Mitsubishi and Unilever outsize Indonesia and Vietnam. In fact, the hundred biggest economies in the world are equally divided between businesses and governments. As America headquarters more of these behemoth businesses than any country, we are told the future belongs to us. Corporate gadfly Ralph Nader decided to test the issue. He wrote to the 100 largest U.S. corporations, urging that, at their next shareholders meetings, their CEOs lead the company in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States.
Countless unions open their meetings with it.
Arco and Amoco said no. We will have to carefully consider whether the proposal advances the best interests of the company, its shareholders and employees. Delta said no. And may Americans never stop celebrating it, our global corporate elite notwithstanding.