The plutocracy meets

I note that at the upcoming meeting of Prime Minister Harper and Presidents Bush and Fox, they have decided to each invite five corporate CEOs. Not a bad idea to get another point of view on economic issues, but why just from the corporate chiefs? Don't workers have some vague connection to economic success? So why aren't a few labour leaders invited?

The ubiquitous Thomas d'Aquino, head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, commented, "The decision to invite influential CEOs ... signals a recognition by the leaders that winning in a changing global economy will depend on more than good public policy." Yes indeed, but may it not also have something to do with good labour relations and a good working relationship between government, business and labour?

Perhaps I'm naive, but couldn't our political leaders at least pretend we are more of a democracy than a plutocracy?