Being president takes more than a businessman

[umbertino]

by: Ira Ruskin

August 20 2012

Thomas Paine was a man of the enlightenment who saw "virtue" as the cornerstone of a new vision to "begin the world over again." By virtue, he meant rising above your own self-interests to do public good. He also said "the greatest offense of all to the great Father is when we seek to torment and render each other miserable." Not, by the way, the words of an atheist. So should not our presidents be men and women who seek to be virtuous, who, to quote the Statue of Liberty, seek to turn the misery and torment of "your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" into happiness?

Vision, determination, leadership, and hard work...all potentially good qualities in both an American businessman and an American president. But there is another, deeper, level of characteristics in many successful businessmen in a capitalist society, characteristics not, perhaps, so attractive when considered as qualities to lead and inspire a nation.

The fundamental principle of running a business in America is to make money, preferably for yourself and secondly for shareholders, but NOT to do public good. A fast food chain aims to sell you the cheapest food at the highest possible price, not to concern itself with your health - unless, of course, it sees a profit in the idea of doing so.

To quote Abba Ramos, a veteran organizer in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union:

"If they can get a trained monkey to unload that boxcar tomorrow morning, rest assured, they'll have them over there and they'll have some bananas for lunch, and you'll be out on the street looking for work. Simple as that. You've got to remember, they follow only one rule of economic law, and that's that maximum production-minimum cost yields the greatest amount of profit. They don't deviate from that."

And another set of characteristics potentially begin to emerge - ruthlessness, greed, self-aggrandizement, lust for power, beliefs of superiority, lack of morality, lack of caring for anyone else, and an intense instinct for self survival and success. These are not good qualities for the job of being responsible for the people of a nation.

And so, as we roll, or descend, into another presidential campaign, we have once again an opportunity to think about the qualities that we look for in our leader.

Obama, after Harvard, became a community organizer on the streets of Chicago, no doubt mixing with some shady characters and no doubt living on a tight budget, but certainly working to improve some peoples' lives and living conditions. He then went on to make more than $5 million for writing his autobiographies.

Romney, after Harvard, helped to found Bain Capital. Now it gets interesting. Bain Capital's job was to go into struggling companies and implement a strategy that would either save them, close them down or, perhaps, move them overseas. The only consideration was the possibility of profit. Peoples' jobs, the welfare of the community, and a sense of compassion were not part of the transaction. And Romney made more than $200 million through this work, saving companies or closing them down or moving them out of the country. The prime motivation for this work was not "virtue" in any sense of the word but, rather, making a lot of money.

Thomas Paine wrote:

"When it shall be said in any country in the world my poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes are not repressive; the rational world is my friend, because I am a friend of happiness; when these things can be said, then may that country boast of its constitution and its government."

We have a way to go. Who might best help us along the way? That is the question.

http://www.peoplesworld.org/being-president-takes-more-than-a-businessman/

[desimo]

This election is very personal. My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War along side our Forefathers. My ancestors also came over on the Mayflower to obtain a dream of freedom. My ancestors also MET the passengers on the Mayflower. I have worked with combat veterans for over 20 years dealing with the horrors of wars needed to keep this nation free. I see a president with friendly ties to a domestic terrorist Ayers. I see a president who is making EOs which hamstrings the Border Patrol because all a lying drug deals has to say is that they are a 'dreamer' and they cannot be deported unless the officials, regardless what they might know, basically catch them in the arms of the cartels. I see a president picking and choosing which laws our LEOs will enforce. I see a president that has made it very clear that 'many guns need to belong to the military alone and NOT to the public'. I see a president that has made his cornerstone a policy of medical care that will require rationing. I see a president that has made unemployment even harder by now requiring the 'dreamers' to get a job while millions of Americans are unemployed. I see a president that has brought Chicago style politics out of the smoky back rooms and into the White House. I see a president that protects his people through EOs such as seen in Fast and Furious. I have no respect nor appreciation for a president that has done more to hand America over to the same ideology that we have been fighting for generations to keep out of America. I see a president who has created an administration that supports and develops regulations that keeps water from farmers for the sake of a tiny fish. I see a president who bows to foreign dignitaries. I see a president who has an administration who is working hard on handing America over to the UN. I see a president telling the world how bad America is and has been. I see a president who, in my opinion, should be up on charges for treason and violation of the US Constitution.

[0722]

More interested in the realities of what desimo wrote than the ideaology of what Thomas Paine wrote. In my younger days, when I could "enlighten" myself during the day and pontificate about "what if's and dreams" I often liked to read such things, but today, I read bank statements and retirement accounts and college tuition payments.

There comes a time when we have to stop living in our mind and face reality and deal with what is in front of us.

Two main issues in this campaign for me is the debt and immigration.

Things like "every pot needs a chicken" are just going to have to wait until we can fiscally put a chicken in the pot.

And with that, we must determine who's pot to put a chicken in.

We just simply cannot be the dumping ground for other failed governments any longer.

[wpsmit]

To quote Abba Ramos, a veteran organizer in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union:

Couldn't get past this sentence. C'mon my friend, point us to some music....not more of the socialist garbage which you seem to enjoy posting so much!

[caz1104]

Couldn't get past this sentence. C'mon my friend, point us to some music....not more of the socialist garbage which you seem to enjoy posting so much!

ditto that.

[caz1104]

Just in case anyone has been living under a rock for the last 250 or so years,the US gov is a business. In my opinion its the lifer politicians that have no clue on how to run said business,and until we get rid of them and hire qualified people we are doomed to the course we've allowed to be set.Peace

[wpsmit]

Just in case anyone has been living under a rock for the last 250 or so years,the US gov is a business. In my opinion its the lifer politicians that have no clue on how to run said business,and until we get rid of them and hire qualified people we are doomed to the course we've allowed to be set.Peace

+1, And that my friend is why Donald Trump would have been my first choice for the GOP. Given that he chose not to throw his hat in the ring (and I'm sure he is carrying a whole bunch of baggage), I am impelled to vote for Romney.

Barry seems to have never earned a single paycheck in the private sector in his life. Of course, for our liberal DV brothers and sisters, no I can't prove it, Barry's records are sealed tighter than Tutankhamun's tomb was!

At any rate, the solutions to this country's problems will not be solved by "organizing communities"

[Rockstarr]

Obama was a 'community organizer' before entering politics which is really nothing more than - a cheerleader. I'll take the qualified, experienced, successful, know how to make money businessman over the cheerleader any day.

Just to toss this out there - I came across a very interesting blog based on records that are public:

2008: Obama’s IQ is 116

2012: Obama’s IQ is still 116

Edited August 21, 2012 by Rockstarr

[Lutie]

Oh ya we have done really well under a community organizer who never held a real job in his life.

[jonjon]

Obama was a 'community organizer' before entering politics which is really nothing more than - a cheerleader. I'll take the qualified, experienced, successful, know how to make money businessman over the cheerleader any day.

Just to toss this out there - I came across a very interesting blog based on records that are public:

2008: Obama’s IQ is 116

2012: Obama’s IQ is still 116

I think the DNC should demand that Romney release his IQ

[tommy17]

Couldn't get past this sentence. C'mon my friend, point us to some music....not more of the socialist garbage which you seem to enjoy posting so much!

Well said bro.

Oh ya we have done really well under a community organizer who never held a real job in his life.

And had the worst attendance record of any U.S senator at the time.

[Iownya83]

Well said bro.

And had the worst attendance record of any U.S senator at the time.

Don't forget maintaining a D average in collage LOL

[Deathmonkey]

This election is very personal. My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War along side our Forefathers. My ancestors also came over on the Mayflower to obtain a dream of freedom. My ancestors also MET the passengers on the Mayflower. I have worked with combat veterans for over 20 years dealing with the horrors of wars needed to keep this nation free. I see a president with friendly ties to a domestic terrorist Ayers. I see a president who is making EOs which hamstrings the Border Patrol because all a lying drug deals has to say is that they are a 'dreamer' and they cannot be deported unless the officials, regardless what they might know, basically catch them in the arms of the cartels. I see a president picking and choosing which laws our LEOs will enforce. I see a president that has made it very clear that 'many guns need to belong to the military alone and NOT to the public'. I see a president that has made his cornerstone a policy of medical care that will require rationing. I see a president that has made unemployment even harder by now requiring the 'dreamers' to get a job while millions of Americans are unemployed. I see a president that has brought Chicago style politics out of the smoky back rooms and into the White House. I see a president that protects his people through EOs such as seen in Fast and Furious. I have no respect nor appreciation for a president that has done more to hand America over to the same ideology that we have been fighting for generations to keep out of America. I see a president who has created an administration that supports and develops regulations that keeps water from farmers for the sake of a tiny fish. I see a president who bows to foreign dignitaries. I see a president who has an administration who is working hard on handing America over to the UN. I see a president telling the world how bad America is and has been. I see a president who, in my opinion, should be up on charges for treason and violation of the US Constitution.

Watch Fox News much?

Don't forget maintaining a D average in collage LOL

Are you talking about Bush? I know you are not talking about Obama. He got into Harvard Law, and graduated second in his class. And don't start speaking conspiracy, because this was before he was ever in government.

[slb]

Watch Fox News much?

Are you talking about Bush? I know you are not talking about Obama. He got into Harvard Law, and graduated second in his class. And don't start speaking conspiracy, because this was before he was ever in government.

How many were in the class, Two? I think we would all like to see those transcripts for ourselves rather than take his word for it!

[wpsmit]

How many were in the class, Two? I think we would all like to see those transcripts for ourselves rather than take his word for it!

Good answer newbie! +1

[slb]

You can't even believe him when he sets his own standard.... Copy and paste in browser if needed.

[Deathmonkey]

How many were in the class, Two? I think we would all like to see those transcripts for ourselves rather than take his word for it!

Seriously, this site has some of the most single minded people I have ever come across. And I love it.

[desimo]

I find it interesting how the Dem or liberals responses to things usually lack truth debate or discourse. Their replies are normally a personal attack for not agree with them or a reply that just does not make any intellectual sense. I watch people as they are interviewed. I see consistently how the talking heads for liberal causes are pure emotion and no real content. I find them to be consistently just plain mean. Most interesting is the comparison between the liberal's attitude and those of hard core Bible Thumpers. People are able to relate to the thumpers. You really cannot have a conversation with a hard core thumper and are viewed as evil simply having a different interpretation of things. There is no difference between them and the liberals. The more liberal someone claims to be the nastier and closed minded they are in reality. Another thing I have found is that those who have a weak position are those who have to avoid at all cost true discourse and exchange of thought. They must shut down all real exchange of thought, idea and discussion. I would like to see the liberals to have a real discussion and not simply reply with things like: fox news is stupid; you don't know what you are talking about; Bain capital; and the ever popular....Republicans are owned by the Tea Party and you all hate old people.

[cris]

The Democrats have been trying in any way possible, to get the

Elderly vote for a very long time....Looks like they're continuing to lose ground

“With over half of those 65 and over reporting disapproval of the way the president is handling his job in November 2010, it will be interesting to see how things develop over the coming year. The Democrats could well have a difficult road ahead of them if they hope to recapture the presidency in 2012,” Shields said. “Democrats will need to reach out to older voters, try to bring younger people to the polls, and attempt to reach out to an aging and largely conservative America.”

http://firstarkansasnews.net/2011/05/poll-shows-shift-in-elderly-voting-allegiance/

[BrokeNoMore]

Just in case anyone has been living under a rock for the last 250 or so years,the US gov is a business. In my opinion its the lifer politicians that have no clue on how to run said business,and until we get rid of them and hire qualified people we are doomed to the course we've allowed to be set.Peace

I generally agree with what it is you're trying to say, except I disagree with the idea that US GOV is a business.

It's more like a hostile charity in which the donors are forced at gunpoint to contribute whether they agree as a majority with how THEIR money is spent, or not. Businesses don't do anything for free, and the government's products and services are "free".

I guess my point is that I'd prefer that the government not be given the dignity of a comparison to a private business that must balance it's books and turn a profit or close the doors.

The Democrats have been trying in any way possible, to get the

Elderly vote for a very long time....Looks like they're continuing to lose ground

“With over half of those 65 and over reporting disapproval of the way the president is handling his job in November 2010, it will be interesting to see how things develop over the coming year. The Democrats could well have a difficult road ahead of them if they hope to recapture the presidency in 2012,” Shields said. “Democrats will need to reach out to older voters, try to bring younger people to the polls, and attempt to reach out to an aging and largely conservative America.”

http://firstarkansasnews.net/2011/05/poll-shows-shift-in-elderly-voting-allegiance/

How about tax breaks to families who financially take care of their parents?

[DiveDeepSix]

Running the government needs to be done exactly like running a business. Trim the fat, cut their pay back to $40,000 a year, and give them a bonus off of performance, by that meaning whenever we not only are running efficiently but when we have a surplus. Term limits on all congressmen/women and no life long bennies when they leave. Liberals just don't seem to get it, if anyone ran a business the way these clowns run the government, they'd be out of business. This is the only employment opportunity I know of where you can be a complete failure over and over and then give your self a raise, really? FIRE their @$$es!!!

"If they can get a trained monkey to unload that boxcar tomorrow morning, rest assured, they'll have them over there and they'll have some bananas for lunch, and you'll be out on the street looking for work. Simple as that. You've got to remember, they follow only one rule of economic law, and that's that maximum production-minimum cost yields the greatest amount of profit. They don't deviate from that."

And another set of characteristics potentially begin to emerge - ruthlessness, greed, self-aggrandizement, lust for power, beliefs of superiority, lack of morality, lack of caring for anyone else, and an intense instinct for self survival and success. These are not good qualities for the job of being responsible for the people of a nation.

This is exactly what's wrong with liberals and unions (above statement). Of course this is the principal of business, why would I want to bust my butt, mortgage everything I own, take all the risks, to own a business and then not make money at it? If you go to work at McDonalds do you go there to make money for McDonalds? NO you don't, you go their to make money for you, to pay your own bills. I get such a kick out of this "holier than thou" union attitude. Unions are a joke and one of the biggest problems in this country right now.

"maximum production-minimum cost yields the greatest amount of profit. They don't deviate from that." This is exactly how the government needs to be ran, and would wipe out our debt and problems permanently. It's also exactly what they have not been doing. Community Organizer!

Umbertino I like you and your posts on music, but I'm with the rest when it comes to these hate posts about America. What can it possibly accomplish by putting out articles that tell us "We all Suck"? I for one could give a rip what other countries think about America, if we are so bad why do they still keep trying to come here? Jealous Haters, same as always, and dingdong O just threw fuel on the fire with his ignorant statement "You didn't build your business, someone else did that for you" kinda like "You didn't build your country someone else did that for you" Yes someone much smarter than anyone in office did build this country for us and laid out guidelines to make it stay that way, you know the same ones O has been using for toliet paper. You can bet your @$$ come November we are going to stand up and protect her for all of our children regardless of their religious beliefs or political affiliations!

[BrokeNoMore]

Running the government needs to be done exactly like running a business. Trim the fat, cut their pay back to $40,000 a year, and give them a bonus off of performance, by that meaning whenever we not only are running efficiently but when we have a surplus. Term limits on all congressmen/women and no life long bennies when they leave. Liberals just don't seem to get it, if anyone ran a business the way these clowns run the government, they'd be out of business. This is the only employment opportunity I know of where you can be a complete failure over and over and then give your self a raise, really? FIRE their @$$es!!!

"If they can get a trained monkey to unload that boxcar tomorrow morning, rest assured, they'll have them over there and they'll have some bananas for lunch, and you'll be out on the street looking for work. Simple as that. You've got to remember, they follow only one rule of economic law, and that's that maximum production-minimum cost yields the greatest amount of profit. They don't deviate from that."

And another set of characteristics potentially begin to emerge - ruthlessness, greed, self-aggrandizement, lust for power, beliefs of superiority, lack of morality, lack of caring for anyone else, and an intense instinct for self survival and success. These are not good qualities for the job of being responsible for the people of a nation.

This is exactly what's wrong with liberals and unions (above statement). Of course this is the principal of business, why would I want to bust my butt, mortgage everything I own, take all the risks, to own a business and then not make money at it? If you go to work at McDonalds do you go there to make money for McDonalds? NO you don't, you go their to make money for you, to pay your own bills. I get such a kick out of this "holier than thou" union attitude. Unions are a joke and one of the biggest problems in this country right now.

"maximum production-minimum cost yields the greatest amount of profit. They don't deviate from that." This is exactly how the government needs to be ran, and would wipe out our debt and problems permanently. It's also exactly what they have not been doing. Community Organizer!

Umbertino I like you and your posts on music, but I'm with the rest when it comes to these hate posts about America. What can it possibly accomplish by putting out articles that tell us "We all Suck"? I for one could give a rip what other countries think about America, if we are so bad why do they still keep trying to come here? Jealous Haters, same as always, and dingdong O just threw fuel on the fire with his ignorant statement "You didn't build your business, someone else did that for you" kinda like "You didn't build your country someone else did that for you" Yes someone much smarter than anyone in office did build this country for us and laid out guidelines to make it stay that way, you know the same ones O has been using for toliet paper. You can bet your @$$ come November we are going to stand up and protect her for all of our children regardless of their religious beliefs or political affiliations!

AGREE 100%!!! +1

[cris]

How about tax breaks to families who financially take care of their parents?

There are ways to do that....Especially if they are considered your 'dependent'

[grand pubah]

I believe in helping those that are struggling but not in creating an environment that teaches dependence but that promotes the ideals that will inspire people to better themselves not through dependence but through hard work and personal responsibility.

We have in America today a whole culture of people who have learned complete dependence on handouts and have been stripped of any ambition or sense of personal responsibility to better themselves and become independent and productive members of society.

The socialistic cultures become self defeating over time because it fosters a mentality in people that they are owed something by people who are better off than them. That they are somehow entitled to the fruits of other's hard work when they themselves are unwilling to put in the hard work themselves.

Eventually this type of society will lead to a demotivation of hard workers and entrepreneurs and a society that resents those who have become successful through hard work, sacrifice, and risk. Then that society cannot support itself any more.

Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.

We see this failed form of gov't happening all over Europe now and what it leads to: Bankruptcy and unrest among the inhabitants

I'll take the original ideals America was founded on any day. An opportunity for all that would better themselves to succeed

I would rather teach people how to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and help them to get there than create an environment that rewards the lazy and enables people to be lazy and self centered, thinking that they are owed something by society.

GP

[Sue23]

I personally enjoy the discussions. Thank-you!

I would love to see our country become constitutional again, you know like in the old days! My vote is clear cut since I have to pick between just these two.