I was recently paying my Geico Auto Insurance Bill. I thought how wonderful this company is to offer great service and have just about the lowest premiums in the business. Of course, their commercials are among the best in the world too.
One day, out of curiosity, I was wondering how they make money. I soon realized that they are a subsidiary of Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Then out of more curiosity, I wanted to see how this parent was doing. Gee, they had net earnings last year of only...$9 BILLION!!!
Suddenly, saddened by the intense greed of our beloved oil companies and their record profits, I started wondering how much is enough. We all love the notion of unlimited earning potential, even though that in reality is only reserved for a very few selected individuals. But when is it enough?
When I grew up, it was unheard these kinds of profits. And all I could think of was, I have to work more hours just to pay for their greed. It now costs me about $50 to fill up my small car that gets almost 30 mpg on the highway. And I rarely pleasure drive anymore..just to work!
The point I am making is that in this world, even money is finite. There is just so much money in the world. So this idea of unlimited earning means that it is potentially possible, for a very small number of people, to hoard all the wealth...oh, sorry, that is already happening.
So if we agree that its okay for 1% of the population to have the majority of the wealth, that really says, the other 99% have less and less for themselves. Now does that make sense?
So when do we say enough? Should our government restrict excessive profit taking, not just on paper, but in reality? To me the answer is simple, if the kind of profits generated in today's market is hurting the rest of us (which it is) then we need the government to step in to protect the interests of the majority. Hey, forget about our "interests", how about protect our survival!!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
um... Finite means there is a limit and there is a cap. Infinite means there isn't a limit, I think you mixed up these words, perhaps? Also, I never thought of that idea of capping the gross earnings of large companies, but what I did think of was, not giving them tax breaks. Rich people get too much tax breaks forcing the middle class to pay it all for the rich and the poor and all between.
Oh, now I get it your saying there is a cap on money... I can't agree with you there. The riches of the earth can expand more and more the more we come across greater technologies. I mean we went from stone ovens and stick dolls to energy saving dishwashers, energy saving electric self cleaning ovens, 42-inch+ theatre wide LCD flat-panel televisions, computers almost in every home, and a way to communicate with people across the world no matter where you are. My family is average and we have all the above mentioned.
Mr. Daniel, you have missed the point, The rich are getting richer and the middle class and poor are getting poorer...These are facts not opinions, that means the rich is hoarding more of the money and wealth, and we have less of it.
Mr. Daniel, you have missed the point, The rich are getting richer and the middle class and poor are getting poorer...These are facts not opinions, that means the rich is hoarding more of the money and wealth, and we have less of it.
Post a Comment