The Pope ... share your thoughts.

[rkim291968]

I would guess that his message is more against consumerism and single-minded acquisition of wealth / power / success as the 'new religion' leading to a lack of moral center in a culture. I would think he'd see Buffett / Gates foundation work as positive models of how to both pursue wealth and do some good.

This is how I interpreted his message.   Having worked for a megacorp all my life, the business practices I've seen are darn right shameful.   It is all about accumulating profit at all cost so that the next earning's report is well received by stock market.  That's capitalism at its worst (or best, depending on where one sits).  

[Mr. Desmond]

I guess you are a climate change skeptic. 

Sometimes capitalism requires even assertive bordering on rough regulation when markets are severely imbalanced or there are very bad / irresponsible actors mucking about <financial crisis>

To me he seems like a good man. Thoughtful, humble, and empathetic.

Not a climate change skeptic... you put out that much heat, and it will affect the planet. Look at rising ocean levels, more severe storms. You've have to put your head in the sand not to believe in some climate change. And there are too many that blindly put their head in the sand. And if you err, typically even conservatives err on the side of caution, except when it comes to siding against efficient business.

As to the financial crisis, when regulation is not funded, as it was not with Bush, and you pack those boards with industry friends, and special interests put loopholes in legislation, you're not going to have effective regulation. The people who are governing are at fault, and the responsibility falls on the electorate, who are not sufficiently active.

The Pope is conservative yet open, and has a better message than previous Popes.

Edited October 13, 2015 by Mr. Desmond

[natureboy]

This is how I interpreted his message.   Having worked for a megacorp all my life, the business practices I've seen are darn right shameful.   It is all about accumulating profit at all cost so that the next earning's report is well received by stock market.  That's capitalism at its worst (or best, depending on where one sits).  

Hopefully 'responsible' and 'sustainable' investing trends will lead some corporations and their cultures to more wholistic outlooks, which I think can be better for shareholders who are invested for the long haul. If they prove successful it may spread as the 'smart' model as well as the 'right' model. Rewarding top executives and board members with relatively short-term stock options may help maintain the current stock price, but I think can also be a myopic fixation that undervalues long-term investment and firm health versus accounting gimmicks. 

Not a climate change skeptic... you put out that much heat, and it will affect the planet. Look at rising ocean levels, more severe storms. You've have to put your head in the sand not to believe in some climate change. And there are too many that blindly put their head in the sand. And if you err, typically even conservatives err on the side of caution, except when it comes to siding against efficient business.

As to the financial crisis, when regulation is not funded, as it was not with Bush, and you pack those boards with industry friends, and special interests put loopholes in legislation, you're not going to have effective regulation. The people who are governing are at fault, and the responsibility falls on the electorate, who are not sufficiently active.

The Pope is conservative yet open, and has a better message than previous Popes.

Sorry, I misunderstood your emoticon.

Edited October 13, 2015 by natureboy