Options Trading Tutorial

What American company do you admire most?

We've seen so much duplicity, cheating, and disgusting behavior by corporate America, I think it's time to reflect on which companies are good and are doing the right thing for consumers, shareholders, and employees... These past few months have made people question American capitalism at its roots and whether any companies act fairly and responsibly. What company (s) do you think is the most honest, able, and has a bright economic future? Criteria could include: 1. Do not leverage their books by insane margins and load their balance sheet with debt. 2. Do not let their executives binge on stock options. 3. Pay their employees fairly 4. Treat their shareholders with respect 5. Pay their taxes and don't go racing to take their jobs offshore. 6. Don't come asking uncle sam for a handout, but are self-sufficient and even conservative in capital allocation. My one and only pick: Berkshire Hathaway. The rest of American business in my view has totally betrayed the American public. BTW: I do not mean small business with hard working middle class people, but Fortune 500 corporations, and businesses with over 100M+ in assets/market cap. TinglyTrigger, Tell that to 90% of American shareholders who have not been given any of the returns of the businesses they own. They have no vote on executive compensation.

Public Comments

1. I am going to have to go with Microsoft. Not that I am a fan, but about 1/3rd of all their profits go to charity. Bill Gates retired so that he could run the charity. They helped Dell develop a computer that runs without electricity (by crank) and connects to satellite, so that even people out in the middle of nowhere can connect to the internet. They have donated major money to finding a cure for AIDS and cancer... 'Nuff said.
2. LL Bean.
3. American business does not answer to the American public. American business only answers to the stockholders. Free enterprise pal.
4. I have to also say Microsoft. See article below on 5 things Microsoft got right. My criteria may be different than yours....
5. Coca-Cola
6. 3M- because I have a need for products made by them everyday. They produce high quality materials that people use everyday. They will not be standing in line for handouts, no recalls, very low customer complaints. Always been a solid performer.
7. Microsoft or Honeywell
8. American companies/corporations lobby for more power, you'd think they really care about us? They are running to expand their businesses overseas, and the government is doing wrong by putting corporations over the People!
9. my own