1. I think Ben Parker was quoting Eleanor Roosevelt
2. I often wonder if the heads and high mucky-mucks of the companies that want to "cut costs" by putting out products or processes that endanger people or the environment would let their OWN kids and grandkids use the products or live downwind or downstream of the plants. If not, the corporate veil should be lifted right smartly and prosecutions of the said heads and mucky-mucks should ensue. In this case, "put your offspring where your mouth is" should have some power.
Thanks Susan. I looked all over to make sure to use the original source and it appears Marvel-related search results dominate, even over First Ladies. :-)
As for many executives, much has changed compared to the distant past. At one time, corporate leadership was located in the same towns as their companies. They were proud to have themselves and their families use their company's products. Now, they located operations elsewhere, squeeze the unknown labor wherever they set up and wouldn't be caught dead with any of their family using what they sell. Similar to illicit drug cartels.
OK, but I can remember that phrase from my childhood, when Peter Parker was just a twinkle in the spider's eye. I remember my father quoting it during the McCarthy era. And spidey didn't show up till 1962, by which time I was a freshman in college.
Yes, the switch has been from a "member of the community" ethic to a "profits for shareholders" ethic. But what profit the shareholder if their kids or grandkids die from the tactics?
I have no doubt you're correct that it was Ms. Roosevelt. I just found it oddly amusing that a supposedly all-powerful search engine, touted for speedy and accurate results, provided multiple pages of references to Ben Parker, leaving our esteemed Madam First Lady nowhere to be found. You would think it would have immediately credited one of our nation's most influential First Ladies instead. Sign of the times.
Sadly, current shareholders don't seem to see them and theirs the same ilk as the rest of us. They believe their abundant wealth will cushion and insulate them and their family members from any of their product's ill effects. Heat domes, floods, earthquakes and poisoned environments are revealing their myopia and underestimation of destructive reach. No bunker can save you if the earth itself swallows it whole.
Not all shareholders have abundant wealth. I have small stakes in Amazon and since I bought it in the 90s it's about the main wealth I have. Pretty much everyone with a 401k or IRA is a shareholder in something.
Yes, it is amusing about Spidey vs. Eleanor. It shows mostly that few people going on about it today actually were alive and aware in the 40s and 50s. Actually, google tells me that Eleanor was quoting Winston Churchill.
Fair point about shareholders. I too am a shareholder in some way or another through IRAs. My initial statement should have been more precise. I was thinking more of those with holdings closer to institutional scale, like an Icahn, Ackman or some similar character. They come in as "activist investors", buy up large chunks of stock, as individuals and/or through their funds, then publicly demand very high returns AND dividends, often requiring businesses to execute the short-sighted, often dangerous and toxic practices we observe and despise.
Yeah, that's akin to the corporate raiding of the 80s. It would still be interesting if the actual businesses let their relatives use or live near their products and plants.
It has been pointed out that the perfect assassin is someone already close to death from cancer or similar. Perhaps the Icahns and Ackmans need to watch out.
Well said. Two things:
1. I think Ben Parker was quoting Eleanor Roosevelt
2. I often wonder if the heads and high mucky-mucks of the companies that want to "cut costs" by putting out products or processes that endanger people or the environment would let their OWN kids and grandkids use the products or live downwind or downstream of the plants. If not, the corporate veil should be lifted right smartly and prosecutions of the said heads and mucky-mucks should ensue. In this case, "put your offspring where your mouth is" should have some power.
Thanks Susan. I looked all over to make sure to use the original source and it appears Marvel-related search results dominate, even over First Ladies. :-)
As for many executives, much has changed compared to the distant past. At one time, corporate leadership was located in the same towns as their companies. They were proud to have themselves and their families use their company's products. Now, they located operations elsewhere, squeeze the unknown labor wherever they set up and wouldn't be caught dead with any of their family using what they sell. Similar to illicit drug cartels.
OK, but I can remember that phrase from my childhood, when Peter Parker was just a twinkle in the spider's eye. I remember my father quoting it during the McCarthy era. And spidey didn't show up till 1962, by which time I was a freshman in college.
Yes, the switch has been from a "member of the community" ethic to a "profits for shareholders" ethic. But what profit the shareholder if their kids or grandkids die from the tactics?
I have no doubt you're correct that it was Ms. Roosevelt. I just found it oddly amusing that a supposedly all-powerful search engine, touted for speedy and accurate results, provided multiple pages of references to Ben Parker, leaving our esteemed Madam First Lady nowhere to be found. You would think it would have immediately credited one of our nation's most influential First Ladies instead. Sign of the times.
Sadly, current shareholders don't seem to see them and theirs the same ilk as the rest of us. They believe their abundant wealth will cushion and insulate them and their family members from any of their product's ill effects. Heat domes, floods, earthquakes and poisoned environments are revealing their myopia and underestimation of destructive reach. No bunker can save you if the earth itself swallows it whole.
Not all shareholders have abundant wealth. I have small stakes in Amazon and since I bought it in the 90s it's about the main wealth I have. Pretty much everyone with a 401k or IRA is a shareholder in something.
Yes, it is amusing about Spidey vs. Eleanor. It shows mostly that few people going on about it today actually were alive and aware in the 40s and 50s. Actually, google tells me that Eleanor was quoting Winston Churchill.
Fair point about shareholders. I too am a shareholder in some way or another through IRAs. My initial statement should have been more precise. I was thinking more of those with holdings closer to institutional scale, like an Icahn, Ackman or some similar character. They come in as "activist investors", buy up large chunks of stock, as individuals and/or through their funds, then publicly demand very high returns AND dividends, often requiring businesses to execute the short-sighted, often dangerous and toxic practices we observe and despise.
Yeah, that's akin to the corporate raiding of the 80s. It would still be interesting if the actual businesses let their relatives use or live near their products and plants.
It has been pointed out that the perfect assassin is someone already close to death from cancer or similar. Perhaps the Icahns and Ackmans need to watch out.