upvote

points

by wvenable2 hours ago |
comments
upvoteby lkey1 hours ago|
next
[-]
You may have no memory of it, but there was a time when many American corporations had different, broader values. The structure of the present is not necessary or inevitable.
reply
upvoteby wvenable1 hours ago|
parent|
[-]
Did they really have broader values or did they just not have the technical sophistication to optimize their operation to this level? Where "values" just a substitute for more limited information?

I think computers have made the structure of the present inevitable.

reply
upvoteby lesuorac12 minutes ago|
parent|
[-]
Imo a bit of both.

The founders [1] of mcdonalds probably did care about say cheaply providing people with enjoyable food. But I would bet soon after they sold [2] the company the actual values changed and definitely a bunch of CEOs down the road the guy put in charge is there for shareholder return.

I personally don't think it's computers. It's unfettered corperatization. Stop giving companies corporate charters to "do all business activities allowed by X state" and instead give them more narrow charters.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_and_Maurice_McDonald

[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Kroc

reply
upvoteby dylan6041 hours ago|
prev|
next
[-]
Really think about it for a second; $8.5 billion in profit. That's an insane amount of money. How many companies with that kind of profit are actively dodging taxes from aggressive accounting, getting deals with local governments, or any other way? Not that the government would spend the extra tax revenue wisely. Instead, what if they took $1 billion of that to increase the pay of the lowest earning employees significantly while not increase the highest earners at all, or paying 100% of health care (medical, dental, vision, and mental), or any of the other things to help improve employee relationships. Then, start focusing on the external things that could be directly improved by taking less profit to improve things for those so much is taken. That's still $7.5 billion in profit.
reply
upvoteby wvenable1 hours ago|
parent|
[-]
> How many companies with that kind of profit are actively dodging taxes from aggressive accounting, getting deals with local governments, or any other way?

I don't think it's fair to imply that McDonald's is doing anything shady. They have over 2 million workers (although not directly, it's a franchise model). They make a lot of profit but, proportional to the total workforce, it's about average. Hardly something to be outraged about.

If you spread $1 billion evenly among two million workers, that's about $500 per employee per year. That is roughly 25 cents an hour for a full-time worker. Paying 100% health care would be several billion dollars.

The underlying implication here is whether companies should make any profit at all. If the amount of profit allowed is non-zero, what is the correct number? And if there is a correct number, what do you propose to do about it?

reply
upvoteby lovich22 minutes ago|
parent|
[-]
The average American, which McDonald’s workers are on the low end side, can’t handle a 500 dollar emergency.

500 dollars a year to every worker would make a material difference in most of their lives.

reply
upvoteby valleyer1 hours ago|
prev|
[-]
Yes. The people that make up that corporation should care about their fellow man (family, friends) and should take pride in making good things (personal fulfillment).

We are allowed to pierce the corporate veil here.

reply
upvoteby wvenable1 hours ago|
parent|
[-]
Who say's they don't? How does this compare to what you do for a living?
reply