If You're In Business; You're In Politics

I am usually not much of a political animal. My mind began to change several years ago when I introduced Steve Bercu, the founder of the nationally acclaimed independent bookstore Book People at a professional's business lunch. At the time he had just come through a harrowing experience of having to deal with the political machinations of the City of Austin. He made a statement that day that has stuck with me ever since.
  He too mentioned that he was not nor ever intended to be involved with politics but that he found "if you own a business...you're in politics." The upshot of it is...decisions are going to be made by others that are going to impact you whether you like it or not. You need to look no further than the current economic climate to see that for yourself.
  In his case, he had to get involved in the political process to keep his business from being put at a huge  disadvantage by the decisions of mindless politicians who were about to allow a nationally recognized corporate Goliath to move in across the street and likely dessimate his business--perhaps put him out of business. He had to DO something...so he took on city hall and won.
  Now I'm not suggesting we all go grab burning torches and march up the stairs to Congress. No, I'd hate to give them all that free publicity. However, it IS important to keep ever vigilant. It is just the nature of the place...the people in power are going to do what THEY want to do and pay the citizenry whatever lip service they think they can pay to the public and still get away with it. You've heard that old adage...fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me....Well that certainly applies here. Maybe we were asleep at the switch...but now we know what will happen if we don't make them accountable. We need to always be watching.
  The new stimulus package is going to get railroaded through Congress while most Americans know it is not going to immeadiately stimulate anything and it is so full of pork...it is disgusting.  Those people up there in Congress who are supposed to be looking out for you and me have given pork a bad name.
  I believe in the little guy--in the entreprenuer. My friend Thom Singer feels the same way and says it more elequently than I in his blog  http://thomsinger.blogspot.com/2009/02/economic-stimulus-package-needs-to.html 
  It is refreshing to know that I am not the only one who believes in the little guy...the entreprenuer. This country (Texas too) was built by people who fufilled dreams. They made this land great with their own two hands, sweat equity and a burning desire to succeed. What is any different about our current economic client. It will ultimately be resolved from the grassroots...from the bottom up...NOT the top down. It will the little guys with dreams and desire that will haul our buns from the fire. My sleeves are already rolled up. How can I help?  In the meantime, take care of your precious selves. I appreciate your comments.  Agree or disagree...that's my point of view...what's yours?

Comments

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[Tweed Scott]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm not talking about rocket science. I admit to leaning toward the conservative side. I'm not a raving lunatic fanatic but I am seriously worried about our future. As someone who was not the least bit interested in politics it finally came to me that if I don't speak up I WILL be run over. I have a real problem with people who try to "protect me" from me. Thank you for your comments.