I used to take my duties as a shareholder seriously. When I got the proxy forms, I would always vote against the banksters on the board of directors, against the ridiculous pay for the senior executives, and against any expansion of stock options. I always got out voted, and so now when I get proxies, they go right into the shredder. Very few firms are run for the benefit of non-employee shareholders. They are all run for the plundering senior executives.