Public service rather than business experience is needed in government. Current business strategy is based on maximizing shareholder value rather than stakeholder value (read “The Rebirth of Stakeholder Capitalism” by Robert Reich). That means cutting costs to the bone and charging as much as possible to increase short-term profit. It has resulted in massive layoffs, wage and benefit cuts, adverse environmental impacts, increased warfare, privatization of public services, devastated communities and unparalleled wealth inequality.
Business spends obscene amounts of money lobbying and bribing Congress for subsidies, tax cuts and profit-increasing legislation. Government positions deserve more ethical and capable candidates who consider not just short-term profit, but also workers, the public, the environment and our communities. We need candidates who will work with businesses but hold them accountable, rather than accepting their bribes or succumbing to blackmail.
If you are always complaining about government, then point your finger at yourself for not electing candidates committed to stakeholders rather than shareholders. For-profit business experience is not what we need for nonprofit government.
Bob Donohoe
Vancouver
