2006-06-17 03:55:08 · 6 answers · asked by impeachbushbiz 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Corporations
You seem to have made a conclusion from unknown and probably insupportable reasoning, then from a false premise, asked a question.
Greedy? How so?
If so, is America really more greedy than any other country? How?
Is it wrong to make a profit? Is it wrong that everyone in the world beats a path to the door of Microsoft? Is Bill Gates gouging them, or is he offering them something of value?
I agree that Americans, in general, are too materialistic, but your statement or conclusion is a far step.
2006-06-17 04:05:37 · answer #1 · answered by dredude52 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No more than any other corporation in any other country. The rule of thumb in business is to charge what the market will bear. If you don't think the product is worth it, don't buy it. For the corporation, that only works until competitors enter the market and share in the flow of cash - eventually many competitors and low margins bring the profits to lower levels. Competition is the key. An example is a typical 20% drop in Cable TV prices in an area when a competing cable company enters the market or when Satellite TV or Phone companies begin to take customers away from the cable provider.
You may be put off by the huge profit numbers presented by the oil companies. Their margins are probably similar or less than that made by the soft-drink industry - or bottled water suppliers. A 10% profit margin is hardly greedy, but 10% of 200 $billion is indeed a big number. The stock values are helping a lot of retirement portfolios and other owners to enjoy better returns on their investment. High raw crude oil prices will eventually force several reactions - (a)lower prices (b) more conservation of fuel by users (c)high interest in new technologies for energy. I think some of the corporate leaders (CEO level) have been outrageously rewarded for events that were not of their doing and the rewards of such profit should be shared among a wider base of employees within the companies. That said, it is up to the OWNERS (the shareholders) to make these kinds of choices - not the customers or the government.
2006-06-17 11:45:17 · answer #2 · answered by Me3TV 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because society as a whole has become more greedy. People are given things without earning them and then there is no appreciation for it. It's also a control issure...people want to be in control. Selfishness.
2006-06-17 11:07:33 · answer #3 · answered by Cheryl J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We live in a capitalistic society where money is king. These corporate execs are all about making as much money as possible. There is something wrong with that when someone tries to get to the top regardless of how he/she gets there.
2006-06-17 10:59:49 · answer #4 · answered by Mario B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because money and power are addictive. You can never get enough, and you're always afraid of losing it. Being rich and powerful also detaches you from reality and the common person. Once this detachment happens, it grows until you start thinking of the bottom line instead of the better good of society.
2006-06-17 10:57:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they want to send an astronaut to Mars before the Chinese.
2006-06-17 17:33:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋