Saturday, July 28, 2007

 
It is often said that politics and religion should not be mixed, and similarly, that Church and State should not mix. And the constitution bears this out with the right of people to follow whatever religion they may choose.

But what about State and Business? They are not quite so separable. After all, congress makes laws that impact business (but do not impact religion or Church). So what are the ground rules on what State and Business can do? Is it right that corporations can influence Congress over some matter because it will result in a big cash flow for them? They are protecting their own best interests after all and it is not wise to sit on the side-lines hoping the legislation will go your way when you know you could influence to go your way and thus increase your kudos.

So, is it appropriate for a congressman to be swayed by a big Corporation when the Congressman is charged with protecting and forwarding the Constitution? The Corporation is only looking out for itself and its shareholders. The Congressman is looking out for his constituents as well as the Constitution. Could there be a conflict of interests? Indeed yes!

There is a movement to have the election funds for candidates for the Senate and Congress to be drawn from Public funds and to refuse funds from Corporations. This will put an arms length distance between Corporations and Congress. But I fear it would not be a complete handling as the Congressman is already prejudiced toward his own constituency so he remains in power. How would his costituents regard it if he votes something down on the grounds of it not being good for his country when it would be a nice piece of pork for his area?

Here is where we encounter the principle of the greatest good for all. One wonders if our politicians can handle the pressure to do the right thing!

Quite rightly a Corporate Exec is charged with increasing the wealth of his stockholders with increased dividend and increased share value. His first concern is to the corporation. Not the state. Not the Church either.

A Politician is charged with looking out for the interests of his/her constituents. But also to uphold the constitution. Oh dear! He is in trouble before he begins!

To ease the burden, what should a government be doing? it should provide funds and guiding principles for the defence of the country, It should control the money supply and thereby the inflation, it should make trade agreements with other countries, and agree common laws that will promote peace and create trade amongst countries. The US has the extra duty of being the guiding light and example of individual freedom for all mankind.

Currently the USA is engaged in an illegal conflict in Iraq. Going in on the basis of freeing the people from the ravages of Saddam Hussain and creating a democratic country instead, the US has done quite the opposite as apparently the infrastructure is not re-constructed, and the oil is still in the ground and being coveted by the US oil corps, who do not seem to want the US troops to leave.


It seems that oil is a vital commodity for the US and is worth going to war over. But here is my take on this. If it became necessary the individuals in the USA are bright and creative enough to create an alternative without abrogating the property and rights of another nation. If the US did its proper job of being an example of freedom and republicanism (not democracy currently) for all, then it would garnish support from the grateful nations of the world. Fat chance of that now!

The corporations if allowed to operate on their own steam as dealmakers all around the world could turn the scene around as there is nothing like the the club of wealthy individuals working with each other to broker deals that help all involved. Dubai is building up a finacial hub as it knows it is running out of oil. Well in Iraq a deal could be done with the Oil Corps to provide real aid in exchange for the oil. Perhaps the Sunnis will destroy the new structures, but that would have to be reckoned in with the deal. But the power of the promise of personal wealth and the prospect of a prosperous peace would look very welcome to both sides. The way it stands now it would be extremely difficult to bring this about. But it would be a huge business opportunity.

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