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In reply to the discussion: There is not a single business owner in this country who got where they are 100% on their own [View all]Bluerthanblue
(13,669 posts)Last edited Mon Jul 16, 2012, 09:31 PM - Edit history (1)
situations where we can both look at a situation and come away with completely different opinions of what is being said.
I don't think that being a business person is any more or less admirable than being a teacher, a home health aide, a carpenter, a restaurant employee, a scientist, or __________.... you fill in the blank. I don't think that Pres. O was particularly targeting small business owners, or that he equates them with the uber wealthy. He was pointing out the reality that people are not successful simply because they work hard. Conversely, some very hard working people don't ever achieve great monetary prosperity and by our society's standards would be said to be unsucessful, despite their substantial and important contributions to society-
Romney points to his vast wealth- and his supporters point to it, as a symbol of success. As if somehow the fact that he can amass a shitload of money for himself would make him a good leader for this nation. I completely disagree. Being a successful CEO, (using the measure this f--d up society does) means becoming very very wealthy, regardless of how your quest for personal gain effects society.
This country isn't a 'business'- and Venture Capitalism doesn't equate to being able to make sure that all citizens are able to make a go of life. Bain's goal was to make money- not necessarily to do what was best for the companies they "took over"- but to turn a profit.
I think you are reading something into what the Pres. actually said. I've listened him and read the speech over several times now, and I don't come away with the same message you have.
I could be wrong, but that is my perspective.