http://www.rethos.com/Akeeba What's happening for you on Rethos.com en-us blog <p>The Otesha Project is hiring a new High School Programs Director!</p> <p>See the attached job description, or check http://www.otesha.ca/files/HSProgramsDirector08.pdf for more information.</p> <p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:... Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:00:11 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1591 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1591 article <p>In considering how we might win improved policies from Apple, we knew one thing for certain: Apple might tune out Greenpeace, but they would never tune out their customers. Apple's famously loyal fan base was the one force on the planet that was guaranteed to get the attention of Apple CEO Steve Jobs.<br /><br />So we decided this was to be a very different Greenpeace campaign, one in which we would turn over the reigns to Apple's customers. We would stand in the shoes of Apple fans, we would speak as fellow believers in the wizards of Cupertino, and we'd try to channel waves of... Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:38:52 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1549 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1549 audio_video <p class="MsoNormal">I consider myself a scientific person, encouraged by empirical evidence; so, at the surface Friedman&rsquo;s argument for capitalism is compelling. Several problems arise, however, upon a more mindful take of his words. His examples are flawed, his history skewed, his definitions conflated.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">First, the indigenous tribes of the world may object to his &ldquo;crystal-clear&rdquo; account of history, stating that only societies that exploit self-interest have escaped grinding poverty; although that is a fairly minor point. More surprising is ... Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:28:09 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1544 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1544 article <p>Many prominent science magazines argue that solving the environmental crisis requires that we use substantially more nuclear energy.</p> <p>If this was true I'd be all for ignoring the many health risks (including intentional and unintentional explosion) and centralization aspect for the sake of the climate.</p> <p>But, I discovered from talking to some folks at the Sustainable Energy Summit at Amherst, that it certainly is not true. And this article explains how we can reach a carbon-free and nuclear-free society in scientific yet understandable terms.</p> <p>McCain can take his 45 n... Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:29:18 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1529 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1529 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:53:14 -0400 Hi all, Lately, I've become increasingly involved with the common good bank project. I was inspired by some discussions (with lynx in particular) here on rethos to educate myself enough to create some revolutionary financial institution - then I discovered it was already in progress. Please check out the page, http://www.rethos.com/commongoodfinance. We need everyone's help for this thing to get off the ground. Having people sign up increases investor and state regulator confidence. A signature really helps, and if you want to help in other ways that can be arranged as well. Tha... http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/inbox article <p><strong>Great post from a Great site. It's an exchange between Media Lens participants and NY Times workers showing how the media is once again deceiving the public to allow another invasion.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span class="postbody">Also Includes GUEST MEDIA ALERT: DAVID PETERSON RESPONDS TO OLIVER KAMM below <br /> <br /> When George Bush arrived in Britain last week as part of his "farewell tour", the real reasons for the visit were buried well out of sight. The tour was not, as the Guardian suggested, a mere "continental au revoir". The purpose was to coerce Gordon B... Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:26:59 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1521 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1521 article <p>Fairtrade is a good thing right?</p> <p>Have you looked into it?</p> <p>How does it work and the benifit the people involved?</p> <p>I recently started to ask these questions. The aims of the fairtrade movement are safe working condition, payment of a fair price, transparency and accountability and gender equality. Although the assumption made by most, myself included, is that the main crux is to get a better price for farmers and labours.</p> <p>On this main point things are not as straight forward as they may seem. There are reports of fair trade coffee workers in Peru being paid 1... Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:54:32 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1288 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1288 blog <p>"Bright and early for the daily races, going nowhere, going nowhere"</p> <p>Capitalism, as many of us realize, is an exploitative system at its roots, predicated on money-making money. However, if someone is sitting around watching their money grow, someone else is not getting due compensation for their day's labor. Capitalism is such a malfunctioning system it undermines itself; there should be some price that clears the market, that removes scarity and surplus, but incentives lie in artificially manipulating prices, spending on advertising, extorting labor as much as possible. It is a... Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:48:07 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1281 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1281 blog <p>In January of 1959, Fidel Castro was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Cuba after leading a revolution against the United States backed Dictator Fulgencio Batista. Castro quickly established a one party socialist style economy in Cuba. Next, he sought to build international relations with powerful countries in order to improve Cuba. Castro first turned to United States for assistance but the United States rejected any relations because of the paranoia fear of Communism in the United States. Cuba then looked to the United States greatest rival at the time, the Soviet Union.<... Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:23:44 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1222 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1222 blog <p>More and more people are seeking out an avenue to act and force change, to be heard and acknowledged. This capitalist system is indeed rotting from the inside out, but what it calls spoiled, we call ripe for change. Aristotle got it right to say that man is a political animal. People are feeling the unnaturalness of prolonged political isolation; we are cynical in sizing up politicians, caustic in describing our "democratic" process, yet ignorant in the reasons behind our feelings. We attribute them to man's nature, to inevitability, because when something is inevitable it can be... Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:40:25 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1188 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1188 Check out this clip of musician Lili Haydn talking about the writer's strike... http://vlaze.com/117442 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:18:04 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/947 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/947 Check out this clip of musician Lili Haydn talking about the writer's strike along with other important current issues. http://vlaze.com/117442 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:14:58 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/521 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/521 Opportunity <div class="content"> <p>Internship Opportunity&mdash;Tour Liaison<br />Otesha Cycling and Performing Tours <br /><a href="http://www.otesha.ca/">www.otesha.ca</a></p> <p>The Otesha Project is seeking 14 dedicated, organized, fun-loving individuals, aged 18 to 30, to serve as Tour Liaisons for its 2008 cycling and performing tours. As part of a team of 15 to 20 performers, you will take care of all administrative and on-the-road logistics for the tour. Successful candidates will support team members as individuals, foster a positive team environment, support teams in achieving tour object... Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:51:37 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/opportunities/view/82 http://www.rethos.com/opportunities/view/82 blog <p>Internship Opportunity&mdash;Tour Liaison<br />Otesha Cycling and Performing Tours <br /><a href="http://www.otesha.ca">www.otesha.ca</a></p> <p>The Otesha Project is seeking dedicated, organized, fun-loving individuals, aged 18 to 30, to serve as Tour Liaisons for its 2008 cycling and performing tours. As part of a team of 15 to 20 performers, you will take care of all administrative and on-the-road logistics for the tour. Successful candidates will support team members as individuals, foster a positive team environment, support teams in achieving tour objectives, keep teams on schedul... Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:48:01 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1085 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1085 <p>hmm this is the internet not <span class="caps">USA</span> inc. The US is the most free country both in religion and society. Seem like a lot of hot air to me.</p> Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:09:08 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/844 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/844 <p>The war is historic in origin, Over the past 75 years Mindanao has changed from a small Muslim population to a large mainly Christian population. The war is ‘freedom fighters’ against the current government forces. The American observe and are not involved in fighting. Talks are going on and in time the problems may go away – lets hope.</p> Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:52:12 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/144 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/144 <p>Akeeba,</p> <p>When you joined Rethos, you brought with you some great writings that produced interesting insights and asked important questions. Your presence in the community will be missed.</p> Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:45:36 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 <p>Akeeba,</p> <p>I recently posted a response to your questions about Rethos as a comment to the following article:</p> <p>http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760-Businesses-Corporations-and-Companies-in-the-Rethos-Community I hope it&#8217;s helpful. Please share comments, reactions or further questions at will.</p> <p>Thanks.</p> Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:24:02 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/915 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/915 <p>For a long time, I&#8217;ve been wondering about how to use my life. I am someone with an enormous amount of opportunity and I believe that I could easily ignore all of the challenges and loss happening in the world today. However, I also believe that you are absolutely, positively right. If we are organized, determined, and do not fear the boss-men, then we shall prevail. Get the message out, reject the damage control brainwashings that the corporations will undoubtably react with, and the noble masses will join us.</p> <p><span class="caps">VIVA LA REVOLUCION</span>!</p> Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:46:21 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/692 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/692 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:50:41 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:50:24 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies <p>Hi Akeeba,</p> <p>I’m sorry for the delay in getting back to you. As you may have noticed, we’ve been working hard during the past several weeks to deploy some new features to Rethos. Due to that and some other initiatives, I’ve been focusing more on the back end of the website and spending much less time that I would like engaged in the community’s activity.</p> <p>Firstly, your questions are valid and we thank you for taking the time to raise them. Responding to them gives us a chance to broaden members’ understanding of Rethos, its mission and where it is heading. ... Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:15:19 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 <p>I agree the workers should invest all the money they would have lost together together their resources &#38; invest in a company of their own. Worker owned companies are the wave of the future &#8230; sad thing is under capitalism what that company is doing is perfectly legal &#8230;. justice &#38; workers&#8217; rights be damned &#8230;.. excellent article dude !!!</p> <p>Peace n Love</p> Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:31:20 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/937 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/937 <p>we had a good company that the owners decided they were not making enough money and decided to close up. &#8211; The workers decided to take over. Some had been working there since they left school, and understood the business well. The 300 workers should buy them out.</p> Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:10:48 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/937 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/937 <p>&#8220;Well, it’s been a full month since your last post on that thread…any new news that’s not been publicly posted?&#8221;</p> <p>None that I know of. All I want are answers to my questions. Surely, the folks at Rethos, Inc. could spare a few minutes to answer some easy questions.</p> <p>I don&#8217;t think leaving the company I work for is the answer. Those of you who feel this is only happening in my workplace might not realize that it happens in many other workplaces as well. Because I have a close connection to the management where I work, I am able to provide an &#... Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:41:43 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/915 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/915 <p>Well, it&#8217;s been a full month since your last post on that thread&#8230;any new news that&#8217;s not been publicly posted? I quit my MySpace profile for precisely the same reasons you cite in your last post there, by the way.</p> <p>One other member mentioned that they were deliberately limiting the personal information they distributed on the Rethos website, while the co-founder Chris mentioned that they ask for a much more limited palette of information (when compared to certain other social networking sites). Combine this with the fact that Internet usage and web hosting is... Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:25:39 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/915 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/915 <p>Let&#8217;s spur on the discussion! Hopefully the Rethos founders are paying attention for a call to action here. Let&#8217;s get some CEOs to join in the conversation and develop the unabridged version of the site.</p> Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:09:48 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/697 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/697 <p>Personally, I think supporting a union that does all those things and encourages a 32 hour work week is better. Those 8 hours could be used for community involvement and taking care of the family.</p> <p>But I am cautious about any organization since corruption tends to leak in. Jimmy Hoffa and the teamsters come to mind.</p> Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:43:40 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/521 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/521 <p>There is a lot that can said of the corporate model. Because they are fashioned to go after money, these efficient and effective organizational structures cut corners and make careless and dangerous mistakes (sometimes intentionally). I think the nature of the organization is most critical and if they are truly going to practice <span class="caps">CSR</span>, the bottom line cannot be the primary force compelling action. For that reason, I agree with Akeeba that it is not possible for &#8220;for-profit&#8221; corporations to be socially responsible.</p> <p>Corporations in the energy ... Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:32:23 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/886 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/886 <p>Get the city to use it&#8217;s powe of eminent domain to force the company to sell the plant to the workers instead of shutting it down. seriously.</p> <p>I actually wrote a blog post on this exact topic a few weeks ago, check it out: http://rethos.com/news/view/692-On-Revolution-How-and-Why-</p> <p>worker-owned businesses are the wave of the future, who the hell needs a boss when it&#8217;s so much easier to self-organize?</p> Sun, 30 Dec 2007 21:59:04 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/937 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/937 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 18:02:53 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies <p>Akeeba, after reading your story, I think that the company you work for will not be around for very much longer. If they exploit their employees, they surely will not be able to retain any talent. I also think that the company you work for does not deserve you. The best thing you can do is leave and bring all your associates with you.</p> <p>I also agree with you; hireachy sucks. Not only does it create the problems in which you describe, it stifles any type of passion and creativity that could be had in a business. Do you wake up excited to go to work? Of course not! How could you in... Sun, 30 Dec 2007 02:59:14 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/915 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/915 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:02:09 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:00:06 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies <p>Akeeba,</p> <p>You are right that corporations are tip-toeing their way into absolute transparency and that social responsibility is a flexible term and a young concept. It is an ideal that is not being full met very from those that are considered <span class="caps">CSR</span> leaders.</p> <p>I feel that rather than squashing this ideal before it can grow, it should encouraged and at the same time raised as a point for discussion and debate between consumers and the companies that they support or don’t support.</p> <p>Lynx,</p> <p>Your point about the Legal obligation of co... Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:37:10 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/886 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/886 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:34:24 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies <p>for-profit corporations are <span class="caps">LEGALLY REQUIRED</span> to place their bottom line and the profits of their shareholders ahead of all other considerations. as far as i&#8217;m concerned, &#8220;socially responsible&#8221; corporations are like gods and invisible pink unicorns &#8211; it&#8217;s impossible to prove they don&#8217;t exist somewhere out there in the cosmos, but I&#8217;ve certainly never encountered one and I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s very likely that I ever will.</p> <p>as for your argument that just because we are all surounded by corporations we can... Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:49:58 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/886 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/886 Opportunity <p>The Otesha Project has announced the routes for the 2008 Otesha Cycling and Performing Tours (Check out: www.otesha.ca/bike+tours/index.en.html). Applications are now being accepted for seven regional tours throughout Canada that will take more than 120 inspiring young change-makers on the journey of a lifetime. You could be one of them!</p> <p>Tour members will share an incredible experience as they live as a mobile and sustainable community for two months. They will cycle from performance to performance, braving the elements, connecting with communities along the route, and explorin... Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:22:59 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/opportunities/view/67 http://www.rethos.com/opportunities/view/67 <p>Perhaps my explanation of the compromise was a little vague. Surely, a compromise is a necessity in certain walks of life. However, there are certain things one has to fight for. My explanation of a compromise in this context is a failure to initiate a struggle for what is principally and ethically right. I think one has to keep pushing forward the &#8220;humane thing to do&#8221; so to speak.</p> Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:53:51 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/845 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/845 <p>Where oh where did you get that wonderful drawing? Wonderful article. Here&#8217;s another perspective: http://www.ericnunnally.net/2Nuts/?p=209</p> Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:44:11 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/618 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/618 <p>Akeeba, I would prescribe the same for people with and without children. The premise is the same. The child will be treated whether he/she has insurance or not &#8211; it&#8217;s &#8220;who is going to pay&#8221; that is the issue.</p> Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:28:32 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/803 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/803 <p>That the American government is in deep trouble is obvious. But this is a government of the people by the people and for the people.</p> <p>Unfortunately the people are far too busy watching <span class="caps">MTV</span>, buying SUVs, and gossiping about movie stars to take control of their government, hold their elected representatives accountable, and actively participate in their local governments.</p> <p>I watch high school graduates enter the world of adulthood without any understanding of the tools of change that are built in to the American political system. Public meetings ... Sun, 02 Dec 2007 12:06:09 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 <p>We recently updated this posting to respond directly to concerns about privacy. The following is the new section we added that addresses concerns raised by Kiadso and Akeeba:</p> <hr /> <p>Does Rethos sell its members’ personal information?</p> <p>A member has recently voiced concerns about Rethos’ privacy policy. We wish to clarify that we do not sell our membership’s personal information and have no intention of ever doing so. We believe that this would be a deeply cynical move, and would totally fly in the face of Rethos’ mission.</p> <p>Moreover, we have never aske... Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:16:31 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 <p>I agree that privacy and handling of personal information is a major issue that has been raised on this thread. Just today, there was an Associated Press story about Facebook&#8217;s &#8220;Beacon,&#8221; and the controversy surrounding this application&#8217;s disclosure of user information.</p> <p>When I signed up as a rethos member I didn&#8217;t give the site any personal information, other than what is on my profile, which is also public and available for anyone to see. I&#8217;m not worried about my personal information because I haven&#8217;t disclosed any. A web site can&#8217... Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:00:20 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 <p>My problem with Rethos is not that they&#8217;re making money. It&#8217;s the lack of transparency. I believe it&#8217;s perfectly ok to make money, but not by deceiving people. There were lots of questions asked in these threads, only a few of which were answered. One of the most straightforward questions is still unanswered: what exactly is being done with our information? The privacy policy is vague. It&#8217;s a fair question that deserves more than a little teasing about possible attendance at a Rainbow Gathering or accusations of distrust.</p> Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:09:51 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 <p>Thank you Pablo, Alex and Chris. I truly believe this site to have the right idea and from what I can tell, the right people behind it. People who believe a site like this could exist without financial backing live in a dream world. Continue doing what you have to do and I whole-heartedly believe that the people who genuinely want to make a difference in this world will follow.</p> Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:15:52 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 <p>I can speak briefly here. My name is Jason Boyer and I helped Alex with some PR when the site was still relatively new and have occasionally participated in discussions regarding Rethos.com potential outcomes. One thing that come out of our initial discussions is the phrase under Rethos; &#8220;A <span class="caps">PLATFORM</span> for change&#8221;. Firstly indicated here is that this is only a platform (i know a play on words). Secondly is that change is needed. Alex is a graduate from Princeton University with a focus on economics. I&#8217;d hoped that he would be more clear with ever... Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:58:28 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/760 <p>holy sh&#8230; Well. I don&#8217;t presently know a great deal about economic structure but it seems that this plan is perfection.</p> Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:18:11 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/692 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/692 <p>I agree completely Ian, let&#8217;s set the incentives to be &#8220;ethical, virtuous, and moral.&#8221; Generally, that would entail setting up an artificial market where the incentives run beneficially, because from current evidence, market pressures create a slavish system. The most profitable thing to do is have your product made as cheaply as possible, and sell it as expensively as possible. Hence sweatshop products being sold to rich people. The only reason this would ever change is if some company said, we are a responsible company and pay our wage-slaves double what they pay and ... Sat, 24 Nov 2007 19:48:04 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Akeeba, your post gives me the slight sensation that you judge me as greedy. I might be far off, and if I am, please tell me and I appoligize in advance.</p> <p>In any case, if I was greedy, trust me, I wouldn&#8217;t have started my career in the music business!</p> <p>In regards to your comment: &#8220;Notice the possessive manner in which Ian writes about &#8216;his&#8217; teachers. Humans cannot be owned&#8221;</p> <p>I could have easily said my people, my family, etc. This does not translate to me believing I own them. In fact, its important that I disclose that the teacher... Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:41:45 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Bollocks! As long as the <span class="caps">CEO</span> of a publicly held corporation is subject to the laws governing corporations in the United States he/she has one, and only one, duty to perform and failure to exercise all of his/her abilities and resources in the service of that duty is a breach of that duty: that duty is to maximize profits for the shareholders. Any diversion of resources or wealth to projects or processes or the promotion and sale thereof is a breach of that fiduciary duty unless they are specifically designed to increase the fiscal bottom line.</p> <p>Until th... Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:44:30 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Mr. Treadwell, you mention:&#8221;...You start with a small corner store and end up with an unethical, life insurance-taking out, bullying, giant of a complex, because the profit motive drives the whole process.&#8221;</p> <p>Are you saying that if my little music school grows to be big, it will be unethical? Its values will be out the door?</p> <p>Here is the reality; Corporations are not evil. Its the people that run them who are. Set the incentives to make a company ethical, virtuous, and moral and it will be.</p> <p>I am sure many of you might say that this is not possible; ... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 23:16:48 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>That really reinforces the problem with the corporate capitalist structure. You start with a small corner store and end up with an unethical, life insurance-taking out, bullying, giant of a complex, because the profit motive drives the whole process.</p> <p>It&#8217;s just that when they&#8217;re little you don&#8217;t really have to worry about them because their power isn&#8217;t as overwhelming as your News corp&#8217;s and Clearchannel&#8217;s&#8230;yet. Given enough time the structure moves toward the life-dominating corporations we see now.</p> <p>It is precisely this reason,... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:55:06 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Fullmoonmedia, you mentioned: &#8221;...comparing corner stores and Wal-Marts.&#8221; Ironically, all corporations start that way; as a corner store. Just as Walmart did.</p> Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:31:41 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>&#8220;Power today resides in control of the means of production, exchange, publicity, transportation and communication. Whoever owns them rules the life of the country, even if democratic forms remain. Business for private profit through private control of banking, land, industry reinforced by command of the press, press agents and other means of publicity and propaganda, that is the system of actual power, the source of coercion and control, and until it&#8217;s unravelled we can&#8217;t talk seriously about democracy and freedom.&#8221; <del>-John Dewey</del>-</p> Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:37:43 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Amen.</p> <p>Ian, we applaud your effort and respect your company. We understand people generally have good intentions. Do you think the receptionist at Kaiser Permanente likes to turn down life-saving procedures, or that Ford managers enjoy laying off thousands of people? The good intentions of any corporation on the stock exchange is limited by the growth of the profit margin. Any altruistic action that doesn&#8217;t make money will never happen. Tell me, how the hell do you make money from allowing the community you serve and employ have a say in distributing profits, something tha... Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:25:56 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>I think your idea is brilliant! I have seen Naomi Klein&#8217;s movie The Take (http://www.thetake.org/index.cfm?page_name=watch_the_trailer) about what Argentinian workers did following the economic collapses yet never connected the dots and thought of applying the strategy at home or all over the world.</p> Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:15:00 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/692 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/692 <p>Well what a fine debate!</p> <p>If I may chime in&#8230;</p> <p>So-called &#8220;Social Responsibility&#8221; is clearly in opposition and empirically opposed to the bottom line (profit) where corporations are concerned. If nothing changes regarding the &#8220;appropriate&#8221; behavior of corporations, (whether by interventions or levees or legislation), then there will be no incentive for corporations to take on any responsibility other than the <span class="caps">ONE</span> they currently maintain: a responsibility to maximize profits for their investors (period).</p> <p>Any... Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:18:50 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Richard brings some very interesting commentary. However, what Richard is doing is what we call projection; because a couple of corporations that are harmful to humanity, all corporations must therefore be the same.</p> <p>Unfortunately, this is very far from reality. The reason why I actually take offense to this depiction is because, I work for a corporation that does good things for people. And, the reality is, there are a lot more corporations like the one I work for then the large corporations that Richard depicts.</p> <p>Let me tell you a story that may make you appreciate s... Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:55:00 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Ian, I think you severely underestimate the craftiness of the corporate world and overestimate its legitimacy.</p> <p>Why should we even bother to pester and prod these organizations time and time again, just constantly trying to get them to stop their greedy ways? Boycott after boycott, trial after trial, struggle after struggle. Here&#8217;s the ultimate problem &#8211; they aren&#8217;t going to do an inch more than they have to, to make money. Its always going to be an uphill battle. True, starting a co-op based society is an uphill battle as well, but at least once its set off we... Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:29:21 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Kiadso,</p> <p>You say: &#8220;I cannot for one minute imagine a corporation taking anything from an article posted on Rethos and making a company policy decision based on it. Corporations on Rethos would want to be on Rethos not to learn from us, but to <span class="caps">SOLICIT</span> us.&#8221;</p> <p>You&#8217;re partially right on this. A corporation does wants to solicit you. However, corporations would join the Rethos community specifically for the purposes of learning from you. How can they sell to you if they don&#8217;t know what it is that you want?</p> <p>You say: &... Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:42:41 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Ian,</p> <p>You say: &#8220;We are being afforded the opportunity to influence &#8220;powerful&#8221; corporations, and to discard such an opportunity is sensless.&#8221;</p> <p>That&#8217;s an interesting take on this situation, but I disagree. It sounds like you&#8217;re saying that because corporations are powerful, we should feel grateful for the chance to beg them not to abuse their power that they shouldn&#8217;t have anyway? Also, I cannot for one minute imagine a corporation taking anything from an article posted on Rethos and making a company policy decision based on it.... Sun, 18 Nov 2007 21:40:39 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>I think that yes, there could be a wholly socially resonsible corporation. The point, however, is that there never has been one and never will be one, since once a corporation becomes completely socially responsible, it ceases to be defined as a corporation. I believe that this is the case, but if anyone thinks differently, please respond.</p> Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:44:10 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Akeeba, I&#8217;m glad the ideas I present help you develop your own. Michael Albert&#8217;s economic vision ParEcon has helped me a lot. Look it up on www.znet.org</p> <p>If you, or anyone else, haven&#8217;t looked at zmag and znet definitely check them out. Znet is a great place to regain your strength after taking a beating from the corporate media all day. Zmag is the original magazine.</p> <p>Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and other notable progressive activists have blogs on there and very lively debate is commonplace. Give it a look.</p> Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:15:28 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>I like to see corporations as well, but only to learn about their practices. The fact that they are on this site most certainly does not mean that they are courageously trying to make a difference by throwing themselves at our mercy. It means, we are a profitable market, and they are trying to get us to buy their stuff any way they can. Now I think this is a great idea. Let&#8217;s tell them what we want.</p> <p>We want you, corporations, to pay laborers a standard minimum wage&#8230; 10 dollars an hour. We want you to become directly accountable to the public, meaning, if a community... Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:49:11 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Akeeba, lets be clear on something (and please re-read my post cause clearly you have misinterpreted). I have never stated that the anti-corporate and non-corporation-based writings to be &#8220;ramblings.&#8221; The defintion of rambling is &#8220;going on for a long time&#8221; and when I refer to it, I refer to our discussions which we carry out as a community which do not draw out change. A proposed solution is great, but how do we implement it? This is where I see working with corporations beneficial. They have the ability to implement our propositions.</p> Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:08:46 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:39:56 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies <p>Interesting post Kiadso. However, I do feel like we are taking the inclusion of corporations on this site in the wrong fashion.</p> <p>I see Rethos as a tool. A tool that allows us to educate, influence, and help make this world a better place. Rethos, from my understanding, is a platform for change. And the only way to start such a change is to initiate a discussion.</p> <p>I want to see corporations on this site. I want to hear what companies are doing to make a difference and look at how genuine their intentions are. I want us to propose solutions and I want these corporations t... Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:15:32 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>Gives me chills to think about. I&#8217;ve wondered the exact same thing. If these unions are complaining so much about lacking wages, and unjust treatment..why don&#8217;t they build their own business? By not doing so they&#8217;re supporting this owner/worker distinction. I don&#8217;t mean to belittle the unions, but they and we just have to take a step forward.</p> <p>Its exciting to have someone with similar ideas lynx. Credit Unions, factory takeovers, just production of goods. All the pieces are there, and they are slowly coming together. Its all definitely in an infant stage,... Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:55:09 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 <p>Paul &#8211; I agree with you, the next big step forward is not armchair philosophy but to actually develop working alternatives. For me, the growing movement towards worker-owned non-hierarchical and self-managed businesses is a massive step in the right direction because it provides a glimpse of a better way to organize our production. What I&#8217;d really like to see is that movement growing and taking things to the next level &#8211; setting up credit unions that would provide bridge loans to workers seeking to purchase the businesses where they work and convert them into collecti... Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:08:20 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 <p>Meet the new boss-same as the old boss&#8230;</p> Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:26:45 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>My hope is that the energy put into my writing energizes whoever reads it. The people that give me feedback tell me it inspires them to question more and believe less. There are those who hate it of course..but I like to think its because they hate the ideas, and I try to view it like this. People that disagree are much more likely to respond, so hopefully to the extent those who disagree hate it, those who agree (but don&#8217;t respond) are moved by it&#8230;but who knows. You tell me.</p> <p>I haven&#8217;t gone out and talked to as many people as I would like about the issues. My ... Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:24:26 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:39:35 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies <p>We need to be thinking realistically about how to press for economic democracy. It should be an issue at the forefront of the world&#8217;s consciousness. This isn&#8217;t some far off idea that maybe our grandkids will experience, it is the next popular struggle, women&#8217;s suffrage, civil rights, economic democracy. We need a vision, along with tangible steps to achieving that vision. Think hard and think big.</p> Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:27:45 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 <p>We should press for advertisement reform while having certain co-ops already advertise in a responsible way. We need to elect politicians that will support the co-op movement by endorsing them, facilitating their inception, and most importantly shunning the corporate world. We should also press for changes within current co-ops. I need to do a lot more research on co-ops vs. corporations. I just met someone who works at a worker-owned co-op. But we need more explicitly democratic co-ops, in the sense that they are accountable to the community and not just the workers.</p> <p>Imagine a... Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:08:39 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/683 <p>I thought that you would be interested in viewing this website because I think it represents a beginning for fighting the tide of corporate destruction. It uses art and good research and mostly healthy skepticism to reveal the dangers of falling for the Global Corporate Line. Dow Chemical has tried to convince us all about their good citizenship&#8230;and this site unmasks them brilliantly. Seeing is a beginning. I&#8217;d be interested in your reactions.</p> Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:20:12 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>government is corrupted to the core on a global level. rights and laws need a total revision and a more enlightened way must be created!!!!!!!</p> Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:12:55 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 <p>Right on Kiadso, seeing this on rethos has worried me too. The imagination cannot even entertain the idea of a democratic corporation&#8230;its just not possible. Corporate divisions of labor are demeaning and corrupting. Corporate promises of environmental friendliness, or whatever are but illusions, because continual profit expansion just does not logically coincide with social justice and equity. The money and wealth have to be channeled somewhere right? And I don&#8217;t think a corporation will ever give up its profits to better the community..except for shallow charity work used t... Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:32:21 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/626 <p>This is a thoughtful and well-put article about what&#8217;s wrong with the American party system. It does seem as though voting within the parties preserves the status quo rather than effecting any actual change. Still, what I&#8217;d like to see is the &#8216;what we can do about it&#8217;. I am about to be of voting age and I would like, very much, to vote in such a way as to be able to make change.</p> <p>(A side-note in response to Akeeba: Stating that America&#8217;s system is similar to the one-party system in Communist countries is perfectly alright and not insulting to any ac... Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:40:28 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 <p>i think this is an issue that many people in other countries with multiple party systems have recognized about the american &#8216;democratic&#8217; system. hopefully more people will become aware of this &#8216;two sides of the same coin&#8217; system but will choose to become involved in a solution, rather than remaining indifferent.</p> Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:39:34 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 13:56:52 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies <p>I agree with the general idea of this piece and I have to say Ben, that picture is fucking hilarious</p> Sat, 03 Nov 2007 23:11:45 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/597 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 08:35:53 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies <p>The power of a collective, be it in a union or not, is always transformative. The more people say &#8220;enough&#8221; to unfair labor practices (and they abound, even in our society), the more solutions come to the surface. We have to say &#8220;no&#8221; to something negative before we can say &#8220;yes&#8221; to what is positive and constructive. One of the ways we can do this, is surely, to symbolically and financially support those who unionize and strike. Another is to take such action ourselves and organize like-minded people, with or without a union as the context. A general... Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:39:14 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/521 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/521 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:53:37 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies <p>Your last paragraph says it all&#8230; that&#8217;s an agreement that encompasses wholeness for all&#8230; That, to me, is the highest kind of comittment there is. Every cell sure needs to be cleansed and brought to realize its wholeness. Cynicism is a cancer&#8230; it is a disease that feeds upon the healthy organism!! Love it to death, with the choiceless choice of fearless integrity. As my daughter says: you rock!</p> Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:41:21 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/360 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/360 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:27:26 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:12:00 -0500 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:58:46 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:53:24 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies Tue, 02 Oct 2007 11:18:37 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies Sun, 30 Sep 2007 11:18:47 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:37:53 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:13:40 -0400 http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies http://www.rethos.com/citizens/Akeeba/allies