Five U.S. Businesses That Ought To Be Ashamed Of Themselves

I can't really quibble with this article from AOL Daily Finance, especially since I've taken shots at several of these companies myself:

When a big company gains enough momentum that its direction becomes self-sustaining, its influence can ripple through society with a bevy of positive consequences -- like the creation of jobs, the spread of ideas, and a general improvement in living standards.

But capitalism -- like any other -ism -- is far from a perfect system. Along with a host of American companies that we should view with pride, there are a number that have created situations we think are downright evil. For exploitative behaviors that harm customers, employees, shareholders and the general public, these companies (and one whole industry) have earned their seats on the corporate netherworld's board of shame.

Details are at the link, but here are the shameful five:

5. Walmart

4. Goldman Sachs

3. Cigarette Industry

2. Chesapeake Energy

1. Monsanto

My only quibble is that I would place Nos. 4 and 5 at 1 and 2.


Bonus: A commodity that is in all too short supply these days