[Evil Inc]

"like more independent boards of directors"

The same folks serve on so many boards it is impossible they could actually be more than rubber stamp boards.
So many are in bred and cross grafted to boards its Byzantine

[Hostage]

You are quite accurate with your comment regarding the inbrededness of corporate boards.

We do however have a new phenomenon on the rise made possible by the internet. There are investment forums where investors come together to discuss the companies they invest in. One of the by products is the emergence of forum leaders who have demonstrated their due diligence talents. When such investors poll their share holdings, many find they have enough votes to elect one of their own to a board of a company in which they are invested.

The foregoing is actually happening, is in the whisper stage at the moment and is sending shockwaves through certain corporate halls.

Some hedge fund directors are so frightened that the internet could possibly unite investors that they send boilerroom operatives to disrupt and discredit investment forum leaders.

[bvw]

Free the market! Let stocks and preferred and bonds and such for small businesses such and pizzerias and car washes be sold on ebay! Let clearinghouses come into existance that package securities from small businesses. Abolish the SEC! Eliminate the tyraany of filings ... let the market police itself.

Let me write a security on myself, couponding 10% of my gross for the next five years ... to finance my college education,. my new restaurant outfitting and stocking cist, etc. To sell to the public, wide-open the market.

[okie01]

"like more independent boards of directors"

The most intelligent question I've ever heard from many independent board members (read: faculty, PR and "diversity" appointments) was:

"What's for lunch?"