Given ubiquitous & inevitable greed and deception, would you prefer big governme

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  1. liftandsoar profile image60
    liftandsoarposted 10 years ago

    Given ubiquitous & inevitable greed and deception, would you prefer big government or big business?

    What do you find most threatening?  Big corporations operating on greed and deception?  Or big government doing the same?

  2. Bronterae profile image61
    Bronteraeposted 10 years ago

    Big Business, no question.
    Government deception is a far worse crime.  Business is ultimately controlled buy buyers and they can freely say no.  They also don't make the laws (usually).  One is a rather large group which checks on each other (in the US).  The other can be run by any crazy person.

  3. Mitch Alan profile image80
    Mitch Alanposted 10 years ago

    The federal government should be constrained by the enumerated powers in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This would, by default, keep it from becoming a big government. That being said, we have not had that for decades, from either Party.
    Big business run by capitalism is the best course of action. But, should not be confused with corporatism.

  4. RealityTalk profile image61
    RealityTalkposted 10 years ago

    That is a tough decision to make.  If forced to decide, I would prefer big government for this reason.  I believe big government and corruption therein is a result of big business.  If the bribes and the incentives to cheat, lie and steal - as well as the temptation for insider trader - were removed via the shrinkage of big business and the return of small business, maybe government would have less incentive - or opportunity - to grow as big and as corrupt as it does and as it has.

    1. liftandsoar profile image60
      liftandsoarposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good point.  Hadn't thought of your perspective. But it would be a weak government indeed that succumbed to the seductions of big business.  What we need are statesmen, not politicians.

    2. RealityTalk profile image61
      RealityTalkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed.

  5. taburkett profile image59
    taburkettposted 10 years ago

    big business - because this would never deny me life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness.
    government on the other hand would be exactly what we have today - too expensive, too corrupt, too intrusive, and too socialist.

    1. RealityTalk profile image61
      RealityTalkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree with today's government being "too expensive, too corrupt, too intrusive and too socialist."  Our forefathers believed in a smaller government less involved in the details of our lives.

    2. MPChris profile image63
      MPChrisposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      There is evidence to the contrary. Look up the city-state of Amalfi (pre 1000 AD), the Hanseatic League (1200 AD), the East India Trading Company (both the English and the Dutch), Royal Shell's control of Nigeria, and last, but not least, Monsanto.

    3. Mitch Alan profile image80
      Mitch Alanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      This is where we need to differentiate between Capitalism & Corporatism. There's a difference & it's important.  Corporatism, which Monsato is 1 of 1000s under this label, is not good,  but Capitalism is. Corporatism is a govt/business blend.

    4. profile image0
      CalebSparksposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good point, Mitch. Most anything good can be used in a wrong way---including capitalism.

  6. MPChris profile image63
    MPChrisposted 10 years ago

    Government. As Thomas Jefferson wrote, "There is nothing wrong with a little Revolution."

    While, I believe that this would apply to 'big business', I do believe that the nature of it being a 'business', would lead some to believe that it still operated as a private entity, even when it had total unchecked power in their lives. Thus weakening the resolve to resist, and eroding means of resistance.

    Simply put, if the Government is Tyrannical, we might be inclined to realize this, change it, or overthrow it. If a business is Tyrannical, we might say, "That is there right, and we can have no say."

    Read about the Hanseatic League in the 14th Century AD. They operating in much the way as a state entity for multitudes of North Germanic city-states. Those city-states had 'government', but the true vestment of power was in the Guild, which was so powerful that it was literally above the law in many of the cities it operated in. (Imagine diplomatic immunity for CEOs)

  7. ChristinS profile image40
    ChristinSposted 10 years ago

    Seeing as how they are both one in the same in our current situation this is an impossible question to answer. Corporations have been given the same rights as people by the court.  Lobbyists have bought and paid for the entire government as it stands. Those who believe big businesses don't harm your freedoms haven't experienced being a small business owner in the current environment or haven't been paying attention to what is going on.  Medicines that don't cure and keep people chronically ill for profit, Monsanto's "Frankenfood" that is in nearly 90% of our food products, the evils of WalMart who won't pay their staff enough so those workers end up on public assistance on the taxpayers dime.  That's just a drop in the bucket.  I'd could go on and on about the corporations that dodge taxes while making record profits.  I'd prefer a govt that is truly "of, by and for the people", but that has been done away with and is now run by corporate interests.

    1. Mitch Alan profile image80
      Mitch Alanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The difference between capitalism (good) and corporatism (bad) is misunderstood by most. The lack of knowledge concerning the Constitution, the enumerated powers and the 10th Amendment are a huge problem. Well said.

    2. taburkett profile image59
      taburkettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      big business has never hurt me.  I am much smarter than that.  I don't shop at WalMart.  I don't eat food that has additives.  The best tax plan is 1% on every commercial transaction.  WHEN all pay - all support - all are equal.

    3. ChristinS profile image40
      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      well as long as it doesn't affect you personally that's all that matters right? What about the people who can't afford to shop other places after Walmart kills the competition? If you eat grain you eat GMO's in this country give me a break.

    4. MPChris profile image63
      MPChrisposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Primarily, Big Business has never had a chance to hurt you because of various civil groups, probably including your government. Amalfi, the Hanse, East India Trade Co, Dutch Royal Shell, Monsanto. The list goes on.

    5. Abby Campbell profile image73
      Abby Campbellposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Great point, Christin. They are both in cohoots with each other, and people don't even realize this. Pharmaceuticals, Monsanto, etc. (big businesses) are killing us, and big government is killing our pocketbooks. They do it together to have gains.

    6. liftandsoar profile image60
      liftandsoarposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I understand that big business is often in cahoots with the gov.  However business still compete against each other (Home Depot vs.Lowes).  Would tht not provide some check on the greed and deceptiveness?  Who is there to compete with big government?

  8. Caleb DRC profile image74
    Caleb DRCposted 10 years ago

    There is greed and deception at all levels, from the poorest to the richest. Business is the conduit---not the source, God is the source---with which we have the standard of living that we have. Business has contributed greatly to this country; the computer I'm using now is an example. No country in history has accomplished as much as the United States of America, and the conduit used was free enterprise.

    Having said that, it is big government I find more threatening. Here is an analogy: If greed and deception is a ferocious lion. Would you rather be in a cage with him, or free to run. Government has the power to cage us and do as it pleases, but we can run from a corrupt business.

    As you know, Liftandsoar, it is not big government or business that is the problem. Any nation that becomes lukewarm to God's commandments through Jesus Christ, and sins as naturally as breathing will go into tyranny and poverty. It is poverty and tyranny for which we willing vote.  God blessed this once magnificent nation with free enterprise, but He will curse it because it is no longer "One Nation under God."  Thomas Jefferson said, "Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the boisterous sea of liberty," and it is timid men who demand largess that is coerced from those who earn it and given to those who did not earn it.

 
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