Titanic Post

Thoughts on the struggle between corporate and human values

By Cedron Jones
Published November 4, 2007

“The chief business of the American people is business.”
– President Calvin Coolidge, 1925.

The sentiment expressed by Coolidge remains prominent today. During the past regular session of the Montana Legislature, an assertion by members of the big-business lobby that a certain bill was “bad for business” often was sufficient to kill it.

But wait a minute. Our economy is the world’s largest, and our society arguably is the richest in history. One might think so much wealth would permit consideration and pursuit of other values and goals, like stronger families and communities and a more healthful environment. So how is it that “bad for business” can trump “good for workers,” “good for the environment,” or “good for democracy?” (more…)