Courtesy of the red, white and IBM

This past week, I witnessed a shameful display of American patriotism gracing the bulletin boards at the business school. On it, a printout of a desecrated American flag in which corporate logos replaced the traditional stars of statehood. Further, a poem found next to it entitled "July 4th" advocated the displeasures of corporate power, patriotism and how consumerism is the dominant national religion. \nFrom the point of view of someone who loves this country and its basic freedoms, the postings are some of the most dishonorable exhibits of work I have ever come across. Whoever decided to put them up must have thought they were real suave; what better place to advocate your disgust for corporate America than in the business school? You state that corporations are the problem; maybe you should rethink that statement. \nThe fact of the matter is that during an infinite number of times in your life, you have put an almighty dollar into the hands of what might be referred to as soulless enterprises. I noticed that you had an IBM logo on your rendition of the flag -- quite humorous considering you wasted perfectly good paper from the company which was fed through a Xerox printer connected by a Microsoft operating system to get your message out against big business. \nRealize it or not, corporate enterprises from United Airlines to Apple have instituted innovative ideas that made your life that much more convenient. These so-called "tools of evil" (yeah, I visited a few Web sites) have provided you with so many things that you take for granted. Without these enterprises, chances are your parents would be unemployed and you would not have had the opportunities to date. \nNow, I by all means do not completely endorse corporations to the fullest extent; I even have a few complaints. While enterprises like Andersen and Enron have given big business a bad name, keep in mind that corporations of this nature give much needed support to the community. When I interviewed at Price Waterhouse Coopers San Francisco, it was encouraged that employees partake in activities that benefit the community. In fact, IU itself has received large donations and grants from benefactors, including the late Ed Kelley's $23 million to the school of business in 1997. Eli Lilly has provided endowments that allow for students and faculty to have excellent facilities and teaching tools. If you individuals want to have any formal grounds for argument, an economics class certainly would have helped. \nIf it weren't for wealthy enterprises, our country would model Russia's economy -- we wouldn't have one. Jobs would be scarce, the economy in shambles and those who did have jobs would bust their tails all day and have nothing to show for it. That's why people come to America, because one can make something of themselves and not be aloof.\nI know that America is not perfect, but then again, what is? The fact of the matter is that this country has allowed for you to pursue a higher education and freedom. Although it seems corporations are evil, in actuality their role is vital to the American way of life. You should be more appreciative of what you have because in any other country you probably would be starving. If you don't like it, experience somewhere else and see what it's like to be poor and have nothing; I guarantee you'll think twice of what you take so blatantly for granted.