and our rain, and food sources that don't convert our bodies to cancer factories. But all those greedy corporate CEOs and investors cry that regulations will strangle profits.
So I propose an idea; the AMERICAN COMPANY idea.
What if we had an official designation where corporations could call themselves AN AMERICAN COMPANY if they followed some rules. They are free to do whatever the hell they want as long as it's legal, but must follow stringent guidelines in able to add AN AMERICAN COMPANY to their logo. Then consumers are free to support AN AMERICAN COMPANY with their business and truly vote with their dollars. And we'd have a tough governmental office that kept those companies compliant, or yanked their status.
I realize that the criteria would be a shit storm of political haggling, but here's what I'd like to see on the list for starters. The X's are open to ideas. What would you add?
1. All corporate offices are located within the 50 states.
2. 75% of all employees reside and work within the 50 states
3. 50% of all employees make a living wage for their area
4. CEO and stockholders cannot make more than (X)% of their lowest paid employee
5. (X)% of profits are used for needed retraining and job creation.
6. The EPA gives at least a 75% stamp of approval on all waste treatment, energy usage, etc. Alternative energy receives a taxpayer supported incentive.
7. No corporate donations that influence or affect elections are given out.
8. Family-friendly programs are provided, such as on-site daycare and job sharing.
9. Profit sharing is open to all employees.
10. Retirement plans are tightly regulated and guarded.
12 comments:
I like this! I would add that the CEO has to live within one mile downwind of the factory.
Dick Cheney? Hey, what about people like Oprah, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Tiger Woods, George Soros....the list goes on. Money grubbing celebrities, entrepreneurs, and sports figures. They should also have a cap on their salaries. I mean, isn't there a point where you have enough money??
Agreed Tara, fully agreed. But Dick Cheney is evil, and I'll vilify him on my blog any chance I get.
I can't believe I'm going to mitigate on the Oprah hate, but she makes a metric shit ton of money by selling moronic platitudes to people foolish enough to buy them. No one is forcing those rubes to spend money on that crap. Gates, Buffet, Woods, Soros... is anyone literally forcing the public to buy their products or pay for their services?
Cheney, on the other hand, lied this country into an illegal and unnecessary war in Iraq and funneled billions of tax dollars into Halliburton, a company he profits from personally. Hundreds of thousands of people are dead and he's still profiting from it. American soldiers are dead because Halliburton cut corners just to push their profits up a wee bit more. So vilify away, Mnmom.
Granted there are those like Oprah and Bill Gates and many others who are billionaires how many times over. However, considering how many gifts people like Oprah and Bill Gates bestow on society I don't think I'd quite lump them in the same category as someone like Cheney. Don't recall ever seeing him give a red cent towards the welfare of his fellow man in this country. But aside from that, I do like your idea. Now to find a way to put it to work!
What a great idea! Sorta like the old "Look for the union label" but this would be bigger!
I love this - I also hate Oprah sorry. She annoys the crap out of me.
Great idea! See what you can do to get it implemented.
What about small businesses? These are great goals for large corporations, but small business can't support child care centers and most can't do livable wage(even though most would like to). Would there be a separate guideline for them? I love your ideas!
Lindsay - yes! Separate guidelines for small businesses. Mostly I'm thinking about the Targets, the Wal-Marts, Pepsico, etc.
I like all these ideas.
I still buy American anytime I can find that label so I think it's an excellent idea. I'd rather pay a little more so people can have a living wage than have to worry about homeless shelters, food pantries and the like.
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