Do you believe BushCo's open contempt for the Constitution and the ...

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

...rule of law has spilled over to a noticeable degree into the private business sector? In other words, does the business world, based on your own experience of the last few years, seem noticeably more predatory and less honest/ethical than during pre BushCo years?

And secondly, do you expect the ethical practices of the private business sector to become still worse in coming years?

[bryant69]

1. I think that's facile

Akin to the theory that Clinton getting a blowjob inspired corporations to get more corrupt. I think that the Bush Administration has certainly made the climate work, but not noticably by example. The history of business in America shows us that Corporations don't need any encouragement to be nasty, dishonest, and unethical (and, for the record, I am pro capitalism (Pro regulated capitalism to be sure)).

Where the Bush administration has hurt us is in the lack of regulation; i.e. the checks and balances in our economic system that are there to protect us from unethical and immoral businesses.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

2. I think BushCo has, by example, set a tone...

...that has affected the mindset, perhaps at a subconscious level, of many in the private business sector for the worse.

I try to be much more careful now in the way I do business, I think we all should.

[bryant69]

11. I don't agree - I think the corruption was already there

I do think it's wise to be careful in business dealings

Bryant

[Rosemary2205]

3. Corporate scumbaggery started LONG before Bush Inc.

The whole reason FDR and the rise of unions were successful was because of previous corporate scumbaggery.

Right after the American revolution -- back when wealth was land - widows of patriots had their land stolen from them by wealthy men who sat out the war. All it took was claiming the dead patriot was actually a traitor and producing 2 witnesses in court (which were paid handsomely).

I suspect scumbaggery is as old as humans.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

8. I'm not suggesting that corporations...

...were behaving like choir boys prior to BushCo, only asking whether BushCo has had a noticeable negative effect on their ethical behavior based on one's own experience of recent years.

I happen to think so.

[Rosemary2205]

10. No doubt in my mind

Bushco has made scumbaggery something to be bragged about right out in the open rather than something to hide in the closet.

[mmonk]

4. The constitution is toast.

Nothing is being restored, radicals are on the court, and of course, it's not being defended. We have an uncertain destiny.

[defendandprotect]

5. When we didn't PROTEST the Supreme Court putting him in office . . .

nor the fascist GOP rally at Miami-Dade Election HQs to stop the vote counting . . .

it was a signal that they could do any damned thing they please --

and they are still doing it --

Another 18 months of this???????????

Wear ORANGE on your clothing for IMPEACHMENT . . .
*************************************************

[VP505]

6. I think that Bu$h

and the private business sector are applying a principal and an attitude that's been part of law enforcement for a long time, its not something new, but something not usually done or seen by a President until he (Bu$h) was appointed. What I am talking about is the notion that they can do anything until some court or other entity with authority over them tells then they can't do that. The only thing is Bu$h has taken it one step further by not recognizing or refusing to recognize that someone, (congress and or we the people) have some authority over his office, even if only by our vote or Congress impeaching.

[DangerDave921]

7. No and No

Business is business. There have always been unscrupulous business leaders. Just a fact of the world.

I think as more light comes to Enron and Worldcom, we will see LESS corruption.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

9. Yes, I agree there have always been unscrupulous...

...people doing business in the private sector, I'm not suggesting otherwise. I'm only asking if BushCo's being so openly contemptuous of the rule of law has had the effect of making unethical practices even more common and widespread.

I think BushCo has had this effect on the private sector.

BTW, welcome to DU.

[BlooInBloo]

12. Maybe they're less guarded about it. But I don't think the rate of worsening of it has increased.

[kenny blankenship]

13. I think you have it reversed

Capitalisms' intrinsic amorality and complacency with corruption has spilled over into middle class values, allowing and culminating in the ascension of Bushler.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

14. While I agree...

...that Capitalism as practiced here has over time had a bad corrupting influence on our collective values, and also that this probably has contributed to Chimpy's rise to power, I don't think this is rightly characterized as the reverse of my poll question.

The reverse of my poll question would be: Do you think the open contempt for the rule of law shown by the private business sector has had a noticeable negative effect on the ethical practices of BushCo? -- and the answer to this I would think is no.

[Golden Raisin]

15. I think its the opposite.

The poisonous, hardball ethos of the bigtime Corporate Board Room has been moved lock, stock and barrel into the Oval Office. No other administration in my lifetime (Truman was President when I was born) has been run so like the top, senior echelon of a major, international corporation --- where the CEO is Lord and Master --- dispenser of jobs, bonuses, titles, stock options, etc. Loyalty to the CEO is paramount. Loyalty to the Corporation trumps morals and ethics. If, for the benefit of the Corporation, you have to fall on your sword (Libby) you will be "taken care of." Rules can always be broken, twisted, changed and ignored for the chosen few elite, while regular employees get screwed.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

18. I don't disagree with the content...

...of your post, but the opposite situation of the OP would be BushCo's ethical behavior being influenced for the worse by the disregard for the rule of law exhibited by the private business sector over the period of Chimpy's illegitimate reign.

What you describe sounds very much like fascism and, I think, is very much what we've got in this country now.

[Jed Dilligan]

16. I think the nod-and-wink factor is real,

and applies particularly to racists, gay-bashers, and white-collar criminals.

[rucky]

17. I was reading some WSJ message boards this morning.

there is absolutely zero support for this Prez.

Wall Street Journal message board, folks.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

19. Zero popular support for a well entrenched...

...illegitimate, fascist regime only makes them all the more desperate and dangerous.

Bad times ahead I'm afraid.

Note: It's 9:00pm (Fri) here in the Dallas-Ft Worth area and PBS is showing Moyers journal on impeachment, for anyone who's interested.