Should the U.S. put a lien on BP's quarterly dividends?

I suppose it's unfortunate that I'm not perceptive enough to decipher that from your post.

I guess I'm not perceptive enough to understand the reasoning here. Isn't "approval of your government" kinda like a permit. Please excuse this country boy's limited perception in seeing these two terms as synonymous.

Our economic system is Capitalist, so, the primary objective is making capital, not all that environmental stuff that turns no profit.

Not really. The Government's job was to promote profit. Over the past two decades the conservatives in this country have seen fit to loosen the regulations as a means of increasing corporate revenues. Our government is, at any given time, a reflection of the majority vote in our elections. The ultimate responsibility tracks back to the ballot box.

That wasn't the question.

What!!!!!!!!! You made it an issue. Your statement: "There have been excellent suggestions in this thread about what happens now and after the well is capped again and what can be done to clean up and rebuild. Those should be the focus, not shareholders dividends"

I couldn't care less if someone wants to make off topic comments, but you were chastising me for discussing the topic at hand.

I guess we have different values, I think that calling someone arrogant is rude. I have no problem with the term, or someone being rude to a point, but it is relevant to my response.

I'm not easily offended, but I often respond in kind.

Simple questions are not my forte. Those should have been asked and answered in high school.

Actually, your answers are fine with me. Disagreement promotes thought. I do agree with much of what you say, also.

It can, however, have a deterring effect. If investors consider the moral values of a corporation, Boards of Directors and CEOs will be forced to adjust their business ventures accordingly.

Consumers, en masse, actually determine the direction of any business. A purchase from, or investment in, a corporation is a tacit approval of their business practices.

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They are actually, they are the owners, they elect the board of directors which appoints management.

 

You are correct. Even my neighborhood non-profit is required to have annual meetings in order for the stock holders to vote for the members of the board of directors. And, if it's sued, I would be required to pay my share of the judgment or have my property assessed.

Evidently I'm not the only one who came up with this idea to withhold dividends, and the English are screaming about it. Seems that it's fashionable for retirees in England to buy BP stock. President Obama is between a rock and a hard place on this one now, with Americans wanting BP castrated and the English saying he's xenophobic because of his latest "angry" remarks.

Seeing how BP is notorious for violations, the stock holders could, at any time, have demanded accountability. And they don't even have to go to the meeting to vote, they can send a proxy.

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This morning I heard that the President is floating an idea I can get behind, an escrow account for BP to deposit an estimated amount for restitution to those affected by their Oil spill and cleanup. This would satisfy my concerns that they will not follow through once they have finished fixing the well.

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I have to say, I really like Tony Hayward.