Posted on 05/15/2012 11:25:06 AM PDT by Shout Bits
The greatest rock star is Frank Black (a.k.a. Black Francis) of Pixies and solo career fame (if you disagree, start your own blog). The next fan to stop him on the street should not ask about how he kicked ass making Tromp le Monde despite the Pixies imminent implosion; he should ask "you are rich, right?" The world is polluted with talentless hacks (i.e. Kardashians) who bank obscene sums, so justice demands that true trailblazers who actually contribute something should also be rich. It feels good to know a personal hero is living comfortably because identifying with success instills hope for oneself.
An entire journalism industry dedicates itself to following the lavish excesses of celebrities – their mansions, their six figure bar tabs, their DUI arrests. The wealth of such reporting sources suggests that many Americans are pleased that Johnny Depp is paid $20 million to wear bad makeup and slur his voice for a few weeks. People are very comfortable that George Clooney owns an Italian lake mansion and some sort of a pig for companionship. Why is it, then, that Gov. Romney is reviled for living a similarly privileged lifestyle?
Romney is a "Vulture," a "Vampire," a parasite to society. What did he ever do to deserve his wealth? Nobody should be paid that much. These are the sentiments held by the same people who think Britney Spears earned her money. In the 1920's, captains of industry were worshiped by the pubic just as movie stars are today. The dichotomy shows a failure of free market fans to educate the public on the process and the value of business.
The average OWS protestor thinks businessmen are an evil clan that does nothing to help society. Their membership is determined by heredity and race; they do no real work; they are inherently dishonest. Based on the stream of evil businessmen characters in entertainment, it is easy to understand why many feel this way.
Of course the opposite is true. Businessmen reach the top of their profession through skill and exceptional hard work. Over time, business rewards honesty. Most anyone who has a job can thank a businessman who created that opportunity. The occasional business crook is news, not the millions of businessmen who work hard every day to honestly earn a profit and coincidentally power the USA's economic engine.
Romney is actually a sympathetic figure. People who save some money want to invest it according to their goals and the constraints of how much risk they can bear. Within their constraints, investors want the best return possible, and they pay people like Romney to find the best investments. By applying capital only to the most efficient and profitable investments, Romney fulfilled the wishes of his investors. Along the way, he ensured that capital was not invested where it did not make sense. While layoffs can be tragic, the benefits of Romney's profession are a huge net positive, albeit hidden. And, yes, Romney was paid very well for being good at his profession.
The difference between the public's perception of a movie star and Romney is explained by education. The entertainment media constantly talks up the merits of entertainers' talents, hard work, and contributions. Even the Old Time Media regularly detour into sycophantic puff pieces on favored celebrities. Likewise, the OTM regularly bashes businessmen, focusing on the dark side of capitalism and ignoring its vast benefits as a pillar of liberty.
A few shows portray business somewhat positively (e.g. Shark Tank, How It's Made, Factory Made), but these shows are the exception. Of course business can be boring, and lights and makeup are exotic, but if Hollywood can make the most boring professions (i.e. lawyers and cops) dynamic, they can do the same to inventors and factory bosses. People who become rich are generally dynamic, interesting, and as worthy of the public's adoration as any celebrity. Turning the tide against the public's woeful ignorance of the value and honor of businessmen, including Romney, requires a new education about business itself. With 500 cable channels from which to choose, there is clearly room for the entertainment industry to profit while doing so.
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IB4TZ
J Mascis rocks more than Frank Black.
Never heard of them.
J Mascis is the frontman for legendary alternative band Dinosaur Jr.
Thanks, but I don’t know who they are either. ):
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