The Bucknuts Hot Spot

Their revenues were $39 billion. Their profit was $11.6 billion. I don't care how much profit they make. But for a company that is swimming in money they sure treat their Chinese employees like pieces of trash.

Most of what was said about th conditions were found to be false. And now that they have made changes the people who are complaining the most are the employees at the plant who can't work the hours that they worked and can't make the money they are used to making.

Apple's own investigation found tons of labor law violations in the Foxconn plants. Their CEO is at least trying to remedy some of the problems. I give him credit for that.

Why do people get upset (or envious) of those companies that show success? Sp Apple has done a great job of creating new and innovative products - they have showed leadership - and some applaud and some quickly want to attack that how dare a company be so big and or become so profitable. Apple makes mistakes like others, but also try to fix and rectify (ex China).

We are a capitalistic society - private business as long as morally, legally and ethically doing things right should be free to grow and become as big as they want and reap as much profits as they want - market cycles, changes, etc - help keep them in line. Look over the course of history - look at the top 100 companies today compared to the top 100 in 1950 and 1970, and 1990 - see how many no longer exist.

To me its like sports, we see SEC schools that do well and instead of giving them credit, its easier to knock them- so like in business, instead of applauding Apple -some choose to knock them. Many buckeye fans don't understand why others do not like us - but its because of our success. So many in society just naturally have distrust and distaste for those on top of the mountain.

I am hardly a republican supporter, but I do like the fact that Romney says - he will not apologize for his success - neither should we as Buckeyes and neither should Apple

according to the definition of liberal - I am one - since i believe all Americans should be treated equally.

So this liberal's house has 2 Ipads, 3 Apple Desktops, one Apple Laptop and 2 Apple Iphones

We could care less how much profit they make - they are a free enterprise business, they are allowed to do so.

And get your facts straight on how they treat their works, lots of misinformation surrounding that. They are not perfect, but not nearly as bad as some have tried to make them

Not sure how to politicize Apple products, but FWIW, I own plenty of them. Would I rather have paid $500 for the new iPad and had Apple's profits be only $5B? Sure, but I was willing to pay what I did. No one coerced me. Their pricing is why I don't update every generation- still have the iPhone 3 and my macbook is 3 years old, but Apple has gotten plenty of my money over the years.

Is what Apple does "patriotic"? I am just asking the question. You hear about corporations that outsource all these jobs, which clearly hurts American workers. As a business, though, I think it is their fiduciary duty to maximize profits. I have no problem with what Apple does.

Tell me this, though, and again, I am not sure where I fall, but it's an interesting question. Is Apple the same as a health insurance company or an oil company, since they were mentioned? I don't have to have an iPhone, but I do have to drive to work. I will get sick. Is jacking up prices as high as you can get them any different when it is not so much a luxury in life but a necessity?

The funny thing is that this is where, if the government was at all competent, you'd think they'd just build a better mousetrap. If insurance companies make so much money, shouldn't someone else who would take the profit motive out of it be able to provide the same service for less money? In theory that should work, but it certainly doesn't in terms of Medicare and Medicaid. Doctors don't want to take either for the most part, which means those patients have less access and fewer choices (especially Medicaid patients).

Back on point, I have no problem with Apple's profits. You don't want to contribute to them? Don't buy one.

Good point, --my point was in all these "descriptor words" - many on the right believe that we should treat gays and lesbians as 2nd class citizens - though I align with much republican beliefs on financial and military beliefs - but since i believe that Gays and Lesbians should be afforded equal rights and protection - I am lumped into "the liberal" group - I could care less about the title - so did not mean to say only Americans should be equal, my point was that I believe all Americans are equal gay or straight - but if that is going to have people define me as liberal so be it.

I don't think anyone begrudges public officials their pay. It's the benefits that are out of line with the private sector that they are worried about especially the ones that have non contributary healh and retirement plans that are bankrupting governments.

To answer a part of your post . No, it is not the same as health insurance being a for profit industry. When your obligation is profits and not the "health" of your patients/customers it is a complete conflict of interest. If Apple makes a profit, it's because you want the latest, coolest device to listen to your music and watch you movies on. They deliver on what was promised in the purchase of an iPad. Insurance companies have been known to not cover plenty of things that would effect their bottom lline regardless of how much you pay in premiums - which is why I support the Individual Mandate. It is the only thing that's been proposed by either side of the aisle that woul ensure lower insurance rates.

anybody know how many people Apple employs in the states, and overseas?

Sounds like you may be more of a Libertarian than the stereotype "liberal"?

@minster....your angry that a police chief walks away with (supposedly) a million dollars as opposed to ceos at Countrywide Mortgage who walk away with tens of millions? Or BP execs getting safety bonuses after a massive oil spill? Again, thats the problem. People expect (in your case the police chief) to run an entire police department and do it for peanuts. Im sure theres more to it than sick time assuming your figures are correct. Dont forget, those bailouts were also tax dollars and I didnt see any Wall Streeters begging on the streets