Bob Foster posted this video on his Biz Maverick Blog and I absolutely love it! (Thank you, Bob!) It highlights the entrepreneurial spirit that makes this country great while exposing the hypocrisy of big business and big government. When recycling cans began when I was a kid, I wondered about this. But I thought it was pretty cool because I made a little change.
Watching the video, I couldn't help but to ask those who are always hollering about the intrusion of government in business, as if big government and big business have not been in bed since the beginning of our union, to check out the hypocrisy that exists in that ideology. The partnership isn't all bad by any means, as it is how our highway and railroad systems were built. But there must be room for the little guy too. Small business builds community and innovation starts in small groups. Free markets begin there.
The propietor featured here, John Nese of Glaco Soda Pop Stop, is totally inspirational! I was way happy that he mentioned Faygo, a company that has made soda pop in Detroit since 1907. It's among the best sodas ever--by far better than any Coke or Pepsi products. Faygo's creme soda, "Rock and Rye," rocks! Not only do Fayo products taste better, they are 65 cents cheaper.
One of my favorite quotes from he video is:
"Big business loves big government. They just take the market place up, eliminate all the little guys; they run them out out business and then they jack the prices up and control the market place. When you look at the candy market it's Nestle's, Hersey's and Mars. Or, you look at the soda pop market it's Coke and Pepsi."
In this sense, do we have free markets?
6 comments:
Wonderful video! Loved the presentation and learning about the products. Thanks Judith
Linda
Linda - I thought it was pretty awesome!
Hi Judith,
You are always presenting thought provoking questions and subjects. Free market is certainly an interesting concept. I think they are interconnected and more should be done for little businesses. But if the everyday consumer supported their local businesses, I think it would change the economic landscape. Consumers can make and break a company with their wallets.
Hi Lovely Poet - Free markets are not always free so it seems. I agree with you on the support of small businesses, shopping within our own communities and the power of consumers. But this power must be used collectively for it to have an impact.
It's always good to have you here and to read your thoughts. I haven't been to your blog in a little while. Heading over now. I love your poetry. It's fresh and thoughtful. Beautiful lines.
Judith - Thank you for the mention; it is always appreciated. What would America become without the small business person? 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses have fewer than 500 employees, and they are the ones that make our country work.
Sadly, even in light of this number, our government is not the friend of small business. The few big companies with huge campaign contributions are the ones that call the shots. Very sad indeed.
I thought it was interesting that consumers could buy Coke and Pepsi cheaper at Ralph's than John could buy them wholesale. Free market?--not by a mile.
Thanks for this post Judith.
Thanks, Bob, for your support of small business. I pop into your blog often for the information there and the encouragement you give.
Your comment about campaign finance is truly the reason I was alarmed that the conservataive Supreme Court will hear arguments that could allow big business to contribute to campaigns even more.
I am saddened by Labor Day this year, considering that some 14.9 million Americans are out of work. Many small businesses have gone under.
Free markets are most certainly not free.
Thanks again for your support.
Post a Comment