This afternoon, MSNBC contributor Jonathan Capehart, in an interview with Dylan Ratigan, called on "patriotic corporations" to step up.
It's great that those patriotic millionaires are out there asking congress to tax them more, but there's going to have to be more of those millionaires from across he country, but also, patriotic corporations that come forward and say okay, look, "we want to come forward and help the country", and so far that's not happening.
Will the so-called "job creators" in this country ever come to grips with the fact that America is in a state of crisis due to high unemployment and a weak economy? Will any of them ever put the maximize profits directive aside for just a minute and do something good for the country as a whole? Will any corporation decide to keep their manufacturing plant operating rather than relocating to Mexico or China just because the country needs that from them, and because they can?
Whirlpool made more than $1 billion last year. Recently, they announced they would fire 5000 U.S. workers. They don't have to do that! If the average worker costs them $50,000, which I'm sure it doesn't, then firing 5000 workers would save them $250 million dollars per year. Whirlpool should keep those workers on their payroll not just because they can, but because the country, and our economy, needs them too. It would be the patriotic thing to do.
The NBA is a multi-billion dollar industry. Local economies depend on NBA games for billions in revenue. Oklahoma City's economy alone will lose more than $100 million this season because of the NBA impass. Vendors, subcontractors, stadium employees, restaurant workers, hotel staff, cab drivers, public transportation workers, private transportation workers, police officers, call girls, strippers...the list of impacted workers goes on and on.
NBA owners and players are fighting over a multi-billion dollar pie. Every single one of the players and owners are in the 1%. Every single one of them could afford to give just a little bit up and still wallow in an ostentatious, lavish, pampered lifestyle. Every single one. Their inability to set aside greed durning these very bad times, knowing full well the impact on those that depend on their sport for income, most of which are low wage earners and in no position to do without those paychecks, is reprehensible.
Gas prices are killing average Americans. Five oil companies will rake in about $150 billion dollars this year as they use their oligopoly power to squeeze us for nearly $4 per gallon. While they are using their market power to hurt our economy by raping us at the pump, they are making record profits. Meanwhile they benefit from billions in taxpayer subsidies.
Given the precarious nature of our economy, I don't think it goes too far to call the actions of Whirlpool, the NBA, and the oil cartel, to name just a few, unpatriotic. We need to come together and make sacrifices in order to get through this economic crisis. The 99% can't do it alone. The richest individuals and corporations need to do their part. I agree with Jonathan. I don't see that happening.