Citizen Power, by Mike Gravel: on Corporations

Purpose of economy is to meet people's needs, not business

It is all too easy to forget the fundamental purpose of an economic system; it is to satisfy the material needs of the people. It is not to "play for real" an elaborate game of Monopoly where the object is to own all property and impoverish all other "players." From society's point of view the object is to produce an adequate amount of things people need at an accept level of quality, at prices they can afford, and with the widest possible availability and minimum environmental degradation.

Measured against these tests, the US economy scores high on only one point--it produces a lot. On grounds other than straight production, our economy is seriously out of whack with the needs of the people.

The government decision-making community, which is supposed to look out for the interests of the people, has historically been "pro-business-corporation." As a result the entire system is badly skewed against the consumer in our laws, our institutions, and our culture.

Source: Citizen Power, by Sen. Mike Gravel, p.119-121 Jan 1, 1972

The above quotations are from Citizen Power A People's Platform, by Mike Gravel (published 1972). Click here for definitions & background information on Corporations. Click here for more quotes by Mike Gravel on Corporations.
*2008 Presidential contenders on Corporations:*
*Republicans:* Chmn.John Cox Mayor Rudy Giuliani Gov.Mike Huckabee Rep.Duncan Hunter Sen.John McCain Rep.Ron Paul Gov.Mitt Romney Sen.Fred Thompson	*Democrats:* Sen.Hillary Clinton Sen.John Edwards Sen.Mike Gravel Rep.Dennis Kucinich Sen.Barack Obama	*Third Parties:* Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney Socialist: Brian Moore Independent: Mayor Mike Bloomberg
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