There's been a lot of discussion about greed and corruption in America, particularly as it relates to current economic turmoil. The corporate world is a favorite scapegoat. Are corporations the most destructive element of greed in our society? Consider the following:
- Corporations control millions, and in some cases, billions of dollars of wealth.
- The U.S. Federal Government makes decisions involving hundreds of billions, sometimes trillions of dollars of wealth.
- Corporations depend on voluntary transactions.
- The Federal Government confiscates wealth by force.
- Corporations are generally expected to provide some kind of product or service for the money they acquire.
- Federal officials can do whatever they want with your money.
- Corporations held accountable by their stockholders, customers, and in some cases by Congress. They must take these pressures into account on a continuous basis. If a corporation fails to balance these competing pressures, it faces extinction. Corruption is swiftly punished.
- Federal officials are held accountable by their constituents, but voters are lazy and apathetic. Elections come along periodically, but voter turnout is generally very low. In contrast, special interest groups and lobbyists are motivated, organized and energetic. Corruption is therefore practically guaranteed.
- When greed and corruption suck the life out of a corporation, thousands of lives may be adversely affected.
- Greed and corruption in the Federal Government have the potential to drag the entire world into a global economic depression.
Looking for the most destructive element of greed and corruption in the world? Look no further than the Federal Government of the United States of America.
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