Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
Tue Aug 28, 2018, 09:03 PM Aug 2018

Why I don't want a president who will "run the government like a business"

Businesses are dictatorships. Your boss tells you what to do, and their boss tells them what to do. You can (usually) be fired at will. Accountability, if there is any, comes from how much money the owners make.

You can see that Trump is longing to run the country like one of his (failed) businesses. Where he is the dictator, citizens immigrants can be fired at will, and it is all about the money he can drain out of it before it goes bankrupt.

I do not want a government run like a business. I do not want government run _by_ business.

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why I don't want a president who will "run the government like a business" (Original Post) ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 OP
One thing deliberately forgotten by people saying gubmnt should be run like a business Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2018 #1
those are brilliant points ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #2

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,787 posts)
1. One thing deliberately forgotten by people saying gubmnt should be run like a business
Tue Aug 28, 2018, 09:08 PM
Aug 2018

They deliberately do not say that one of the main principles of business it that you make money by spending money.

A well run government spends taxpayer money to support taxpayers so they can be productive and earn greater prosperity and enjoy life more. Good government spends on:

* Education so people have skills and wisdom (understanding) to be really productive.
* Health care so that illness is prevented, alleviated quickly, and people can spend more time gaining prosperity.
* Environment so that people are not debilitated by pollution.
* Consumer protection so that people don't have their life savings taken by crooks.
* Productive infrastructure such as public transportation for efficient movement of goods and services and people.

When you invest in the well-being of the People of the USA, the country remains competitive and a great place to live.

Also:
Raise taxes and lower spending when the economy is good.
Lower taxes and raise spending when the economy is bad and needs stimulus.

Democrats know this, but Republicons are aways on about lowering taxes no matter what, so they therefore spend up huge deficits.

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
2. those are brilliant points
Tue Aug 28, 2018, 09:14 PM
Aug 2018

businesses often will go in debt to invest in their own infrastructure, knowing that it will improve productivity and profits down the line. Why shouldn't the US do that as well?

that's another reason that the "government should be run like a household economy - you have a budget, shouldn't the government stick to one to?" argument also fails. Households, like the government, go into debt to invest in their own future - buy mortgaging a house, borrowing to pay for education, transportation, etc.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Why I don't want a presid...