American's have grown to accept a soulless work environment. Working in a competitive corporation forces too many American men and women to look at themselves as commodities, labor, workers, producers - but not whole people. I have seen this most vividly by watching my partner and listening to his stories about working at Qwest Communications. That company, and so many others, has no regard for the human beings that work below the upper echelon of management.

Individuals are treated like pawns. Periodically, whole segments of the company are laid off, reshuffled, and rehired - all to please a new vice president with a unique style and singular vision. It would not be so bad if that sort of re-tooling were infrequent. But it happens all too frequently. Six months later, the CEO sends in a new VP with in instructions to shake things up once again. The VP wreaks havoc - firing some, laying off others, and forcing more to reapply for their jobs. The division and its personnel never have a chance to settle, feel secure, and gain momentum. The people are seen as cogs in a machine. And the machine must be taken apart and rebuilt twice a year. The problem is - the machine doesn't need a rebuild. 

Furthermore, the upper management at most large American corporations receive compensation which would make an average person gag. Falling wages and benefits among common workers do not run parallel with the rising bonuses and salaries of a corporate CEO. In fact, a CEO today can count on being rewarded financially no matter how poorly the company performs. Constant "restructuring" results in reduced productivity, reduced loyalty, and greater instability for all. But that doesn't matter, because the CEO will be rewarded by stock holders and the board come bonus time.

Just the perception that all the sound and fury is a sign of positive change is enough to raise the stock price, even if profits are flat. A rising stock price is key to a bonus worth millions of dollars. Ask Joe Nachio. He received hefty bonuses at Qwest when the stock price climbed into the stratosphere. Of course, everyone soon found out the upper management had committed fraud as a part of their reorganization. Now the company is practically worthless. And most of these CEOs are more than happy to use their wealth to prop up our corrupt and immoral Republican President and Congress.

Beware the American Corporation. It will take your money, destroy your soul, and somewhere someone will be rewarded for doing so.