Corporate America is a problem?

[Strieber]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,59266,00.html

A very well balanced article that gives great perspective to what is happening with corporate America.....

[carlos]

maybe FOX "News" isn't as dismal as some of the primetime programming?

Tony Snow is starting to grow on me like a melted pint of Haagen Dazs.

good one.

[Bikin'chick]

Well, it makes for good reading, but, unfortunately none of the 'outraged' citizens will ever really 'do' anything about it...

[Strieber]

Originally posted by Bikin'chick
Well, it makes for good reading, but, unfortunately none of the 'outraged' citizens will ever really 'do' anything about it...

Maybe, maybe not. Here is a letter one of my friends wrote to several in the media and Congress. I'd like to see him try. Fox news is definitely worth watching. Fox primetime programming seems to be in a different category.

Quoteth John Greene (Ex-Enron Employee):
I have a question related to the ridiculous burden our Federal Government places on the backs of citizens in the form of income taxes. I have asked various organizations and other “authorities” on the issue but no one has been able to provide me an adequate response. I feel that the very premise of a progressive income tax is not only completely immoral but quite likely illegal as well. It is nothing but a dressed up form of discrimination that is a total violation of the individual liberties of the rich. In fact, I attribute much of the social and moral problems we face today in the U.S. to the very fact that the Federal Government’s single largest source of revenues creates an “us vs. them” mentality by the poor towards the rich.

As I previously indicated, I am starting a business at the moment and am having to really hustle to make ends meet and get the operation going. As I also previously indicated, I am an Ex-Enroner. I made a quite respectable income while I was at Enron but am by no means filthy rich. I have always thought the nature of a progressive income tax was entirely inequitable but am now experiencing firsthand how completely unfair it is. Now that I am not making any income whatsoever, it really makes my blood boil when I look back at the amount of taxes I paid over the last few years of my employment at Enron and the fact that I can never recoup any of it. When I also think about how difficult it is for me to make my venture a success without the adequate start up funds that were in effect confiscated from me by Uncle Sam I just about go postal!

So, I was wondering if you know if anyone has ever sued the Federal Government for discrimination. If so, what was the case and when was it heard? If not, what organizations do you think might be able to and/or be interested in bringing such a case? Our Federal courts have set plenty of precedent for anti-discrimination cases based on race, gender and age so why not one based on income? Were there any potential whatsoever to win such a suit and if I could get some help on the legal expenses, I’d love to do my part and take on the “system.”

On a slightly different topic, I also have a question for you regarding government accountability. I was reading an excellent article today on FoxNews.com called “Investing in Government Yields Low Returns” by Radley Balko. The article highlights the hypocrisy of politicians’ attacking corporations for accounting issues while the Federal Government is all but completely unable to perform basic accounting of its own activities. The article made me think about an idea a friend of mine and I have discussed over the past few years. Why is there no demand for the Federal Government to produce a balance sheet and income statement of its own? The answer to that question is probably pretty obvious: the pork pilferers in Washington do not want any light shined on the blatant theft and waste that they regularly engage in to get re-elected.

Granted undertaking such an effort would be massive and would indeed require some “fuzzy” math. I can think of no better way, though, to highlight the wasteful practices and policies of the Federal Government. Of particular interest, aside from the obvious “Expenses” on the income statement, would be the asset side of the balance sheet. This half of the ledger would include the USPS, Amtrak and the power authorities, Tennessee Valley and Bonneville, among many, many other assets. While all of these are complete disasters as they hemorrhage money, and compete directly with private enterprise, they do actually have value. Also, what are all the liabilities such as Social Security actually worth? I have no idea what either the assets or the liabilities are worth but it would surely create much needed public debate if someone were to publish an estimated value for them in a consolidated format. It is high time that the inner Beltway set start practicing what they preach.

Thank you in advance for your response, and please keep fighting the good fight.

Sincerest regards,

John M Greene

Houston, TX

[Jeff]

I do something about it every chance I get. Always choose the mom & pop shop over the chainstore. Find out who makes the product your buying. Sometimes there are small company options to gm....

[Coolhand]

I do something about it every chance I get. Always choose the mom & pop shop over the chainstore. Find out who makes the product your buying. Sometimes there are small company options to gm....

Ahhh yes, those evil corporate chainstores. They will be the downfall of society. Buy Mom and Pop, that will show 'em... and the government too. :D

[wildhare]

I buy micro brew and make my own beer, raise my own free range hens and grow alot of my own veggies.... Am I socially concious!?!? anyway drink micro brews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Weeg]

Customer Service is big in my Book

Customer Service seems to be a dying art form.

More and more businesses seem to take, and ALLOW their employees to take a lackadasical approach to customer service...