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  1. #441
    Banned JohnBrown1917's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Elegiac View Post
    Lemme know when corporations are accountable to the general public in the same way as a democratically elected government, sweaty.

    Rofl.
    yeah, but you see, you vote with your wallet!!
    Just ignore the little bit about that pretty much means all the voting power is with the wealthy.


    I for one can't to be ruled by our dear overlords/god emperors Bezos and Musk, and it won't be authoritarian at all because they control it all with money! Money is like magic, bro.

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    Quote Originally Posted by PC2 View Post
    Nonsense. Even if a libertarian experienced hardship that still doesn't mean they would become envious and blame rich people for their failures and use that as a justification for using state force to redistribute wealth.
    Ye, like how getting cancer is your own fault. Something like that you mean?

  2. #442
    Quote Originally Posted by Elegiac View Post
    Lemme know when corporations are accountable to the general public in the same way as a democratically elected government, sweaty.

    Rofl.
    Why do you call people "sweaty?"

    Are you picturing them drenched in perspiration, or do you simply insist on misspelling the same word, no matter how many times you are corrected?

    Corporations are accountable to their shareholders, consumers, investors, and even their employees.

  3. #443
    Void Lord Elegiac's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    Corporations are accountable to their shareholders, consumers, investors, and even their employees.
    So, not the general public?

    Because it sure sounds to me like you think accountability should be a function of how much money you have to throw at the problem rather than input being guaranteed as a matter of right, if you're equating government and business.
    Quote Originally Posted by Marjane Satrapi
    The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don't know each other, but we talk and understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same.

  4. #444
    Quote Originally Posted by Elegiac View Post
    So, not the general public?

    Because it sure sounds to me like you think accountability should be a function of how much money you have to throw at the problem rather than input being guaranteed as a matter of right, if you're equating government and business.
    I don't care how it sounds to you. You are free to be as wrong as you like.

    Is government actually accountable to the general public, or only some voters? Think of those voters as employees, investors, shareholders, and consumers.

  5. #445
    Void Lord Elegiac's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    I don't care how it sounds to you. You are free to be as wrong as you like.
    I'll indulge that luxury when I am wrong. In this case, I'm not: corporations are not accountable to the general public in the same way a democratic government is, making the comparison specious at best. QED.
    Quote Originally Posted by Marjane Satrapi
    The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don't know each other, but we talk and understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same.

  6. #446
    Quote Originally Posted by Elegiac View Post
    I'll indulge that luxury when I am wrong. In this case, I'm not: corporations are not accountable to the general public in the same way a democratic government is, making the comparison specious at best. QED.
    Is government truly accountable to the general public?

    Not really.

    Oddly enough, I don't think I made that comparison... so this is your straw man.

  7. #447
    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    Is government truly accountable to the general public?

    Not really.

    Oddly enough, I don't think I made that comparison... so this is your straw man.
    If the public wants it to be...yeah? That's not to say it's easy, but in a Democracy it's easier to alter the way government is functioning via electing new representatives than it is for minority shareholders in a company to force a company to change when the CEO likely owns a controlling stake, or maintains a minority state but has all the actual voting shares because public shares have no voting power.

  8. #448
    The Unstoppable Force Mayhem's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    You sound d just like the GOP members who want to push voting restrictions. They claim to want to do itntomprevent fraud, when its really just to tip things in their favor. I pointed to a great analogy, and you chose to support what they are doing.

    The irony is real.

    I can only say I'm not ananarchist so many times. I can't comprehend that for you... that's on you.

    https://www.gq.com/story/jack-daniels-state-law-whiskey
    I see you have not argued against even one single point but just compared me to GOP members. You were also unable to answer even one question but told me again that you're not an anarchist (as if I ever claimed you were one).

    So you got absolutely nothing except a smug face, based on I don't know what, it's neither reason nor logic.

    Thanks for the link, what's the issue here?

    Are these really your best examples? More information for consumers on what they buy and what can be labeled as "Tennessee Whiskey"? That's what you came up with when talking about corporations using the Government to curb regulations in their favor?

    So you want less information for consumers and every whiskey can have the label "Tennessee Whiskey"?

    Also, what great analogy are you talking about? I am really confused about that GOP stuff, I have no idea where that comes from.
    Quote Originally Posted by ash
    So, look um, I'm not a grief counselor, but if it's any consolation, I have had to kill and bury loved ones before. A bunch of times actually.
    Quote Originally Posted by PC2 View Post
    I never said I was knowledge-able and I wouldn't even care if I was the least knowledge-able person and the biggest dumb-ass out of all 7.8 billion people on the planet.

  9. #449
    Quote Originally Posted by Edge- View Post
    If the public wants it to be...yeah? That's not to say it's easy, but in a Democracy it's easier to alter the way government is functioning via electing new representatives than it is for minority shareholders in a company to force a company to change when the CEO likely owns a controlling stake, or maintains a minority state but has all the actual voting shares because public shares have no voting power.
    The same can be said for corporations being accountable to shareholders, investors, consumers, and even employees.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mayhem View Post
    I see you have not argued against even one single point but just compared me to GOP members. You were also unable to answer even one question but told me again that you're not an anarchist (as if I ever claimed you were one).

    So you got absolutely nothing except a smug face, based on I don't know what, it's neither reason nor logic.

    Thanks for the link, what's the issue here?

    Are these really your best examples? More information for consumers on what they buy and what can be labeled as "Tennessee Whiskey"? That's what you came up with when talking about corporations using the Government to curb regulations in their favor?

    So you want less information for consumers and every whiskey can have the label "Tennessee Whiskey"?

    Also, what great analogy are you talking about? I am really confused about that GOP stuff, I have no idea where that comes from.
    My argument is that it's unnecessary, and doesn't restrict an action that causes harm.

    There... done.

    As for the examples, I provided two of many. Those are both prime examples of corporations s pushing legislation in order to tip the competitive marketplace... which was my argument.

    Just like the GOP and their voting restrictions.

  10. #450
    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    The same can be said for corporations being accountable to shareholders, investors, consumers, and even employees.
    Shareholders: Again, no. Many companies are majority owned by executives, or have executives holding voting shares while investors hold non-voting shares. There are few companies where shareholders have anywhere near the kind of power or influence needed to alter a companies course.

    Investors: See above, and investors are a hyper-minority in companies pre-IPO. This reflects the views of only wealthy investors, nobody else.

    Consumers: They can engage in boycotts to attempt to alter a companies behavior, but that's not remotely the same as having control over who your elected officials are.

    Employees: Again, see above. The only time this would actually be the case would be for businesses operated as co-ops where employees collectively own the business. And even then, it's only employees and nobody else.

    Compared to: Every citizen of legal age to vote.

  11. #451
    Quote Originally Posted by Edge- View Post
    Shareholders: Again, no. Many companies are majority owned by executives, or have executives holding voting shares while investors hold non-voting shares. There are few companies where shareholders have anywhere near the kind of power or influence needed to alter a companies course.

    Investors: See above, and investors are a hyper-minority in companies pre-IPO. This reflects the views of only wealthy investors, nobody else.

    Consumers: They can engage in boycotts to attempt to alter a companies behavior, but that's not remotely the same as having control over who your elected officials are.

    Employees: Again, see above. The only time this would actually be the case would be for businesses operated as co-ops where employees collectively own the business. And even then, it's only employees and nobody else.

    Compared to: Every citizen of legal age to vote.
    Of course it's similar... it's just a matter of the will to do it. Without customers and employees, you don't have much of a corporation.

    Without investors or shareholders, you are on your own.

    I should add, this isn't even some claim I started... this is someone else's straw man.

  12. #452
    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    Of course it's similar... it's just a matter of the will to do it. Without customers and employees, you don't have much of a corporation.
    In a vacuum, sure.

    But employees aren't going to quit writ-large, there aren't endless employment opportunities and many will need the job to stay afloat financially. Same goes for boycotts and things people actually need.

    Investors and shareholders are, again, a minority and often times shareholders will have no actual voting power with their shares so are just along for the ride in the hopes value increases and they can sell off to make a profit. It's not that they have an ownership stake, they don't, they have a profitability stake and that's it.

    Investors proper have more say usually, but again, we're talking about a hyperminority of ultra-wealthy folks so hardly representative of the whole of a nation and its people.

    Without investors or shareholders, you are on your own.[/QUOTE]

  13. #453
    Banned Glorious Leader's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    Is government truly accountable to the general public?

    Not really.

    Oddly enough, I don't think I made that comparison... so this is your straw man.
    Formally in a democracy the government would be accountable yes. The corporate structure is totalitarian by design.

  14. #454
    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    So, why make the boot as big and dangerous as possible?
    The boot isn't dangerous. The foot is. A boot without a foot just sits there.

    All controls meant to stop the foot, are generally derided by you and other conservatives. Boots are actually there for protection. The problem is, your side of the political ideology wants the corporate foot in the boot and not the people's and wants that foot to do anything it wants to.
    "When Facism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." - Unknown

  15. #455
    The Unstoppable Force Mayhem's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    My argument is that it's unnecessary, and doesn't restrict an action that causes harm.

    There... done.
    What the flying fuck is IT?!

    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    As for the examples, I provided two of many. Those are both prime examples of corporations s pushing legislation in order to tip the competitive marketplace... which was my argument.
    How is information for consumers tipping the marketplace? How is a label that probably no one really gives a fuck about tipping the marketplace? Shouldn't you be in favor of letting consumers decide? You know with all the talk about liberty and shit. So how is a label changing what consumers can or can't buy?

    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    Just like the GOP and their voting restrictions.
    Of all the "arguments" you came up with, that comparison is without a doubt the most stupid one. You really have to quote me on where I am in favor of corporations creating their own rules. You, on the other hand, want to make away with voting altogether and let the GOP just do their thing.
    Quote Originally Posted by ash
    So, look um, I'm not a grief counselor, but if it's any consolation, I have had to kill and bury loved ones before. A bunch of times actually.
    Quote Originally Posted by PC2 View Post
    I never said I was knowledge-able and I wouldn't even care if I was the least knowledge-able person and the biggest dumb-ass out of all 7.8 billion people on the planet.

  16. #456
    Quote Originally Posted by Glorious Leader View Post
    Formally in a democracy the government would be accountable yes. The corporate structure is totalitarian by design.
    Accountable to those who actually seek to make them accountable, which was the point I was making.

    Corporations are also accountable, to shareholders, investors, consumers, and even employees.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bodakane View Post
    The boot isn't dangerous. The foot is. A boot without a foot just sits there.

    All controls meant to stop the foot, are generally derided by you and other conservatives. Boots are actually there for protection. The problem is, your side of the political ideology wants the corporate foot in the boot and not the people's and wants that foot to do anything it wants to.
    So, you want to protect the corporations?

    Are you sure people want to go with that analogy?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Edge- View Post
    In a vacuum, sure.

    But employees aren't going to quit writ-large, there aren't endless employment opportunities and many will need the job to stay afloat financially. Same goes for boycotts and things people actually need.

    Investors and shareholders are, again, a minority and often times shareholders will have no actual voting power with their shares so are just along for the ride in the hopes value increases and they can sell off to make a profit. It's not that they have an ownership stake, they don't, they have a profitability stake and that's it.

    Investors proper have more say usually, but again, we're talking about a hyperminority of ultra-wealthy folks so hardly representative of the whole of a nation and its people.

    Without investors or shareholders, you are on your own.
    [/QUOTE]

    They can. They can also collectively bargain.

    Consumers can also stop buying the product/service.

    Meanwhile, this isn't even my analogy, nor my claim, so take it up with the guy who is pushing it.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mayhem View Post
    What the flying fuck is IT?!



    How is information for consumers tipping the marketplace? How is a label that probably no one really gives a fuck about tipping the marketplace? Shouldn't you be in favor of letting consumers decide? You know with all the talk about liberty and shit. So how is a label changing what consumers can or can't buy?



    Of all the "arguments" you came up with, that comparison is without a doubt the most stupid one. You really have to quote me on where I am in favor of corporations creating their own rules. You, on the other hand, want to make away with voting altogether and let the GOP just do their thing.
    Are you serious, I literally just told you.

    The entire design is to tip the competitive playing field. GMO foods are not dangerous, so this is about playing on fear and ignorance in order to push an agenda... just like the GOP and their voter restrictions

    They claim it's just so we can be sure that everything is on the up and up... when it's really just to make things more difficult for their opponents.

  17. #457
    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    They can. They can also collectively bargain.
    Again, in a vacuum. If we're to ignore, say, the history of unchecked corporate power when it comes to union busting. This is an a-historical take that ignores the power of corporations in whittling away union power through governmental means.

    This arguments all fall apart when you place them in real world contexts and outside of the isolated and individual bubbles the arguments can only survive in.

    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    Consumers can also stop buying the product/service.
    Again, not always an option. Hate you electric company? Tough shit, that's likely the only game in town and self-generated power likely ain't in the cards for the overwhelming majority of folks.

    Works for some things like luxury goods maybe, not for a lot of actual necessities.

  18. #458
    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    So, you want to protect the corporations?

    Are you sure people want to go with that analogy?.
    I have to stop making analogies when talking to you, because you ALWAYS misunderstand them.

    I want the people to be the foot protected by the boot. Your political ideological side does everything it can to keep the corporate foot in the boot.

    Corporations and the wealthy are stomping the people, thanks to conservatives.
    "When Facism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." - Unknown

  19. #459
    Quote Originally Posted by Bodakane View Post
    I have to stop making analogies when talking to you, because you ALWAYS misunderstand them.

    I want the people to be the foot protected by the boot. Your political ideological side does everything it can to keep the corporate foot in the boot.
    If people are going to say that the boot is to protect... and corporations are the foot... I'm simply using the analogy you guys are pushing.

    So, you want to stomp all over corporations, and anyone opposed to your authoritarianism.

    Got it.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Edge- View Post
    Again, in a vacuum. If we're to ignore, say, the history of unchecked corporate power when it comes to union busting. This is an a-historical take that ignores the power of corporations in whittling away union power through governmental means.

    This arguments all fall apart when you place them in real world contexts and outside of the isolated and individual bubbles the arguments can only survive in.



    Again, not always an option. Hate you electric company? Tough shit, that's likely the only game in town and self-generated power likely ain't in the cards for the overwhelming majority of folks.

    Works for some things like luxury goods maybe, not for a lot of actual necessities.
    There was just a vote, and they decided not to unionize.

    Voting people out isn't always an option, either. Thank the Electoral College for that one.

    Besides, this isn't even my fucking argument, so take it up with Elegiac, he's the one pushing it.

  20. #460
    Quote Originally Posted by Machismo View Post
    If people are going to say that the boot is to protect... and corporations are the foot... I'm simply using the analogy you guys are pushing.

    So, you want to stomp all over corporations, and anyone opposed to your authoritarianism.

    Got it.
    I mean if you're just going to make up the other side's argument, then its easy to sit back and pretend you're never wrong.

    The government is a tool. It can be used by the people or by the corporations. Corporations are using the government to stomp on the people. If people had the boot, as they are supposed to, then they'd use it to protect themselves as the walk forward.
    "When Facism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." - Unknown

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