August 13, 2009
Ms. Elizabeth M. Murphy
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street NE
Washington, DC 20549-1090
Dear Ms. Murphy,
The shareholder proxy access rule change caught my attention as a friend of mine and I were talking about our mechanic businesses. For over twenty years, I worked as a mechanic at a rural electric company. In 1997, I decided to go into business for myself.. As a private business owner, I was free to make my own decisions and set my own hours. That is how I want to keep it.
Business was good for many years, and it still is going pretty strong. I seem to stay busy, but I live in a place where everyone knows everyone. Word of mouth helps a lot when ones reputation sells their work. The auto industry as a whole has suffered tremendously due to many people with authority being consumed by greed. We all want to live in a prosperous country where we can make a decent, comfortable living. While the average American citizen strives to accomplish these goals through working, entrepreneurship and contributing as a whole, it seems like the government only hinders our progress as they seek more control.
If we allow the shareholder proxy access rule change to pass, not only will government officials have more access to our publicly traded companies, but smaller businesses could suffer just as much, if not more. The trickle down effect of larger companies downsizing and closing is inevitable. We have witnessed this before, and honestly, our economy cannot afford any more destruction. This rule change should not be considered or approved.
Thank you,
Edwin Culwell