What is YOUR one only suggestion to change society for the better in 2011..

reply to post by JonInMichigan


JonInMichigan

NOT with an Avatar like yours !!

PDUK

reply to post by Cocasinpry


Cocasinpry

Thankyou for your post, there is alot to think about in there....

Having worked with several Large American Global Companies, I am in agreement about the power Corporations have and continue to wield over the world. Their pursuit of better, leaner, double digit growth, outsourcing, 'kill the competition' mentality does make me wretch.

I believe that the greed in those organisations which they, through their PR depts, try to dispel is actually one of the major issues of our modern society......

I see that an income cap is also a viable proposition..... Granted those at the top will complain that the 'best talent' deserves HUGE rewards but again I think that when the CEO of a Corporation (probably not created or started by him / her) EXPECTS to earn 100 x the lowest salary of that company, then there is something wrong with the mentaility of that individual - they, IMO have lost touch with reality........!

Still digesting everyone's info...thanks

PDUK

Laugh and Love....be as a child, get a sense of humor and quit being offended by everything.

I remember people used to laugh, even when it came to sexuality...race...religion....

Could we make a movie like Blazing Saddles now? How about Archie Bunker? Or even MASH? Anybody here remember Laugh-In or the Smother Brothers...

Ever listen to oldies from the 60s and 70s....? The lyrics were about loving you fellow man, loving your brothers and sisters, it was full of hope and joy of living....

Remember the Coke commercial...I'd like to teach the world to sing, and live in harmony....

Man, everything and everyone is so uptight, wound up, and touchy... Live and let live...

And learn to laugh again, people... you've lost that loving feeling, now it's gone..gone...gone....

A one world government in which corporations or other controllers of wealth have absolutely no say or influence whatsoever. Decisions at this world body would be made by ordinary people - like small farmers, mom and pop business people, and you and me -- either directly, as in doing a stint of duty, or through computerized voting.

reply to post by wayno


That wouldn't be very fair to the corporations and I'm not implying that they're being fair with us but our subjective perspective would allow for favouritism. Also, that takes away from an individual's liberties, free market is an awesome concept but it's flawed, the flaw isn't at the bottom, it's at the top where those in power seek to monopolize.

Where the public should intervene, and even has the right today, is to prevent monopolization. These mega-conglomerates are crushing the foundation on which capitalism stands. These big businesses are allowed favouritism which reduces costs of their parent companies which benefits every corporation in the conglomerate and leaves everyone else stranded outside unable to gain from the benefits of buying in bulk, having sweatshops overseas, having reduced fees by media outlets, and the list goes on and on. As you can see, playing favourites isn't really a good idea.

So although it might sound good, the application thereof doesn't really work. I can only imaging the collective groups that would sprout out trying to buy public sympathy, then more laws, and so forth... in short, it would end in a disaster.

reply to post by Cocasinpry


There used to be laws on the books to prevent monopolies but I understand that they were changed at the request of big business; again, due to the fact that big business has such influence on lawmakers -- Republican and conservative ones in particular.

Right now it seems that in the power hierarchy, multi-national companies are above the governments of individual countries. That is good for them but bad for "the people". I don't see any other way to keep corporations in their place than to have a global body that answers to the people only. That wouldn't mean that free enterprise would be squashed, just that it would be kept in check and prevented from doing things that harm "the people" such as poluting the environment, or bringing wages down to the l o w e s t common denominator; i.e. poverty/slave wages world wide.

reply to post by PurpleDog UK

What one suggestion do you have which would change our society for the better ??

Stop globalism.

(This seond sentence is produced solely for the purpose of ATS rules regarding content volume.)

reply to post by redoubt


Why would you stop globalism?? We aren't isolated tribes anymore, we are a world-wide network of cultures and economies that are constantly in communication and in partnership. You can't stop people from working together on things.

Our community is no longer limited by the horse and buggy to our immediate neighbourhood. Modern travel and communications means that not just the space within our political borders is where we work and play, but the whole world is where it takes place.

Corporations know this and are exploiting the possibilities. Why should we the people not do the same? I say we have to start thinking globally or be subject to the multi-nationals whose objectives are definitely not the same as ours.

This is our current reality. We can't pretend otherwise. We have to learn to deal with it in a way that we have some say in what happens. Hiding from this won't do.

import tariff of 50% on all chinese goods

Good thread, starred and flagged.

My suggestions would start off with the people around you.

Keep an eye out for people, by that i mean think about others before you do or say something. A few words can either make or crush a person in seconds. Especially on the internet. It's so easy to throw a few words at the screen at a stranger you will never know, but that stranger could be a kid or an adult with a whole world of probelms going on.

It's hard to do, but when someone is being abusive or grouchy, think to yourself, "What else could it mean?" Nine times out of ten, someone who slags you off on the net will apologise and be polite back if you simply ask them if they are ok.

Do someone a favour, without expecting anything back.

Be polite to people, whether it is deserved or not. Even it's towards the foul mouthed chav on the bus...sometimes you'll be surprised when they return the act. Ok there is a time and a place for that, but it can work.

If everyone watched out for others everyday, the same way as when there is a crisis on like a blackout or extreme snow and ice, we'd be making a start towards a better life around us. Would teach the upcoming generation a thing or two also. Thats not to say the youngsters these days are not polite, same as my generation and older.....some are, some aren't.

We can all learn from each other if we swallow enough pride to admit it.

There are some excellent suggestions here, some of which i'll incorporate into my New Years resolutions.

Thanks.

Regarding what i'd like to see at governmental level, i feel i'd be wasting vauable finger energy typing it as we won't ever change the greedy and power hungry lot at the top.

CX.

reply to post by PurpleDog UK


There was no real formula in calculating 10 million dollars a year, we just wanted to come up with a really big number (if anyone gets that joke you can be my friend - hint, bailout)


Anyway, I didnt really put much thought into the number, I just picked a number that would satisfy skeptics. No one can argue that 10 million is not enough to live very, VERY comfortably. And seeing as the US debt alone is 14 trillion, there seems to be a lot of 10 millions available. You have a better thought process tho, I see where you are coming from, it makes more logical sense. Mine was just a "tip of the iceberg" type comment. I mean because at the end of the day it makes a lot of sense.

reply to post by Ghandi


Cheers Ghandi

I heard another example on the radio today. Someone was saying Private sector salary increases will be behind the inflation rate for 2011 BUT data from 2010 and 2011 estimates REVEAL that the CEO's and top dogs have / and will be recieving larger increases proportionally compared to the 'workers'..

In many ways I don't have an issue with this IF someone has setup and built a company from scrath BUT i am getting very dis-illusioned with the 'managers' and cliche of people who move within Corporations and Big companies and expect to be paid BIG money... They are out of touch and my suggestion of 20 x Max salary is aimed squarely at this lot and footballers and some bankers and anothers..

Regards

PDUK

First, everyone should ride their bicycle every day.
It would decrease the price of gas and help reduce the flab factor.

Second, when you make money, save 10% for a rainy day.

Third, plant a garden this year. It's fun to grow your own veggies and they taste so good.

Free beer for me and a suitable forum to voice my opinions to a wider audience after having imbibed copious amounts of said free beer!