Why Trump? The Difference Between a Politician and a Businessman

The United States 2016 presidential campaign has had many surprises.  I laugh at political analyst and their attempts to explain what is happening.  My daughter and I have spent a few hours discussing and trying to figure out why and how so many people will vote for an arrogant, fowl mouthed, and self-centered candidate, and why the other party doesn’t have any young fresh ideas.  The frustration of not knowing the direction of our country hits us hard.  Then, recently the thought occurred to me the reason for how the votes are cast is due to the difference between a politician and a businessman.

     So I ask the question, “What is the difference between a politician and a businessman?”

     My mother-in-law would be quick to let anyone know that a politician is “a snake in the grass.”  We laughed about it, but let’s take a look at this description.  Good men run for office because they want to make a change and help their state and nation.  Then, they arrive in Washington and are washed away with lobbyist and special interest groups with promises of financial support.  Unfortunately, money is needed to run for office and keep up the life style of Washington.  Many of these new arrivals fall into the hands and control of the lobbyist who are controlled by special groups with lots of money to buy power and votes.  The good man is bitten by the poison of money and transforms into “a snake in the grass.”

    The other evil is the power of the two political parties.  In the House of Representatives and the Senate, there is a battle of power raging between the two parties.  The news reports about a bill is more like a sporting event of which team will win.  It is not about what the people want or need, but who wins.  They are not working together for the good of the people, but for the good of the party.  As a citizen, I’m tired of hearing “voting alone party lines.”  This is telling me that the party is controlling our government, not “we the people.”  They want the parties support and financial backing, so the pressure is to vote how the party dictates.  I admired Marco Rubio for reaching over party lines to improve immigration policy.  He did not do it to draw attention to himself, but for the people.  Not like another candidate that did everything in the Senate to make a show which I felt was only for his next step to the presidency.   The power of an individual or the power of a party is dominating our political process, not what will be best for the country.

    The power of the votes has threatened both political parties.  Also, it is the power of the people this year who are choosing a businessman over politicians.  And, what is the difference?  Let’s look at businessmen.

    A businessman knows that it takes quality to make money.   My husband worked with a company that focused on quality.  Along with the concept of quality was to be good to the customer and to be honest.  It is about the customer, because it is the customer that gives the profit.  If you make a promise to the customer, you keep it.  In addition, a good businessman takes care of his employees.  Without good employees making quality products, there will be no profit.  So, a good businessman will give good salaries and benefits to good employees who help him create a good product.  This is a businessman of integrity and honesty.

    A businessman is always watching how money is spent within the company and looking for new ideas for improvement to serve the customer while saving money.  In other words, the businessman watches every dime because it is about profit.   He will encourage employees to look for ways to improve and save money.  As an employee, I know that when I save money there will be more profit and a better raise for the next year, so I strive to improve my performance and help the company.   We become a team.  My company treats me like a member of the team.  This is what a good businessman promotes in his business, a good team to build the business with a good product.

    The difference is that our political process in the United States no longer serves the country but a few for their own profit without anything to show for the money spent.   The politician becomes someone who is a slave to the party, where the good businessman is a leader of a company of people who come together to create a good product for a profit to them all. 

    In the end, I see that “we the people” no longer trust the government.  The politicians have failed “we the people” by selling themselves out to special interest groups.   They use our tax dollars carelessly to meet the desires of special interest, not for the good of the United States.  A headline in The New York Times tonight reads, “Hillary Clinton Warns Against Treating Donald Trump as ‘Normal’ Candidate” by Amy Chozich.  Thank you for helping Donald Trump with his campaign by pointing out that Mr. Trump is a businessman and not a “crooked” politician. You see, there is a difference and “we the people” see it.

(Note that I’m an independent and have not decided on a candidate.  I’ve been disappointed by Trump’s campaign, but he was smart enough to know that there are not enough real Christian Evangelicals to win a nomination.  For me, this is sad and shows how our country and world is changing. However, I do see Trump as a man who wants to improve the economy of the country he loves.  He is very naïve about foreign policy and other issues, but if he will listen, think before speaking, and pick a good cabinet, he may be able to pull it off.  Again, I am undecided.)