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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRobert Reich's Excellent Adventure With Trump Supporter:
Hi, I said. Noticed your Trump bumper sticker.
Yup, he said, a bit defensively.
I hope you dont mind my asking, but Im curious. Why are you supporting him?
I know hes a little bit much, said the Trump supporter. But hes a successful businessman. And we need a successful businessman as president.
How do you know hes a successful businessman? I asked.
Because hes made a fortune.
Has he really? I asked.
Of course. Forbes magazine says hes worth four and a half billion.
That doesnt mean hes been a success, I said.
In my book it does, said the Trump supporter.
You know, in 1976, when Trump was just starting his career, he said he was worth about $200 million, I said. Most of that was from his father.
That just proves my point, said the Trump supporter. He turned that $200 million into four and a half billion. Brilliant man."
But if he had just put that $200 million into an index fund and reinvested the dividends, hed be worth twelve billion today, I said.
The Trump supporter went silent.
"And he got about $850 million in tax subsidies, just in New York alone," I said.
More silence.
"He's not a businessman," I said. "He's a con man. "Hope you enjoy your coffee."
https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/posts/1311195112226415
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)as did this comment:
Anyone that claims Trump is successful only needs to do one thing.
Play a game of Monopoly. Give one player $2million and the other player $50.
https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/posts/1311195112226415?comment_id=1311548968857696&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22%7D
BSdetect
(8,998 posts)The little slogans get into their little heads and stick.
Forming an impenetrable shield against facts.
If a fact does get through, as in this example, it is quickly overcome by the convenience of not having to weigh up the fact against the established BS and the ease by which facts can be ejected.
Condition zombie soon re-established.
dlk
(11,560 posts)Leave it to Reich to use simple facts to cut through all of the media spin regarding Trump's business "acumen." This post made my day!
calimary
(81,220 posts)Glad you're here! Sometimes we have to pick 'em off one at a time. Kinda like ticks on your dog or something...
(With apologies to ticks everywhere!)
elleng
(130,865 posts)Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)I'd never let someone walk with that "success" claim without throwing that into the pot.
Scandalous university still in litigation for cheating its students.
Breaking Casino rules and cheating customers.
Antitrust violations.
The many times he's cheated workers and contractors.
And to top it off with a nice little fiscally responsible cherry.. The Trump foundation, which he himself has admitted using to buy and influence politicians.
Yeah.. Successful businessman my ample ass.