The bottom line on capitalism

Re “A gentler capitalism,” Opinion, Jan. 31

“Gentler capitalism” is the best oxymoron I’ve heard since “compassionate conservatism.”

It’s unclear to me how David Callahan thinks he’ll prove his theory that “corporate leaders are looking beyond the bottom line” by speculating that fear of “losing market share” may have prompted Wal-Mart’s pledge to clean up its act, or quoting Bill Gates as touting “work that eases the world’s inequities” as a creative new way to turn a profit.

Upper-class philanthropy notwithstanding, capitalism is all about the bottom line and always will be.

Corporations have no conscience, and they will never engage in social justice or environmental responsibility unless they can make a buck doing it -- or unless they are forced to.

Kathy Barreto

Culver City

Callahan said that a gentler capitalism may begin. That is not going to happen.

Corporations are established for one basic purpose: to make money by converting nature and labor into profit and more capital.

The corporation was invented to limit liability and maximize profit.

Corporate managers are required to maximize profit, although they often arrange to give themselves enormous salaries. They, the president and Congress will not place the interests of workers, the community or the environment ahead of corporate profit interests.

John M. Lambase

San Pedro