[orthecreedence]

Here's a radical idea: get rid of the stock market and public ownership of stock.

The only way to become an owner of a company is by being an employee. Essentially, all companies become co-ops. Investment of capital would happen through long-term relationships with banks, not through selling pieces of the company off to creeps who want outrageous returns at the expense of the employees/customers.

Instead of short-term gains, people now focus on 10, 20, and 50-year plans. Employees can democratically elect their leadership (or any other internal system can be set up).

The stock market and public ownership in general seems like an incredible waste of resources and focus.

[keeganjw]

I don't think these two things have to be mutually exclusive. Much of the retirement savings people do have is invested in the stock market. I created tons of wealth for Americans, it's just not distributed fairly. I'd like to see more Americans represented by unions. Unfortunately, the recent Supreme Court decision will make that much more difficult. Germany strikes me as good example of letting people share in the economic growth of their country. Some businesses are employee owned, many are unionized, and union reps make up some of the board members on public companies. That kind of thing is almost unthinkable in the U.S. but it benefits the average person greatly.