The CEO Who Built Himself America’s Largest House Just Threatened to Fire His Employees if Obama�

Originally posted by Tw0Sides
reply to post by Nite_wing

 

Last attempt at Reason.

Lets say Romney does well , but falls short and is not Elected.

Is it right that these Thousands of Employees should lose their Livelyhood because of How OTHER People Voted?

Is it right to take money from someone who gave many years of his life to earn it at great sacrifice just because somebody want's a job at the other person's personal expense? What right do they have to demand a job in the first place?

reply to post by Nite_wing


Are you aware that there are restrictions to receive the "free phones" and that the telecom companies actually like them? That they make money from the program - and that the program is NOT tax funded?

Further, what does one hyperbolic lady in Cleveland have to do with anything other than a meme which seeks to create a stereotype that can then be exploited in place of rational debate. You'll notice that Mitt Romney isn't on podiums barking about the evils of Obamaphones. Hrmmm. Look Blue... A clue.

The rhetoric and misinformation is getting so thick this time around that I'm actually longing for the days of arguing against the birthers. At least they picked a lie and stuck with it. This time around? It's a new issue every day or two. And, even though the vast majority of it is absolutely manufactured or misrepresented? It becomes Gospel through repetition. I seriously worry about this country these days when anyone with a Youtube account, a blog, or a few bucks can have such an unbelievable influence on those who are too entrenched or lazy to simply use Google to fact check.

Scary stuff.

~Heff

reply to post by Hefficide


Yes, I am aware of the restrictions on the Obama phone.
I am aware you have to meet a certain income level to receive one.
I am aware the minutes are limited.
I am aware the minutes can be increased with a phone call.
I am aware that people want free stuff.
I am aware that they are vocal about it.
I am aware they want to take stuff from the people of have stuff.
I am aware that nearly half the country doesn't pay taxes.
I am aware that I pay taxes.
I am aware I resent helping those who won't help themselves.
I am also aware that socialism only benefits those in power. Eventually they take from everyone, including the poor to stay in power.
I am aware there are people who don't understand that fact.

Originally posted by Hefficide
The rhetoric and misinformation is getting so thick this time around that I'm actually longing for the days of arguing against the birthers. At least they picked a lie and stuck with it. This time around? It's a new issue every day or two. And, even though the vast majority of it is absolutely manufactured or misrepresented? It becomes Gospel through repetition. I seriously worry about this country these days when anyone with a Youtube account, a blog, or a few bucks can have such an unbelievable influence on those who are too entrenched or lazy to simply use Google to fact check.

~Heff

I sometimes worry about moderators.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


This guy isn't like you and I are. I owned a small business and never got rich. I enjoyed what I was doing though and still made a living but worked for 12 hrs a day and six days a week. This guy made a billion dollars, I can't compare my business to his. I didn't think it was legal for an employer to send a letter out to his employees like that to try to force them to vote a certain way. I guess it's another government corruption I wasn't aware of. Time to take all the laws that protect deceit out of our legal system.

reply to post by Resurected


This is sickening. It sounds like he's just mad that he couldn't finish his 90,000sft home. (why would anyone need a house that big anyways? oh, I guess he wants to be the next Secret Society type)

I guess he's just a jerky CEO.

reply to post by Nite_wing


You made twelve distinct statements, Four of them were factually accurate, seven were opinion, and one was inaccurate.

Everyone in the US pays taxes. To single out FICA and ignore all other taxes is disingenuous and false.

~Heff

Originally posted by Nite_wing

Originally posted by Tw0Sides
reply to post by Nite_wing

 

Last attempt at Reason.

Lets say Romney does well , but falls short and is not Elected.

Is it right that these Thousands of Employees should lose their Livelyhood because of How OTHER People Voted?

Is it right to take money from someone who gave many years of his life to earn it at great sacrifice just because somebody want's a job at the other person's personal expense? What right do they have to demand a job in the first place?

Read the OP, you wont sound so clueless.
Who the Hell is trying to TAKE his Money, and where is money mentioned in the OP?????
They HAVE jobs, working in his Company.
Their doing their JOBS, made this guy a Billion Dollars.

Really do love how the supposed article got twisted to "hes just a greedy censored "and it clearly says in bold print:

If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, as our current President plans, I will have no choice but to reduce the size of this company

Simple business 101 when it takes more to keep the doors open than they take in you either lay off people or go bankrupt and then everyone is out of a job.

Carry on with the vilification with a rich dude.

Ps any new taxes are levied this guy isn't the only one who is going to be laying off people.

reply to post by neo96


As I pointed out here this dude said the following:

"The economy doesn't currently pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is another 4 years of the same Presidential administration. Of course, as your employer, I can't tell you whom to vote for, and I certainly wouldn't interfere with your right to vote for whomever you choose," the letter reads.

emphasis mine

He undermines his own "excuse" in a single sentence. It's not about the economy. It's about who wins the Presidency. IN HIS OWN WORDS.

That seems pretty hard to justify or defend - as far as his motives go.

Personally? His money, his company. He can do what he wants. But the 6,500 people that he sent the letter to? Without them he's got nothing but a car without a motor.

Oh, and the CNN report has this little snippet:

Siegel actually has been hiring in recent years

Source

It appears that his business suffered from the '07, '08 hit just like almost everyone did. But it is regrowing.

The real issue? From the same source:

He acknowledged his 90,000-square foot home now under construction in the letter. The home is the subject of a critical documentary, "The Queen of Versailles."
Siegel said he was forced to stop work on the home four years ago because he had to pour all his money back into the company during the lean years, but that he's ready to start work on the home again -- assuming Obama is defeated.
"If the wrong people stay in power, I'll have to stop it again," he told CNNMoney. "I don't see a good future."

Millionaire/billionaire temper tantrums look just like the ones regular folks throw... once you strip away the trappings and shiny stuff.

~Heff

Originally posted by Nite_wing
reply to post by Hefficide

 

Yes, I am aware of the restrictions on the Obama phone.
I am aware you have to meet a certain income level to receive one.
I am aware the minutes are limited.
I am aware the minutes can be increased with a phone call.
I am aware that people want free stuff.
I am aware that they are vocal about it.
I am aware they want to take stuff from the people of have stuff.
I am aware that nearly half the country doesn't pay taxes.
I am aware that I pay taxes.
I am aware I resent helping those who won't help themselves.
I am also aware that socialism only benefits those in power. Eventually they take from everyone, including the poor to stay in power.
I am aware there are people who don't understand that fact.

then you should also be aware that ...

more than 80% of Americans meet that income level.
many don't use all the minutes provided.
ppl trade stuff for free everyday, what's different?
everyone in this country pays taxes, daily.
resentment leads to bitterness and a greater sense of entitlement.
socialism and social justice are not the same thing.
opinions are welcome

Originally posted by Tw0Sides
reply to post by Resurected

 

The Guy is a Jerk.

Even Romney supporters will agree to this.

He is bullying his employees, They should call a Laywer, maybe the Employees will end up sitting under a Palm Tree.

Not really though.

He is letting them know ahead of time what exactly his plans are.

He has a long term plan and thinks days, months, years ahead/ in advance.

If Obama stays president he might not be able to employ all the people he currently does and make the profit he wants.

The same profit that allows him to create other jobs.

reply to post by Hefficide

"If the wrong people stay in power, I'll have to stop it again," he told CNNMoney. "I don't see a good future."

I don't see a good future with 4 more of the same.

reply to post by Hefficide

it sounds alot like voter intimidation to me.
this guy really isn't all the msm is making him out to be, honest.

as an employee, i would be securing a contract, in writing, guaranteeing consistent and equivalent or greater employment during the entirety of the new term, should Obama lose.

both sides can play this silly game
this is a classic example of why "right to work" states aren't all they're portrayed to be.

Originally posted by neo96
I don't see a good future with 4 more of the same.

But the article also says:

But just months ago, he restarted construction on his personal Palace of Versailles (with the intention of selling it for $100 million) and told Reuters, "We're the most profitable we've ever been."

Which means the current 4 have not been detrimental but in fact, it would seem, that they have been beneficial. So where is his basis for believing that 4 more would force him to downsize? I mean they have been in business for 30 years and the Obama administration seems to, according to his own words, have been better for him than even Reagan's.

reply to post by rickymouse

Okay, I'll certainly agree we can't compare our business to his by sheer numbers and scale. If he'd been born into wealth, I'd also have less heart for what he has to say. It doesn't change right/wrong, but it does effect my personal choice in caring or not. I read over the letter and in it, it would seem to indicate he started at the same humble level we are.

So...it's not a matter of comparing where he is now, but given the start, it's fair to say that had things gone well either of us could have gotten there ourselves. The last guy I worked for in trucking had 4 trucks and barely making it work when I started for him. He had 30 and growing when I left. I know by rough figuring, he was handling millions....though I don't know how much he made.

It's just a simple principle thing, IMO. Even here people use the amount he has as the biggest point. What business is it of ours what his literal worth is unless that mere fact makes him a bad guy these days? That's really the point.....it seems the accumulation of wealth over a life time is coming to be defined by leaders as hoarding wealth at the expense of others.

It's a scary scary direction to see things going as there is no defined bottom to how low that's used to define the "Them" we're now constantly being made to feel we should be mad at and blame for everything.

reply to post by Nite_wing


I think this is a good example of where our country is right now, politically, socially, and economically. I started paying my first taxes in 1968 and every single year since. I have never been above 50K income level. I liked being a worker rather than an owner and always knew I would never be rich. But, I really never minded paying taxes. I am dead set against wars, two brothers drafted to Viet Nam, but I did not protest and still paid my taxes. I hated Bush and Cheney for their lying wars, but I did not protest and still paid my taxes. Whiney creeps like this man make me sick.

reply to post by Resurected


First, I have to say the arrogance and hypocrisy of that man is astounding! He seems to think that he faces the same challenges as his employees? Yeah, I'm sure they're all having a terrible time trying to decide what color the second swimming pool should be, or how they'll paint the thirtieth bathroom

The fact that he even suggests that he's "struggling" makes me feel sick, and I can guarantee that his employees will feel exactly the same.

My response to him would be simple...

1. Separation of religion and state.

2. Separation of corporation and state.

3. No more tours of the country for those running for office or those seeking to keep their job.

4. No promotion of a party by a business or individual, to do so results in a fine and prosecution. Leave people alone to make their own decision based on the plans each politician proposes.

5. Each candidate is invited to participate in three debates which will be televised live across all major networks. The public will be invited to pose questions on the most important issues facing the country.

6. Each person in the country gets one vote for the person they believe will do the better job. No party cheer-leading, no coercion, no blackmail, no demands and no BS.

It really is that simple. People need to LISTEN to what these politicians will do to fix a problem, and if the people agree, they'll vote for them, if not, they wont. The circus we now have (wherever you are) of kissing babies and telling people in Ass-end Alabama what they want to hear is not working. It's a waste, it's insulting, it's embarrassing and it only serves to disappoint and increase the distrust people have in their leaders.

This game has to end, these people do not need to be funded, and individuals have NO PLACE telling other people how they think they should be voting.

Voting needs to go back to being a deeply private matter, perhaps then people will be considering the opinions of their potential leaders rather than following whichever team has the loudest crowd or more cash.

reply to post by Honor93


City, county, state, and federal taxes on a bottle of wine, a pack of cigarettes, or a blunt doesn't really count as "income tax,"

I have read his letter to his employees and while I agree that it appears to a gross abuse of power over his employees...it also appears to be something far more sinister. PROPAGANDA for Romney. He knew or pulled all of the strings necessary to make into the MSM. The letter was supposed to make it to the masses and not just his employees. A clever game that anyone can play if they have the right connections.

What I really liked was the fact that it is an admitted modification of another letter. I took the liberty to further modify it to test it further. The template seemed to make a compelling argument. Sometimes an argument that I had a hard time not listening to. With all of that being said, I have arrived at the conclusion that modifications to the original by way of inserting personal experiences made this letter once again seem relevant and compelling but with a very different message in the end. Here it is:

To My Valued Family Members/Friends and Associates,

As all of you know our Family, The xxxxxxx’s, have continued to struggle due to a very dismal economy. There is no question that the economy has changed for the worse and we have not seen any improvement over the past forty years. In spite of all of the challenges we have faced, and overcome, the bad news is this: The economy does currently pose a threat to my job/business. What threatens our welfare, is another 4 years of the same lack of choices in this up and coming election and the 1% who will continue to manipulate “the people” and the very system that was built by families just like ours to protect people just like us. Of course, as your Father/Husband/Friend and Associate, I can tell you that I will not be forced or duped into casting a ballot for any of the presidential candidates currently running for office. In fact, I am encouraging everyone that I know to vote for ‘none of the above’ because there are no candidates that serve the best interests of the people.

Let me share a few facts that might help you understand what is in our best interest as a family and as a community. The current administration, the 1% and members of the press have perpetuated an environment that casts the rich against the poor. I want you to understand that we live in a class system where the rich get richer, the poor get poorer. They label us the "99%" and imply that we are somehow responsible for the challenges that face our country. This could not be further from the truth. Sure, you may have heard about our family home that the bank is foreclosing on but still many people think that I live a privileged life because I own a small family-run business. However, what they don't see or hear is the true story behind any success that our family has achieved.

My grandparents started this company over 90 years ago. At that time, they lived in a very modest home. During the early 1900’s they converted the attic into another bedroom so that 12 members of our extended family could sleep there as they had lost everything during The Great Depression. My grandparents and the following generations in our family put forth 110% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ me. We didn't eat in fancy restaurants or take expensive vacations because every dollar that we made went back into this company because our government was taxing the business to an almost certain death. I drove an old used car, and often times, I slept in it. While our family was working 20-hour days stocking shelves and cleaning, the 1% went out drinking and partying. In fact, our family business was part of our family and it required hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. Meanwhile, our government and the global elite were hard at work creating more laws and taxes that insure that no matter how hard we worked, we would never really get any further than where we were at the moment. The Government and the Global Elite worked very little and made huge incomes, and they spent every dime they earned plus every dime that we paid in taxes. They drive flashy cars and live in expensive homes and wear fancy designer clothes. Some of these people were so cash rich that they didn’t even have mortgages. They lived a life of luxury...and when the economy got really bad and the debt was too much of a liability for them, they borrowed more money and bailed out the people who had spent all of our country’s money. Our family, however, did not get any money from this bailout because the hard-working poor people were considered by our government to be non-contributing members of the populace. (continued)