Corporate priority is not creating jobs. Corporate priority is creating profits.

[Beartracks]

It alarms me that Republicans cling to this notion that a "successful businessman" can "turn the country around" financially because, frankly, the knowledge, skills, and abilities involved don't overlap as much they think.

What is the simplest way to make people understand this -- that is, to make them understand that "business experience" is not directly transferable to government leadership?

----------------------

[bongbong]

1. Excellent meme to repeat ad infinitum

> Corporate priority is not creating jobs. Corporate priority is creating profits.

Democrats & Liberals have to keep combating the lies and "common sense" Talking Points (AKA more lies) from the corporate shills, corporate Koch suckers & corporate sheep.

[randome]

2. Corporations are mindless greed machines.

That's not a bad thing any more than a hammer is a bad thing.

But it's why we need laws and regulations keeping them in check.

[Initech]

5. Unregulated capitalism is going to destroy us all - it's already doing a good job.

And if the Koch POS's keep buying governments and stacking the courts in their favor - expect things to get far worse than they already are.

[Zalatix]

15. That's not a bad thing any more than sociopathy is a bad thing.

[moondust]

4. Doonesbury.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002849884

[Beartracks]

7. Yes, that tells it like it is.

Setting and pursuing public goals are not at all the same as setting and pursuing business goals.

Businesses have to make money through their goods or services.

Governments don't.

Why?

In private sector, profit is the goal. Even if you start a business with the idea of providing goods or services that will change the world for the better, if it can't make money then the business won't succeed.

In public sector, the service IS the goal. Taxes are levied to ensure that there is revenue to pay for the achievement of the goal.

============

[Moral Compass]

6. The purpose of government vs. the purpose of corporations...

You're right. The purpose of any corporation is not creating jobs, but producing profit. Corporations produce jobs as a by-product of their activities. Any company that could do create profits without employees, a smaller number of employees, or really, really low paid employees will always do so. That's why there has been a steady flow of jobs overseas even though the actual process of moving those jobs, building plants, recruiting and training employees is very expensive. The lower labor costs are that compelling. We can't ever expect a corporation to behave with civic virtue.

This really points to why we even have government. Governments exist so that we do the things for the our nations/cities/counties/regions that companies would never ever do. That I often hear that if we would only give business yet more concessions that then they will then recreate all those vanished jobs amazes me. We so often fall in with the right wing meme that government would be improved if only it was more business like. And, this really points out how dangerous it is to have businesses allowed to use their huge money resources to distort the political process to create a legal and regulatory environment that favors their interests.

The interests of many corporations are usually in direct conflict with the interests of the citizens of any country/community. So, as the interests of the general corporate world have been codified into law, we've seen a direct erosion of the things that would directly benefit almost any citizen: stable and growing tax revenues due to a healthy tax base; sensible and progressive tax rates, effective financial and banking regulation; enforcement of anti-trust laws; tariffs to protect the manufacturing base; tax policies that discourage off shoring; a robust EPA... Etcetera.

What corporations want and what the citizens want are usually distinctly different.

What is constantly amazing is hearing people (real ones) on both sides of the argument contending that companies 'want' to create jobs. Companies have always hired so that they can do the things that make them profit. That's all they exist for. That will never change.

[Beartracks]

10. I know - the whole the-deficit-makes-me-too-nervous-to-hire BS.

Deficits ballooned under GW Bush. I don't recall hearing this BS line during his term.

=========================

[Avalux]

8. Simplest way? They have to experience it.

It may mean Romney gets elected, runs the federal govt like a company he just took over, guts it and renders it ineffective so that people lose what little they may have (medicare, ss) and we all become serfs to the ruling class.

I doubt anyone who lost their job working for a company Bain took over will be voting for Romney. They understand.

Of course, until the fallout of a Romney presidency are fully realized and people finally understand, Romney will probably be dead of old age.

[Beartracks]

12. And then... and then... they'll still blame the mythical minority teet-sucker.

'Cause that's easier than admitting you got duped.

===================

[GeorgeGist]

9. Profit ...

is why freeloaders steal labor.

[Wild_Dog]

11. Capitalist aka “Capitalusurer” do not work!

Complete thought here;
http://beauproductions.com/usworld/forum/index.php/topic,1125.msg2589.html#msg2589

[YellowRubberDuckie]

13. Yes.

If you're making RECORD profits, you no longer need government subsidies. Especially when you haven't hired anyone in years.

[Beartracks]

14. They still seem to hire Americans... as lobbyists! n/t