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Amazon illustrates why we need Medicare for All and other programs to protect the economics, dignity, and wellbeing of the people. Otherwise, we are at the whims, greed, and selfish interests of corporations, their executives, and shareholders which always supersede that of the people, and the employees in particular.
In August, Jeff Bezos signed a letter committing to invest in employees. Here is that statement.
Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation
Americans deserve an economy that allows each person to succeed through hard work and creativity and to lead a life of meaning and dignity. We believe the free-market system is the best means of generating good jobs, a strong and sustainable economy, innovation, a healthy environment and economic opportunity for all.
Businesses play a vital role in the economy by creating jobs, fostering innovation and providing essential goods and services. Businesses make and sell consumer products; manufacture equipment and vehicles; support the national defense; grow and produce food; provide health care; generate and deliver energy; and offer financial, communications and other services that underpin economic growth.
While each of our individual companies serves its own corporate purpose, we share a fundamental commitment to all of our stakeholders. We commit to:
- Delivering value to our customers. We will further the tradition of American companies leading the way in meeting or exceeding customer expectations.
- Investing in our employees. This starts with compensating them fairly and providing important benefits. It also includes supporting them through training and education that help develop new skills for a rapidly changing world. We foster diversity and inclusion, dignity and respect.
- Dealing fairly and ethically with our suppliers. We are dedicated to serving as good partners to the other companies, large and small, that help us meet our missions.
- Supporting the communities in which we work. We respect the people in our communities and protect the environment by embracing sustainable practices across our businesses.
- Generating long-term value for shareholders, who provide the capital that allows companies to invest, grow and innovate. We are committed to transparency and effective engagement with shareholders.
Each of our stakeholders is essential. We commit to deliver value to all of them, for the future success of our companies, our communities and our country.
Now, completely disregard it. It is nothing but a marketing ploy. One of the largest corporations in the world has already announced it is going against the tenets above.
In September, one of Bezos’ companies cut healthcare for hundreds of workers at Amazon-owned Whole Foods.
Whole Foods healthcare move shows Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos promises are hollow – Business Insider
The Whole Foods decision is not just hypocritical of Bezos, but also proves why workers should never put too much trust in kind words from CEOs and instead push for lasting changes to uphold their interests and those of their coworkers. …
Amazon contends that some of these employees will move to full-time hours and the change will “create a more equitable and efficient scheduling model.” But some employees may not be able to add hours and will be forced to look for more expensive coverage or a new job with benefits. The bottom line is that employees who had health coverage in their current role no longer have those benefits.
The move was roundly criticized online, with commentators pointing out that not only is Amazon one of the most valuable companies in the world, but that Bezos himself is the wealthiest man on Earth.
The Whole Foods move shows that for all the good intentions or press releases about taking care of employees, companies are ultimately worried about their bottom line and what’s best for the corporation — even if that runs roughshod over employees’ needs.
Source: Whole Foods healthcare move shows Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos promises are hollow – Business Insider
The reason government must act, we-the-people, is that corporate interests are generally based on a few very greedy people who have no concept of the nation’s social wellbeing. As such, it is incumbent on us all to create the laws under which they operate to ensure people first, humanity first.
This means ensuring a social construct that enforces basic human needs, healthcare with Medicare for All, a system detached from the whims of the employer, a Green New Deal that ensures short term thinking by corporations do not destroy the planet for most, and the mitigation of the pilfer effected by bankers on our students. We must frame the debate so Americans can make the right choices.
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