Virtues of business vs. Non-profits

I hope that this financial crisis will lay to rest the arguments that constantly swirl around that if the non-profit sector and public sector functioned like business we would all be better off. I have some names to mention in response: Enron, Worldcom, Leahman Brothers, S&NL's and the list could go on. There are a number of companies in serious trouble right now and we will all be affected by their greed and arrogance.

Wonderful quote this week from one of the founders of the United States (Thomas Jefferson if I remember correctly). He said that if men were angels, we would not need rules to protect us but since they are not angels rules are needed. Unfortunately, leaders have ignored the possibility of corruption and greed and relaxed rules and laws.

Earlier this week, an American politician commented that one of the problems that helped cause the incredible financial crisis is that people can no longer afford to buy decent housing. The jobs that average person has does not provide the income necessary to purchase housing. Maybe, now politicians and economists will stop praising companies like Walmart which has become an economic behemoth praised by too many for its low prices while it pays its employees minimum wages and rarely offers a 40 hour work week. It is not possible to buy housing under these conditions. Walmart despite the fact it asks people to support America purchases most of its products off shore. It is time to examine what companies are doing the real impact that their policies have on the economies of the world and individual companies.

I can honestly say that it is rare for non-profits and public sector organizations to treat their employees and others in such a cavalier fashion and cause such chaos.