] One problem is that the analysts aren't objective.

A big problem is the divorce of common stock holders from their voting perogative. An enormous chunk of American companies is owned by pension plans and mutual funds, both of which are primarilly comprised of average people's money. And yet these ultimate owners of the companies exert almost zero influence on the Board of Directors via their voting perogative. In both cases they are one step removed legally from actually being able to vote and so these enormous sources of capital are used without regard for their ultimate owners priorities.

A further problem is that the owners can't possibly be expected to stay abrest of the hundreds of companies they're invested in via these vehicles. Frankly, I would much rather they spent their limited political energies on government than corporate politics. But it seems that there is an area for collectivization of ownership into larger bodies that could exercise voting rights as a proxy block. Owners of pension and mutual funds, or even individual stock holders, could assign their voting rights to non-profit organizations whose job it would be to stay abrest of company politics and vote according to a stated platform. For example, Greenpeace could run a stockholders union whose policies endorse environmental responsibility, human rights, and fair play. If enough share holders assigned their voting rights to Greenpeace, the organization could install a Boardmember to a company and influence its policies and management.

Admitedly, there are a lot of problems with this idea, but at least it would begin to give millions of tiny owners a way to collectivize and exert the influence on corporate behavior they deserve. Different platforms for corporate governance could compete in the marketplace for shareowner confidence, and potentially bring a fresh voice to the table.

I believe it is a fallacy that fiduciary responsibility means the maximization of shareholder profits at the expense of all else, and I further believe that the shareholders themselves will say that loud and clear if they're only given the chance.

RE: Telecommunications layoffs mount worldwide