A few questions about the way we affect the world...

Why can't people understand that they are not only destroying the environment themselves but that they are supporting the destruction of the environment and society through their spending and their voting?

It's simple: Spending money indicates your support for a company's practices and contributes to their profits. Without your support a company ceases to exist.

Big deal right? Companies are supposed to make profits! Why else would they continue to exist?

Profits for a company that respected the environment and the people they affect are great but why support a company that isn't socially responsible?

It doesn't just stop there. Where do profits go?  Well some of it goes into campaign contributions or to fund lobbys.

Why do corporations contribute to campaigns? They don't vote so what do they have to gain? What are they lobbying the government for? No well-run business spends a dime more than they need to, especially on sponsorships. So why the government? Isn't the government supposed to be elected by the people to represent the people?

Well it's supposed to but it doesn't really. Mainly because most voters don't really take the time to look into each candidate past what the media tells them. And then after the election is over they don't really ask much from their elected (hired and paid) representative. They're either happy the party they wanted got in and so pretty much anything goes or they don't care because their party didn't and can't be bothered.

That's not much of a way to hire or manage an employee at any level. We should be demanding accountability from our city councillor all the way up to our head of government. After all without our votes and our taxes they wouldn't be there.

Who does hold these people accountable? Corporations who have the time and the money, your money, to devote to making sure governments make it easier for them to keep making more of the money you give them into profits. Because it takes money to get elected and re-elected and well who has money? Not the every day voter-consumer. Business don;t spend money they can't justify and usually expect something in return for the generous contributions like leniency or a relaxation of legislations that would impede their business.

So here's a quick recap: Your money becomes a company's profit which goes into your elected officials' campaign funds and is spent to encourage them to steer legislation and government agencies towards more lenient social and enviromental standards so that they can make more profits at the expense of society and the environment.

What can you do about it? Be more actively involved in what your money is spent on be it by buying, voting or holding your elected represenatives accountable.

As always, your comments are welcome!

Arie