I read an interesting article in Yes Magazine recently (Watch Us Move Our Missions, 02/01/12). It profiled cities, organizations and churches moving their money out of banks that they consider to have had a negative impact on society. You might have heard about Bank Transfer Day. I, honestly, didn’t hear too much…
Jack Bogle & Paul Volcker
A great discussion between Jack Bogle and Paul Volcker, moderated by Kathleen Hays at the John Bogle Legacy Forum on Tuesday in New York. They discussed long-term investing, transaction tax, securities markets, opposition to the Volcker Rule at Davos, liquidity, and more. Boble, said, “I have an idea that
Davos report: The Future of Capitalism
To Serve Society Better, Capitalism Needs a Redesign Adrian Monck, Managing Director, Head of Communications: +41 (0)79 817 0315; adrian.monck@weforum.org While how well the business community is meeting its social responsibilities is a matter of debate, efforts are needed to ensure that capitalism is fair and better serves society…
The Six Primary Symptoms of Government Capture
American corporations today are like the great European monarchies of yore: They have the power to control the rules under which they function and to direct the allocation of public resources. This is not a prediction of what’s to come; this is a simple statement of the present state…
Let Us Buy Elections
Mark Magee’s Citizen United cartoon from 2009. Strikes a chord in this election year…
Citizens United opposition at the local level
Two news items in the Portland Press Herald, our local newspaper in southern Maine. The Portland City Council has joined the ranks of other local governments to condemn “corporate personhood” and encourage our congressional delegates to support a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision. It’s interesting to…
Ignoring corporate governance is not an option for managers
Baruch Lev is a world class thinker on accountancy and corporate operational matters. I have long admired his work and am very much taken with his new book. Writing from the view of corporate management, he recognizes the legitimacy of corporate governance efforts and believes in the essential role…
Democracy works when citizens are involved
Our system of government requires citizen involvement in order to work and unfortunately, this is where things have broken down. As citizens – and as owners or consumers, voters, constituents, etc. – we have ignored our responsibilities. We’ve left it to others to “represent” us and in doing that…
Revolving Door between Congress and K Street
A great chart came out late last year showing retired members of Congress and their new jobs on K Street (lobbying and government affairs). The accompanying article, “Former members of Congress always welcome on K Street,” reports that one lobbying firm, Advantage Associates International, “…markets itself as a collaboration…
