Understanding The Impact Of Corporate Greed On Societies At Large
Greed, what does the word mean? Greed can basically be defined as a sense of selfishness and an overall concern for oneself and wealth beyond anyone or anything else in the world. This is why many say, true evil is not money, but greed. However, most individuals have a sense of guilt, at least in times of such matters; When it comes to corporate greed, however, that is another story entirely. Therefore, it is good for one to know the core values of any business or corporation with which one intends on doing business.
With the recent government ruling in the United States that corporations have the same inherit right as individuals, a Supreme Court decision with which many citizens as well as the overall administration disagree, the door has left been wide open for even more abuse in this area, especially in America but also world wide. This is because along with elections which can now be easily bought and sold through a variety of unlimited contributions, corporations can often spend more in the way of campaigns than can help individuals. Therefore, while individuals can still donate to a variety of elections and campaigns, it is the large corporation with the money that is going to have the most influence when it comes election day.
One of the hardest hit areas with regards to corporate greed has effected a number of employees across the board, from those beginning work at such a corporation to those retiring from one. This is because many corporations often find reasons to lay-off workers the nearer one gets to retirement age. Whereas others, hire new employees on a set salary, yet require their attention twenty-four seven in some regards, or simply require individuals to work overtime without receiving additional pay for same.
However, it is when one does not wish to do so, that it becomes a problem. Sadly, this is a problem for many workers today who are paid either at or just under minimum wage with no pay for required overtime. Some companies attempt to cover this up by appointing a salary which when divided often is equal to or just above minimum wage. However, still without pay for required overtime. Therefore, before accepting any job, permanent, temporary or otherwise, one needs to understand the payment schedule and if and how one is paid with regards to working overtime. In doing so, one knows from the beginning what to expect in the way of overtime pay.
While there are both large corporations and small corporations, many attempt to hid behind corporate greed. One such incident is with regards to an employee of a corporation who died, after which the family discovered a health insurance policy had been purchased on the life of their loved one without the knowledge of the employee of anyone in the family. Of course, the corporation is listed as sole beneficiary and therefore, the family received none of the over one million dollars the corporation received in death benefits, on one employee alone, think how much that would be if all employees are covered under such life insurance plans.
As the driving force behind many corporations world wide, corporate greed is a world wide problem, not just in the United States. Also, while there are a large number of corporations existing solely on corporate greed; there are also businesses and corporations who are honest and whom do care for their employees and investors. In addition, with the current growth in learning about green engineering, there are also opportunities for both employment and investment in many of these areas today.
Last but not least, this excessive issue with corporate greed runs across many corporate platforms which is awakening many an entrepreneur to start their own home-based business, or at the very least work from home where possible. However, working at home is only good if one is working for someone other than one of the many greedy corporations which exist today. For, many of these corporations are so greedy not only do they hire direct employees at rates much lower than others doing the same work, there are also those that have moved offshore to avoid paying taxes to federal governments. An issue that has also become prevalent over the last several years in the United States as well as a few other countries. Therefore, such corporations, especially those based out of the U. S. Which only exist to gain as much as possible through the work of others working at wages, often equating to less than minimum wage, are no doubt the greediest of all.
While the United States has seen this problem grow in leaps and bounds, with the recent decision of the U. S. Supreme Court, the issues are only going to get more pronounced in the coming years. Not only with regards to employment and investments but also with regards to campaign contributions for a variety of elections. As now that the ruling states that corporations have the same inherit rights as individuals, corporations can now basically decide the outcome of elections based on which one can contribute the most to which campaign. Which is not exactly the way most citizens really want to see their governmental officials put into office, in the United States or elsewhere where individual votes generally decide the outcome of such a process.
One may ask how to overcome such corporate greed. While this is highly unlikely, it is not impossible. As one can overcome some aspects of greed through creating an agenda in which the corporation can understand how such business practices are poor and why. In addition, one can also definitely bring the situation to the attention of community business leaders, the community and local businesses. Last but not least, it will send an even louder message if one eats and shops at locally owned businesses where possible. Therefore, leaving the greedy corporation to fend for itself in the ocean of greed which it created.
Although, while one definitely need be cautious with corporations, not all corporations are bad, there are many good businesses and corporations with which one can also do business. To this end, the best way to protect oneself is to check with the local better business bureau, labor bureau or other similar organizations in the area to see if there have been any complaints filed. If so, one may want to avoid doing business, otherwise one can feel more secure in moving forward with whatever business transactions are ongoing at the time.
Corporate greed will continue to be an ongoing situation. One way we as citizens can improve our lives is by taking control of our own destiny. Learn how to work with multi-millionaire entrepreneurs by visiting The Social Rec Room and clicking on “Work With Dale” to schedule a free 20 minute meeting.
