Small business people tend, to a large degree, to care about their community and generally operate within the law*.
Unfortunately, large corporations are very much, the opposite. Those who live on the Gulf Coast... or in Alaska... or anywhere near a refinery, pipeline or petrochemical plant may understand this entirely too well. Multinational oil companies operate above the law or just disregard it. The United States was a perfect haven for oil companies... being our military was the police force of the world... along with our level of oil consumption, allowed them to operate under a blind eye. Certain communities dealt with issues like minor oil spills and contaminated ground water, but the controlled media kept it from the national attention. And when they really screwed up and it became clear they were screw ups to everyone... they ran clever PR feel good campaigns. It's all about the illusion... it's much easier and more cost effective, to change people's perceptions than to actually do the work.
I was reminded of this when I viewed this Youtube video relating to oil exploration in Ecuador.
Unfortunately, it's not just Equador. As devastating as that story is... the story is repeated over and over. Take Nigeria as another example.
That story brings up another interesting tactic used by multinationals. Partnering with the government. Once they have an agreement or a law written that absolves them of the liability of harm. They see it as a low cost alternative to doing good business.
It isn't just Ecuador and Nigeria, it's everywhere the Multinational Petrochemical companies have gone. Unfortunately that's allot closer to home than some might think. Did you ever hear of the Oil Spill in New York City? It's still going on today... and it probably even elected a new Governor of the state. Did you really think he was elected because he cares?
Exxon Reaches Settlement
Another example of how to establish a "partnership" with government. Buy a politician. Of course, that is just speculation on my part, but if you've studied politics long enough one finds out there are no coincidences when it comes to murder or politics. Isn't it curious Cuomo is closing the books on this case just before he leaves for the Governor's mansion?
”In politics nothing is accidental. If something happens, be assured it was planned" ~Winston Churchill
Before I get sidetracked...
Let me show you one more brief video on how this plays out in simple terms.
This story used to be true for those who lived in a 'Banana Republic' but now, every City, County and State within the United States has become another target for exploitation. And so it has come to be that those in the Federal government and those that have the resources to use that entity are pitted against the rest of us.
It's Christmas time... let's take toys as an example. We all know the story. Toxic toys from China are discovered.
List of Recalls: Toxic Toys from China - 2007
In 2008, Congress jumps to the aid of the consumer and passes a law. The regulation ( which no one read) however doesn't inspect Chinese imports, it shuts down their competitors, mainly small businesses.
Toxic Toy Bill Turns into Toxic Mess
And now in 2010, with every toy on the shelves now from China. Supplied through a Multinational with little liability, a staff of lawyers that can drag out a lawsuit for decades or the ability to pull a "BP", our community's toy marketplace was "Banana Republic'd" right under our noses. By the way... the toxic toys from China continues to be a problem.
Toxic Toys from China
Now I wouldn't recommend going into a small business making toys. You might end up in jail selling a homemade wooden rocking horse, but I would suggest opening people's eyes to what businesses, goods and services remain viable and start supporting small businesses that have tried to remain part of the community.
One last point... Why?
Why do corporations act the way they do? The short answer, in my opinion is two things: Incentives, the system rewards behavior that preserves the system; and lack of accountability, as long as they get away with bad behavior, they will continue to do it. As educated as the educated people who run corporations get, they still can't run from the facts... it's really that simple.
* When I saw "Law" I mean the Law of the land. The Constitution, not the system we have fallen under today that allows anyone with enough money or influence to write their own rules.
Pulling a "BP" was my reference to the supposed "resolution" between the politicians and BP... a $20 billion fine supposedly that will eventually be paid by you and me... because that money will be credited as tax paid.
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