The Coronavirus

[pbrower2a]

(04-05-2020, 01:27 PM)Warren Dew Wrote:

(04-05-2020, 03:26 AM)Arkarch Wrote: Just the start of an observation

Are some of our modern day "Captains of Industry" Billionaire-heads-of-corps making a play during this coronavirus crisis?   I point to two examples - One being Sheldon Adelson, owner of Las Vegas Sands Corp, who notably is protecting the income of his current employees and even the incomes of third-party employers/employees on his properties (news link below).  Another Industry Captain (I will hold name in reserve as I am an employee) is also protecting and keeping employees busy.  The advantage of such action is those companies are all using this time to work on projects and be ahead of the action when business resumes.   This is in contrast to the more stockholder-driven corps that are following the usual furlough and layoff model; and may not be able to respond as well when business resumes.   This maps to a repeating cycle that maps to the post-Civil War Captains of Industry as our institutions.  Any other Billionaire-run corps keeping their workforce up?

https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/busines...orkers-du/

Thanks - good observation.  If this is the start of large private corporations destroying public corporations, that could be the destruction of the concentration of power that I'd be looking for to resolve the crisis.

Edit:  not seeing how they are using these employees to get a jump on the opposition, other than being in a position to resume operations quickly.  Are you seeing something there - where they could move to take out big restaurant chains or something?

Businesses with deep pockets will be able to have employees ready to go when those businesses restart operations. They can keep skeleton staffs  keep in contact with employees who do light work (perhaps for reduced pay, but if commute costs vanish that might be worth it) and cut back on travel and lodging expenses... and energy use. That of course would not be full compensation for lost revenues. Still, there should be a mini-boom for companies swiftest to go back into business especially if those companies can raise prices at the end. 

How else are these companies to recover? They will have to raise prices to recover losses and raise funds for advertising and operations.

We have just experienced the most pervasive compromise of capitalism in American history by shutting down huge sectors of the American economy without compensation. Sure, in WWII, businesses went from profitable civilian activity to military production even more profitable. 

Whoever can start first will have an overpowering advantage over those who have terminated employees who will of course be tempted to go to competitors. Employers can preserve some good will.