The One Question that will stump ALL your Republican friends...

[JHB]

44. And how are they going to do that if they don't have jobs?

It can be a little tough to be fussy when you're trying to keep your head above water. Look at any thread that talks about Walmart: there are people who would gladly stop shopping there if they could afford to.

As to corporations and shareholders, I know how that works. I also know that it doesn't always work the way it is supposed to, with executives getting large compensation despite poor performance for the shareholders because their contracts stipulate it, thanks to overly-compliant boards. And plenty of small shareholders don't keep close watch on a company, or can't just sell because their shares are tied up in some sort of plan (you recall how Enron management unloaded shares, but employees with shares as part of their 401K were not able to sell).

What you highlight is the real need: to restructure the economy. Not necessarily big things all at once, but some action is necessary. I recall is some other thread you had mentioned supporting restoring a "public good" requirement for corporations operating in this country (please correct me if I have it wrong). There is also a need to shift thinking away from the quarterly report and towards more strategic thinking.