I have the power......Corporate greed be damned!

It just takes one idea, one simple idea.

Pick a large company, any company.  Apple, Verizon, Comcast, Exempla, Chevrolet, any one will work.  Now, stop doing business with them.

Let's pretend that we choose Chevrolet.  Chevrolet because it's probably the company that will have the most impact due to its longevity and brand recognition.  Chevrolet because it's mismanagement triggered a government bailout and Chevrolet because it is the parent company and not a subsidiary.

The idea is simple, companies do not run this country, the people do.  What this says is that the people will not sit idly by while companies funnel money, lobbies, and agendas to the lawmakers that are not in the peoples best interest.  Some might say that voting is the best way to make changes for the country but it has to be clear to more people then me that the money coming from companies is what drives elections in this country.  It's not about what is best for the people, it's about what is best for the companies and their profits and next quarter results.

Here's how it plays out as an example.  I buy a car, Chevy uses a percentage of that money for lobbying and contributions.  Let's say that they hire a lobbyist in Michigan to create legislation that will effectively cap employer contributions to employer provided health care plans regardless of premium increases thus placing the burden of increases solely on the employees.  Chevy then donates an incredible amount of money to a Super PAC that then contributes it all to a single congressman.  It's through a Super PAC so you'd never even know it came from Chevy.  Now, as a stipulation for receiving that money, the congressman must submit the legislation created by the lobbyist that benefits Chevy.  The bill is sponsored and put up for a vote where it passes because the other representatives have also received money from Super PACs specifically to pass this legislation.

What are the ramifications of this and where is the accountability?  Employees wages are effectively decreased, lowering labor costs and increasing profit.  Because it is NEVER about helping the greater good with companies.  NEVER.  The representative has nothing to fear.  They haven't had to be accountable for legislation and votes cast.  When was the last time you were asked whether your representative should vote for something?  We live in a country where they screw us now and ask forgiveness later.....and only if they don't have enough money to out advertise their competition.

This is a pretty simplified example, in real life companies are much more creative and underhanded when it comes to increasing profits.  Again, companies are not in it for the greater good.  They are in it to make money.

Of course there will be repercussions with this course.  It will mean that markets may temporarily destabilize as the realization dawns that management of old will not work in the peoples country.  It will mean that some people will lose their jobs.  Chevy employs roughly 209K people and ancillary companies amount to approximately 100K.  It will mean that government will expand temporarily to help those in need.  But, it will mean that other companies will hire more people to account for the increased business (I'm not saying don't buy a car, just not a Chevy).  Those other companies revenues and subsequently their profits will increase.  The end result is a company dies but another will take its place.  There is only the temporary timeframe to ride out as everything stabilizes again.  The message will be received, and it will be noticed.

The people can send that message.  It's a message that tells the story of us as a country.  It states that companies can not control the people and that it is the people who have the power.  It states that elected officials exist within our bounds and not payrolls of inanimate entities.  Pick a company, any company and tell them to die, then tell your friends to let the company die, then we all can ride the wave to a new era of accountability.  Accountability to those in power......the People.