Society should be run on the basis of the common good, not bottom line profit

What a different society there would be if things were run on the basis of the common good of all. It would mean people thinking always in terms of their neighbour and the community. Business too could take the lead. Shops are there to serve the local community, not the other way around. The idea of the principle of the common good came to mind when recently queueing up at a local supermarket. There were three tills working, many others vacant. Self service tills were in operation. The queues grew. When it was suggested that they needed a few more staff, the news was that the supermarket wanted to switch over to self service as much as possible, so cutting staff. The supermarkets do not pay people well. On a more positive note, they (largely due to dedicated staff) kept people going throughout the pandemic. Supermarkets also collect for foodbanks - it is a shame though that some staff are so badly paid that they end up using the self same foodbanks. Supermarkets have also put incredible pressure on suppliers to cut costs. This has a knock on effect down the supply chain, putting special pressure on farmers. The supermarkets are responding to the climate crisis, though, incredibly slowly. Far more could be done in terms of renewable energy usage and generation by supermarkets and their property divisions. More could also be done, more quickly to phase out excess plastic and packaging use. The unfortunate thing is that whatever good or bad practices the supermarkets pursue, the overriding priority is bottom line profit. Shareholders dividend pay outs trump all. The supermarkets are not alone. How much better for the community would it be if utilities like water, energy and mail were run for the good of all, rather than shareholders. The recent strikes on the railway were caused by a failure to pay the workforce properly. Modernisation is being demanded, meaning job losses plus worse pay and conditions. Businesses and services based on the common good would value workers and customers equally - all have to survive, have families to feed and support. This is something of a cursory look at how things could be different based on the common good, rather than the present tyranny of bottom line profits rule all. But it is difficult not to think that a society run on common good principles would be a happier more fulfilled place