[BigV]

well stated Spexxvet. that's exactly the crucial point. corporations have lots of attributes, humanity not being among them, but one of their core functions is to privatize rewards/profits and socialize risks/costs. let's face it, stuff is gonna happen. that stuff might be good, oil flows, money flows, etc. good stuff is channeled to the corporation. there might some good stuff that happens that will go to the public, though in this example I can't really think of anything. jobs don't count, a job is an expense the company incurs to make more money more easily. now I benefit from a job, but it's not just an objectively good thing. witness the lust for automation and self service that permeates, just saturates our culture; there are self service options everywhere, the grocery store, the gas station (when was the last time you had someone pump your gas for you? let me guess, when you were in New Jersey or in Oregon, right? me too.), even stupid Applebee's has a touch-screen-card-swiping-order-taking-payment-accepting tablet doodad right on the table? I digress. Jobs don't count as good things for everyone. corporations would get that task done without creating a job if they could find a way to do so. in most cases, having a person do the job is just the least costly way to get that done.

but the costs and risks are shunted away from the corporation to the greatest extent possible. cops patrol the streets keeping order around the refinery? but not paid with revenues by the entity enjoying that protection. cleanup crews kept on standby? not paid for by corporations. etc, etc.

we all understand this, and I'm ok with the basic structure. capitalism is good. but the importance of balance is often overlooked. when the balance is too far in either direction, it's bad for the ones holding the crappy end of the stick.