ArmedGeek's Journal: American Corporations

I'd like to take a moment to say a few things about a recent thread (here).

Some folks tend to not understand the fundamental difference between 'Business' and 'Individuals'. A business has no conscience, no morals, no beliefs. It's sole purpose in existance is to generate profit. This is what makes capitalism work.

Individuals, on the other hand, do have a sense of right and wrong (most of them, at any rate) and it is up to them, NOT government intervention, to control a business's behaviour. In some instances, when a business's drive for profit endangers the welfare of the individual, they (the individuals) may deem it necessary for government to set limits. Examples of this 'proper' intervention would include; child labor laws, environmental regulations, and minimum wages.

As Americans we tend to project our laws and rights onto the citizens of other countries. Not all nation's citizens are as free as ours. Our government's responsibility to protect the welfare of individuals is and should be limited to it's own citizenry. Therefore our government's intervention is not justified in protecting another nation's citizens.

That is not to say that if individuals (citizens of our country) believe that a business should act a certain way, they don't have any recourse. The solution is simple: Don't give that business your money. Remember that profit is the sole motivation for business. If a business loses money because of it's actions, IT WILL CEASE THOSE ACTIONS.

Unfortunately, these days people don't wish to bother themselves with action, they just want to bitch and call for another law to be passed.