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Look unless the government implements some massive new regulartory body with powers to seize data and levy multimillion dollar fines for non-compliance, and jail time for members of a board, this is all a dog and pony show.
Congress has no teeth against industries unless they have watch dog groups like the FDA and FCC (at their prime, not their current gutted state). Otherwise enforcement and regulation is a joke.
It has its purpose. Greed is what's killing our country.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
Greed is what led us to war in Iraq.
Greed is what led us to the mortgage crisis.
And now, greedy oil companies continue to suck what little finances we have left so they can increase their bottom line. Something has to give.
Then add to this, rising healthcare costs and social security, and we're left with a shit load of money going out the door and not a whole lot coming in. It's bad for the economy.
IMO, the easiest way to trim off the fat and put more money into consumers' pockets is to regulate these motherfuckers or - at the very least - have them reinvest some of the billions of dollars they earn each quiarter into something tax payers normally pay for (public transportation, road maintenance).
I understand the American dream and capitalism and all that blah blah blah; but when I see a bunch of assholes getting filthy rich off of the average joe's hard-earned money and they do nothing nothing to keep the costs reasonable so the average joe can live a normal life, I can't help but feel that these oil companies are acting more like sophisticated criminials than business people.
Yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Type Ryan
You honestly believe all of that? Seriously?Quote:
Originally Posted by Type Ryan
Let's focus on the mortgage "crisis". Please explain how corporate greed led to that one.
Also, please explain how regulation, which will absolutely lead to less take home pay for every American, helps this.
Lemme ask you something.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoshi
Do you honestly believe unchecked capitalism is any less of a threat to a stable economy and what the American citizen can take home than unchecked socialism?
The only danger of pure capitalism is monopolies. As long as competition exists, the consumer can act as the check and balance system better than any government ever will. Look at alternative energy as an example. People buying hybrids or eco diesels or whatever send the message that car companies need to make those to compete more and more. The government doesn't need to pay for research or regulate. The free market drives the right behavior because the consumer demands it.
Which is why the electric car was killed dead on the spot when it proved popular.
Define "popular".
Having to get them physically reposessed from members of the test-market? You could say that's a sign they were "well liked".
So people didn't want to give up something they got for free. That doesn't equate to a profitable business venture.