Profit is how fittest survive

The writer who thinks corporations are not people as our Supreme Court has ruled, does not understand the concept of a legal entity. A legal person, or a corporation, can purchase, own and sell property, enter into contracts, earn money, have a bank account and pay taxes. A partnership between two legal persons is no different than a business partnership between two or more companies, or between a company and its employees. We have recognized for centuries that even marriage is partnership with legal obligations.

Profit is not evil. It’s the force that drives the world of business. It provides corporations with the money needed to purchase buildings, equipment and the necessary materials to manufacture products. Earned profit also pays the salaries of the engineers who design a corporation’s products. Profit pays for the expensive research needed to develop new materials and processes required to remain competitive in a worldwide economy. Profit pays the salaries and benefits that workers receive.

Corporations are owned by ordinary people who take on risk by investing their money in company stock. They purchase stock in the hope that investment money will return a profit and keep them ahead of inflation. If the company can’t earn a profit, they have only three choices; They can go out of business, move to a state where tax rates and expenses allow them to earn a profit, or move off shore to a country that is more than delighted to support any business that will provide jobs and provide a transfer of technology.

Assigning corporate greed as the driving force within a company is totally misguided. Corporations, just as legally recognized persons, are driven by the same basic instinct for survival. They both understand that if they don’t survive they must perish. Boeing employees need to think about and understand the business concepts of profit and survival. Failing to do so will produce an unthinkable outcome. Boeing will survive. If not in Washington, Boeing will move to a place where they can build and prosper.

John Branthoover

Arlington

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, Feb. 11

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

Sentencing reforms more complicated than column described

I read Todd Welch’s Jan. 29 column. He is certainly entitled to… Continue reading

President Trump running nation like his failed businesses

We’ve seen it before; President Trump will do or say anything to… Continue reading

Intent of Trump’s nominees is to subvert good government

It is clear that Donald Trump has something specific in mind with… Continue reading

Comment: Musk’s USAID shutdown an attack on most vulnerable

Even promises of ‘waivers’ are falling short and allowing medical efforts to dry up, endangering millions.

Comment: Real dangers loom with Trump’s incoherent trade policy

Even if Trump could settle on a justification for his tariffs, the results could leave the country far. weaker.

bar graph, pie chart and diagrams isolated on white, 3d illustration
Editorial: Don’t let state’s budget numbers intimidate you

With budget discussions starting soon, a new website explains the basics of state’s budget crisis.

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, Feb. 10

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Trump can go only as far as the courts will allow

Most of Trump’s executive orders are likely to face court challenges, setting the limits of presidential power.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.