Be concerned about big businesses

We can’t live without them, and we can’t live well with them.

Many years ago the problem with the robber barons was recognized, and something was done about them.

The gross abuses of workers were recognized, and unions were formed, reducing the long hours, extremely unsafe conditions, and much more. Government actions also resulted from big business abuses.

Large businesses are necessary for many things that make our daily life possible, such as vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and many products that are not really possible if it was up to smaller businesses and individuals to produce.

When big box stores opened, small locally owned businesses were forced to close. Local stores were largely family owned and treated employees like friends and family.

The big box stores have seldom paid a living wage, putting a burden on the local non profits. The big box stores are owned by out-of-town corporations who rarely donate to local nonprofits, and then by in kind donations.

Even when some businesses appear to be locally owned, managers have to run requests up the flag to see if nonprofits could be benefited.

In recent years some of the pharmaceutical companies produced powerful narcotics that were useful but promoted in such a manner that created large profits for them while killing large numbers of people because they became addicted and frequently died. The resulting settlements cost the companies significant amounts of money from our perspective, but really caused no long term harm to them. Worse yet the people that owned and ran those companies were certainly guilty of killing many people, and suffered no real punishment.

This is basically a repeat of what the tobacco companies did. A large company that produced the vapor devices has done something similar, harming youth.

General Motors had a choice of which additives to put in gasoline and chose tetraethyl lead, knowing full well that it was dangerous. This has resulted in significant health damage to millions of people. Their choice was based purely on profit versus health of the nation.

Today, many companies, including the petroleum industry, food producers and companies that controlled rents of homes and mobile homes are making unjustified profits causing harm to many families, particularly low income families.

It is just not the financial harm but also the harm caused to our political system by those who blame their political opponents for what these companies are doing.

Many big companies pay politicians to blame other politicians for what the companies themselves are doing.

An existential harm is that many people blame the wrong people for many of the factors causing inflation.

It is hard to resolve the differences in this country with many politicians intentionally providing misinformation and fanning the flames of hatred.

I’m not sure what the solution is ,but it does not help to continue to add to the problem.

Citizens United campaigns call attention to the dangers of corporations being considered to be people and being able to secretly influence elections.

Far too many legislators vote against what their constituents want, and maybe even what they feel is best because they think voting in a certain way is more likely to get them re-elected.

Others are controlled by the members of their party or by a few powerful people within their party so that they cannot represent those in their district.

Unfortunately, we have also seen in places like Montana and Tennessee that the leadership has taken regretful steps so that the members of the opposition party are able to vote for or even represent their ideas.

We can support local businesses, especially those that give back to the community. Pay attention to which businesses sponsor the events that you attend.

I also pay attention to the diversity of employees.

Pay attention to how elected representatives at all levels vote. Do members of Congress and the U.S. Senate vote to give tax breaks to wealthy corporations? Do they take donations from large corporations that act in ways not in the public interest?

Make calls and send emails to let those representing you know exactly how you feel.

Support nonprofits and groups that represent your concerns and best interests.

Those that oppose your views are.