Robber barons

“The external glitter of wealth conceals a corrupt political core that reflects the growing gap between very few rich, and the very many poor”-Mark Twain. This quote sums up the political, economic, and social relations between the employer and the employee which were strained, and was often devised to benefit the manufacturer during the Gilded Age. Employers were exploiting worker by providing them low wages, exacerbating unsafe working conditions, and providing inadequate benefits to their…

The government shouldn 't regulate economies because that could interfere with the industrialists ' desire to expand their industries and maximize their profits. Laissez-faire capitalism enables the most superior individuals to apply their skills and rise to the top, for the betterment of mankind. The underlying economic theory of the Social Darwinists is that the freedom that laissez-faire gives business and industry enables it to maximize profits and expand the economy. During the great age…

"Those who benefit the most from prohibition are organized crime barons, who derive an estimated $10 to $50 billion a year from the illegal drug trade. Indeed, the criminal drug laws protect drug traffickers from taxation, regulation and quality control. Those laws also support artificially high prices and assure that…

“The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10, KJV). With over three billion individuals living in poverty, and 50 million being American, there is no question whether or not the world is facing economic crisis. Yet, how can the largest economy in the world, the US, be plagued with such an unequal distribution of wealth? The answer goes back to the deadly sin alluded to by Saint Timothy: greed. Heinous greed perpetrated by the 1%. In fact, according to BBC News, “the top 10 richest…

Good evening and welcome to all the parents, relatives and friends who have made this day possible for the Thornapple Kellogg High School graduating class of 2006. I would also like to thank this year’s graduates for the honor and privilege of speaking at their commencement. To be a part of such an important night in your lives is indeed a very special moment for me. Graduation marks the end of one part of your life and the beginning of unlimited possibilities. This is the moment when you…

The renowned John D. Rockefeller was the first of the great American Philanthropists. Born July 8, 1839, in the state of New York, he had always delighted in business and riches. His methodical nature combined with his genius powers of organization gave him the ability to become one of the world’s wealthiest person in all of history. His fortune was not in gold but in oil, that dark mass of runny grease which, before Rockefeller’s era, no one knew what to do with. Rockefeller entered the…

America wasn 't discovered, it was built by a group of innovative, young business men who were often referred to as America’s first captains of industry. In 1865, towards the end of the civil war, America was seen as a failing nation and as an unsuccessful democracy on the brink of collapse. However, from 1865-1914, America experienced an incredible period of growth which transformed this nation into the most powerful country in the world. During this time frame, the American economy increased…

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, new advances changed many Americans way of life. Agriculture was changed drastically by the latest technology, government policies, and economic conditions. New technology made the jobs of farmers easier which meant they wouldn’t need to labor in the fields all day, this allowed for more leisure time. As America began to shift from an agrarian society to an industrialized nation, farmers struggled with making a profit for themselves. The new advancements in…

“The challenge is to follow through on a great idea. I think if you’ve got a great idea, you need to just give it a try, and if you fall flat on your face, pick yourself up and try again. Learn from your mistakes. And, remember, you’ve got to go make a real difference in people’s lives if you’re going to be successful.” This quote by Richard Branson represents his mindset towards his business ventures which have crafted his success as an entrepreneur. Richard Branson is one of the richest and…

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 1905 Industrial Innovator Awards, a gathering of all our esteemed and honored business venturers and America’s leading industrialists. Tonight, our nominees for leading industrialists are John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. Both men have contributed to the world of business and industry in a multitude of ways, but our winner tonight has exemplified the epitome of a true Captain of Industry. Born in Scotland as the son of a weaver, our…