why should big box companies not give back to thier communities?
144628
In a capitalist free-market society, the company's only responsibility is to produce results for their shareholders.\n\nTo do this, however, they must successfully balance their desire for unlimited profits with the consumers' desire not to overpay, and their workforce and suppliers' desires for compensation.\n\nWhen this balance is found, the company has already given back to the community. It has provided a product or service that the consumer wishes to purchase (if it hasn't, it will go out of business), and it has provided wages to workers in the community (if these workers don't find the wages acceptable, they will refuse to work).\n\nNow, don't get me wrong, I'm all for giving to the community, and I've been known to do so myself. But people need to understand that role of Home Depot is not to hand out good deeds as an apology for its existence, but rather to negotiate its position in the economy (or out of existence, if the market forces make such a determination).
544781
State grants. Neighbors. Ask businesses to donate. They love that! Makes them feel they are part of their customers lives and that is so very important to them, as that is where their money is. In the pockets of the people who will be using the donations and that gets them more business and respect as well as do not forget to send each business a thankyou card on behalf of the community for their help.
800274
Why not? There is no law against it as long as people know what they are giving money for.
884531
It's a bad idea.  Yet it makes a great point in alerting the public to a corporate structure that seems to be taking over every country it can gain access to.  Perhaps Wal-mart is owned by the government & they just want it to look like a private enterprise?  Things that make ya go hmmm!  :o)
35963
Not all private companies/franchises effect the community tax base the way a stadium can. The more revenue a stadium collects, the more tax dollars are collected. The more businesses that pop up AROUND the stadium, the more tax dollars are collected. \n\nI believe they should be jointly funded. While ABC Co. may offer a few jobs downtown that people can apply for, new stadiums tend to draw in other businesses as well as create new jobs. Because of "incentives" like property tax breaks or personal property tax breaks for XXX amount of years, it is unfair to give the stadiums or teams a free ride. Because any town would want to increase their potential revenue futures, they need to be willing to give a little to get a lot back. :-) \n\nI'm always curious about who is responsible for the bill once a stadium is torn down... they never seem to tear them down and put them up in the same place again...
239263
It's called "NIMBY" Syndrome - Not In My Back Yard.\nPeople want all the advantages and comforts of a technological, industrialized world, but are unwilling to put up with anything that even impedes their view!\nThat's a big part of the reason why heavy industry is moving from the West to Southeast Asia.
381248
There are a multitude of reasons why an organization would become involved in philanthropic works and the vast majority have to do with the bottom line.  \n\nPromotional benefits are enormous and can be particularly effective when good deeds are used to produce an attractive or clean image when the reality is not so pretty.  BP isn't running all those "here's all the good we do because we love the earth too" ads because a bunch of green peace folks just got voted to the board.  They are an oil company and the thing people hate about oil companies is what their product does to the environment in virtually every step of the products lifecycle.  That image is best erased with a campaign heavily focused on a clean, safe, cared for environment. \n\nTax consequences are a major consideration whether its done by way of contribution of goods, services or funds donated.  Employees who contribute time to outside organizations cost the company nothing, generate tax benefits and can actually be credited with generating direct revenues via goodwill that would not have otherwise come in.\n\nEvery now and then you come across a Dave Thomas but the reason he was recognized for his charitable works was because of his genuine heartfelt concern which is rare from my experience.
872311
Because its not your money.  They believe the money belongs to whoever, "needs it", and not to the person that earned it.  They only way they can make sure it is distributed to their supporters to to first take it away from the people that actually earned it.
975342
Very mixed feelings here...certainly there are some socio-economic considerations involving any Walmart store, but do we really want to empower government to the point that it can decide where people should conveniently shop in their community?\n\nOverall I guess I would likely oppose any ban on free enterprise and so I would oppose the San Diego city council decision...\n\nJust a thought...
22839
They are doing that in many smaller communities.  Just imagine you owned the local grocery store and are making a good living.  Walmart comes into town, you are out of business.  You will never be able to get the wholesale prices that they get or sell the different products that they are able to.\n\nThey are lowering income levels of the entire community when they move in.  That is according to their own study.\n\nAnother issue with Walmart is how they deal with suppliers.  If you had a farm and sold your produce to Walmart, they will say we need a 20% discount from you.  And if they are you only customer, what do you do?\n\nThey are hard on the community (store owners) they move in and the suppliers.
805934
The World Bank and IMF lends developing counties money on the condition the sell their commons (oil fields, water rights, power structure). Most of the corporations that buy them up are multi-national, so the nation losses the profits and taxes from the commons. This in turn drives the nation deeper in debt.
454755
As long as there are conflicting interest between individual impulses and the overall needs of the community, there will be laws. Laws set boundaries so that people can interact positively, causing minimum damage to each other. Whether it's following traffic laws (e.g. who gets to go first, where each car can drive in what direction, etc. to avoid accidents) to international trade (how much different currencies are worth, how much has to be paid for items, etc.), it is all about creating a benefit for the overall community so that we all can have better lives.
1082877
I totally agree, and there are many ways to help others. Hiring a new employee is one way. Good people give it back the other way.
882211
I must admit this has puzzled me greatly over the years. Seems we give and give when countries suffer natural or man-made disasters only to have them turn around and spit in our face. Doesn't seem right.  That's why I choose to only donate to the local rescue mission. It helps men and women who have made wrong choices in their lives get back on their feet. I don't mean to be insensitive to the terrible tragedies that befall the rest of the world, but maybe we should concentrate on helping in our own backyard more often.
565146
Because life as we know it is over for the "little guy" Coorporations dictate how, when, where and at how much we buy. Coorporations even try to make laws that revolve around their profitable interests.  Besides America is a young country so it lacks historical flair. The only hope we have for a more interesting america is by supporting your local "small" business owner, and boycotting the giants you've just mentioned.
200095
Everyone tends to get into your business.\n\nLarge families also are generally poorer than smaller ones because sprogs are a tremendous sucking drain on the wallet. The lack of funds is detrimental to health care and education in that family.
581264
If I need a pair of shoes, and I couldn't get any because the factory that makes them had to close down, that would be a bummer! \n  Ok, that sounds selfish, but think of it this way. Any time a factory has to close down, an employee is out of work, we can't get the products we need, etc.\n  It is a good idea in theory, but in reality as we know it, it some flaws. It would probably be better to try and develop cleaner methods of running these factories.