Holding Shares

A lot is made of large conglomerates and their impact on humanity. Whether its a multinational banking and investment firm, a big box retailer, pharmaceutical manufacturer, or a firm like Monsanto that has made it big in the genetic engineering of agricultural products, there's just something about businesses so big that we cannot grasp their enormity, nor can we find it in ourselves to accept them.

I think we have a basic class envy when it comes to successful companies. Like the proletariate of ancient Rome, we lack the where-with -all to be as prosperous and we see them as the enemy.

I'm not saying these companies are lily white in their dealings. The truth is any company that is beholden to its shareholders will behave in a dispassionate manner when dealing with the public and the planet. The bottom line takes precedent.

But why? Because unless they have no competition they must guard tooth and nail against falling behind and that means making decisions that do not benefit anyone but those stockholders.

Is Monsanto creating a cabal bent on controlling the world? Is Walmart bent on eliminating all mom and pop shops? I doubt either of these is true, but their business practices make such ends inevitable.

Ultimately, its stockholders that are letting this happen. And will until the money stops.