Reply to Discussions Week 7
Reply 1
It is very reasonable for Thomas to be shocked and exhausted after reading chapter 14 of Rothe and Kauzlarich’s book of 2016. The fact that the list of corporate offenders was so long is worrying. I understand how Thomas must feel that his family purchases their products from most of the worst corporate offenders. I agree that it can be frustrating and surprising to know that one owns stock in those companies apart from being their customer. The fact that he came up with the conclusion that nothing can be done is alarming. That instilled some fear in me too because it is true that because nothing can be done, these types of crimes are witnessed every day. We will indeed live to see and hear of this evil, and we cannot fail to be involved or fail to be part of them unless we force ourselves to exit modern society and live off-grid. As Thomas argues, the extent to which these companies have grown and blended into our lives makes it very difficult for any person to make any significant change. It is very wise for their family to change their shopping place to ALDI, where most of the top offenders are not sold. As Rothe and Kauzlarich argued, it is true that since Thomas owns stocks in one of these companies, he is a part-owner of these top offenders. I agree that the best solution to the powerful crimes is about having respect for one another and putting others’ needs before our ego, pride, and need to make profits (Rothe & Kauzlarich,2016).
Reply 2
I think that one should be worried about their privacy when using a smartphone. What Virginia does is practically what most people do. They do not protect their privacy to the extend they should, especially now that people access everything online since anything they need is accessible. It is very risky when we think about it; for instance, when purchasing an item, most sellers require one to include all their information, including personal details, when filling out documents online. It is reasonable to say that it has been easy for people to commit crimes online since most appointments have been online. She is right to think the state has all her details, all her information is on her phone, and they have access to anything on it even without her knowledge. I agree with Virginia on her argument about whether people would still be in business with Walmart if they knew about their legal issues. No one would love to do business or even have anything to do with a company with legal issues. There is a problem since almost everyone is involved in crimes of power either directly or indirectly. In my opinion, I agree that as a society, what we can do to avoid getting involved in these crimes is to educate ourselves on the things we buy and the activities we engage in every day. Indeed, we should ensure that we do not assist these companies or give them tools to help them. As Virginia suggests, discussing these white-collar crimes and coming up with solutions is not easy since the people who commit the crimes control the laws and have the most power.
Reply 3
White-collar crimes are what we refer to as the crimes of power, and they are implemented in different ways in our everyday lives. Every person is involved in these crimes though everyone in their way. As Rothe and Kauzlarich argue, we must realize the role we play in our economy, as consumers, in powerful crimes. There is indeed no controlling law, and there is a problem in how people use power. I agree that some people are the ones who commit the crime while others are victims of the crime by purchasing their items. In a way, we encourage our persecution by facilitating the companies and vailing tools that will eventually help the systems that authorize potent crimes. Surprisingly, big corporations such as Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, Kraft, and even Maybelline continue to commit white-collar crimes. We do nothing as a society to stop this from happening. Not even a single person is giving close and thoughtful attention to this issue is worrying. These are massive companies that are believed to be very influential in our society, and the fact that they are on the front line of companies committing these crimes is an issue that needs to be addressed. I agree with Alexandra that, as a society, we should be more informed of what these companies are involved in before we choose to support their businesses.
Reply 4
The example Kevin describes is a perfect illustration of white-collar crime. The crime is performed by both the company in question and the people who purchase from it who become victims by supporting it. Walmart commits a white-collar crime when they open their business in a town, which causes an extreme disagreement among the people of that town. The people are torn between the sales and savings Walmart offers and its effects on the town. It is unfortunate when a corporate entity forces the small businesses in the town out of business, and the owners begin to work in Walmart that closed their business doors. The people though victims, help Walmart in committing the crime by supporting them to grow so large.
I agree with him that the people in a society are the heart of these white-collar crimes. As consumers, we support these corporate entities until they grow; hence, they continue with their actions. Indeed, any business strives to make more profits and grow to be a monopoly. If we are informed about our earnings and purchases and make decisions about both wisely, we can ensure that we do not support companies we are not sure with. I think it is reasonable to say that we should not be held responsible for their actions as much as we keep these corporations. Any corporation that commits these crimes should be held responsible since we are not wrong because we do not know their business practices. In my opinion, I do not support all crimes of the powerful.
Reply 5
I agree that privacy in life is essential. Technology advancement is a significant threat to private information; recent movies have shown how big data are collected and used. Some companies, e.g., Google, collect data with or without someone’s consent, and other cooperates sharing the information you have provided to them. Technology comes with a disadvantage side of it to us by limiting us to the information. Our private information can only be prevented by us, limiting ourselves with the number of data we display, mostly in social media. When installing an application, we are advised to be reading the terms and conditions that come with it at any given point to get to know how well is your information protected. Companies have been violating human rights through subjecting children and slaves into labor to increase production, even after being accused and evidence produced. Consumers hardly get to know what happens apart from their purchase; these companies minimize the cost of the good and maximize profit. This shows how people still violate the human right and manage to get away with it. This information can also show how people have contributed to the development of the economy. Abuse of children and slavery to force labor is an exploitation that is considered as a state-corporate crime. There is a need in society to light the structural nature of the ongoing human rights violation.
REFERENCES