Spread the wealth

[emayer]

Everyone has stated it well including Vonnegut that the root of all this is greed.

Greed is not limited to CEOs alone.  Keep in mind that the pressures placed on companies to post (fabricate in some cases) gains is in part due to the greed of employees and shareholders trying to feed their coffers as well.  This takes me full circle to the free market principle:  you ultimately get what you paid for.  Case in point- all those who invested hand over fist in the dot.com companies fully knowing their P/E values and earnings were out of line with share prices.

Maybe it is our mindset as investors and shareholders that needs changing.  Want a good investment?  Maybe follow Buffet's lead and invest in sound companies with long-term earning potential and be prepared to sit tight.  Do your homework regarding the leadership.  Stop looking for the quick kill which is feeding this frenzy on Wall St. or be prepared to take a loss.  Don't blame someone else when this inevitably happens.

Heller may be right that he is comfortable with his station, but don't discount the fact that the desire for wealth, power, prestige, honor, etc. can be a postive influence on people to achieve meaningful benefits for society.