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Government doesn’t do much for Wynn … or does it?
Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 | 2 a.m.
STEVE MARCUS / LAS VEGAS SUN FILE
Casino developer and owner Steve Wynn says that at least for now, government policies should focus on fostering economic growth and job creation. He favors tax cuts over additional government spending.
Steve Wynn on Fox News
In Today's Sun
Sun Archives
- Gaming execs credit stimulus with saving Nevada jobs (10-22-2009)
- Wynn still critical of Obama administration (7-30-2009)
- Wynn: Stimulus plan won’t solve city’s woes (4-10-2009)
- Wynn: Obama’s remarks bad for convention business (2-26-2009)
Sun Coverage
Las Vegas casino magnate Steve Wynn has lately been sounding a bit like his arch rival, Sheldon Adelson, the tough-talking owner of Las Vegas Sands who doubles as Republican fundraiser and conservative ideologue.
First on “Face to Face With Jon Ralston” in April, and then again Oct. 10 on “Fox News Sunday,” Wynn launched a series of tough attacks on the policies of President Barack Obama.
He says the Obama administration has turned to government intervention to get the economy going when it should have been cutting taxes. Wynn then summed up his political philosophy: “Government has never increased the standard of living of one single human being in civilization’s history.”
A provocative statement, and one that no doubt brought a smile to the face of the Fox producers for the buzz it generated among the press, the public and politicos.
But is it true?
Wynn refines his position
To test Wynn’s broad assertion, the Sun interviewed economists and asked a more specific question: How has government increased the standard of living of Steve Wynn personally?
After just a few of their examples were cited to Wynn last week, he refined his position some: Government, he acknowledges, does good and important things, but is fueled entirely by industry, commerce and a productive citizenry, and that’s where the focus of government policy should be.
Wynn’s backpedaling was triggered after the economists interviewed by the Sun examined government’s role in Wynn’s prosperity.
Let’s start at the beginning: Many of Wynn’s tourists book their rooms on the Internet.
Where does the Internet come from?
No, not Al Gore. It comes from the Pentagon.
The Internet as we know it is derived from 1970s-era computer science of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which was launched to do research after the Sputnik scare.
(Government often funds research like this, through universities and institutions such as DARPA and the National Institutes of Health, because there’s no incentive for the free market to finance it — it’s too expensive, and there’s no guaranteed revenue even if the research is successful.)
Once those Internet denizens make a reservation at Wynn’s resorts, many will get in their cars in Southern California and travel on Interstate 15 to get here.
University of Nevada, Reno, economist Elliott Parker notes that the Interstate Highway System was an idea hatched by the administration of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and is owned, operated and maintained by the government. (Also worth noting: Eisenhower was on the government dole when he saved civilization from the Nazis.)
More government help
The tourists get here safely thanks to the highway patrol officers of Nevada and California. The motorists buy gas that is brought here from foreign lands in giant tankers that have the implicit protection of the United States Navy.
Tourists who arrive by airplane use Clark County government’s McCarran International Airport; air traffic controllers, security personnel and air marshals are employees of the federal government.
Government has also propped up aerospace companies such as Boeing with big military contracts.
Once the tourists are here, government helps Wynn serve them in all kinds of ways.
“He doesn’t have to teach his employees to make change,” says Bill Robinson, a UNLV economist.
Or count to 21.
Parker explains that slot machines are the result of sophisticated engineering. International Game Technology engineers arrive for the first day of work with thousands of dollars of public education. If the company had to educate its engineers itself, it would have to charge more for its machines — money right out of Wynn’s pocket.
The Strip couldn’t serve its expensive, socially lubricating cocktails without the valley’s sophisticated water and sewer system. In fact, “Would Las Vegas exist without Hoover Dam?” Parker says.
What’s certain is that our main water source is Lake Mead, which is there only because of the Hoover Dam, that giant project of the federal government.
Slot machine users are often seniors spending their Social Security checks in Wynn’s resorts. Many of them are alive only because of medication whose origins were a molecule reacting against another in a government-financed lab.
Police, courts aid casinos
Metro police are certainly helpful to Wynn. How long, after all, would it be before a mob started looting Wynn’s casinos if there were no government agents — police officers — to stop them?
“Probably not very long,” Robinson says dryly.
Perhaps that’s why Wynn bundled at least $40,000 in contributions for Sheriff Doug Gillespie’s 2006 campaign.
Clark County District Attorney David Roger is also helpful to Wynn. Nevada has a law that allows district attorneys such as Roger to investigate unpaid gambling markers as if they were bad checks. So when former NBA star Charles Barkley owed Wynn $400,000, Wynn was able to turn up the heat by persuading Roger to open a criminal investigation. Wynn got paid.
This goes to a larger point, Robinson says: “When he signs a contract, it exists and can be enforced because of the court system.”
Robinson refers to the godfather of capitalism: “That’s one of Adam Smith’s big points — you need government to enforce contracts and protect property rights.”
Nevada’s sophisticated gambling regulatory regime might feel intrusive to Wynn, but it actually helps him — the strict licensing requirements restrict Wynn’s competition. Not any old Joe can set up a poker table on the sidewalk outside Encore.
How Wynn says he sees it
In a spirited telephone interview about the economists’ arguments, Wynn proffered: “The government’s ability to fund anything is based on its collection of revenue from citizens who earn an income. The only way government got a dime — and there are constructive and appropriate activities of government — is from the productive activities of people and business.”
No economy, no government, Wynn says.
“My point is that in the larger economic sense, government produces nothing. It gets revenue from citizens and companies ... The wealth of the nation comes from the citizens and the productivity of citizens and business. That is the engine of the standard of living.”
But would there be any free market, any productive economy, without government and civil society? After all, he’s not about to open a casino in Somalia.
There seems to be a chicken and egg problem here.
“No, the egg came first,” he says excitedly.
The egg, in Wynn’s view, is this: Productive people want some law and order, and have the means to pay for it, so they form a government. In any case, as for now, all government policies, Wynn says, should be directed toward fostering economic growth and job growth.
Wynn says the Obama administration’s policies have failed in this effort miserably, and he plans on being active in next year’s election to reverse course.
Discussion: 60 comments so far…
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Wynn is a typical greedy wealthy man who loves the rightwing because all they care about is the top 2% of the country.
During Bill Clinton's Presidency millions of people's standard of living improved. More people moved into the middle income bracket and those already in the middle bracket greatly improved their standard. But that's not all, the top 2% got even wealthier too. Clinton's economic policies helped ALL THE PEOPLE IN EVERY INCOME BRACKET.
Poor Wynn, because the economy went bad long before Obama, little Stevie made only 50 million instead of $60 Million. Don't you all feel bad for him? He is the epitome of Greed,he would make Gordon Gecko proud.
Wynn needs to shut up about Obama and how bad his finances are since Obama became President, he's just telling the world what he is, a greedy pig.
And by the way Stevie, Obama cut the taxes for 95% of the people, you're just p.o'd that he didn't lower it for rich guys like you even though your boy Bush took care of you guys when he became President. I think Obama should follow through on what he proposed to raise the taxes 3 percent for those making over $250,000 and by the way Wynn that would bring it to the same level the other rightwing hero Reagan had it at. You guys didn't bltch then. How come?
Al Gore said he invented the internet so it must be true.........
Successful Strategic Business Formulas during Bush Administration:
(1.) Chinese Devaluation of Currency = Higher Baccarat Handle
(2.) Chinese Devaluation of Currency = More American Gaming Investment in Macau, Less American Gaming Jobs Investment and Personal Savings
It is correct that China in some ways is doing a better job in "recent years" in managing their economy, society and economic growth.
They allow one child per family to put a governor on population growth, whether we agree with that or not.
They have placed limitations on visits to Macau, certainly after provincial government officials were discovered to have gambled away government funding. The Chinese put some of those officials to death, whether we agree with that or not.
The Chinese Party is ethical and will not allow American hospitality-gaming corporations based in Nevada to become international brands on the backs of their citizens. That seems reasonable and fair, both to Americans and Chinese citizens.
American citizens likewise have needs at home, beyond two wars, tax cuts for the wealthy, branded Vegas pool parties and late night gaming, i.e. the "Bush-Cheney Cocktail".
But Nevada will come back with such strong-unique property assets on the ground, hopefully with a better public-private structure for improved sustainance.
As to "new job creation", Vegas is today creating over 12,000 new jobs in a down market at the largest privately financed property in the country, a world showplace other American cities cannot afford the luxury of providing both infrastructure and huge tax abatements to empty tax couffiers to develop!
The problems in Nevada have never been about creating the same megaresort job over and over, and these problems today did not manifest overnight.
Today's Nevada problems have always been about the state history of kingship (no diversity in leadership-vision), no job diversity, recent unchecked growth-boom in the same jobs over and over that was unwise and not affordable (see foreclosures, gaming bankruptcies and related financial shuffles, personal bankruptcies), antiquated tax structure (see banks for starters), bottom dweller social nets, poor healthcare outcomes, poor education outcomes, and regional and local transportation that has tailed behind actual growth.
It has been so easy, and so good, for so long, what with Chinese currency devaluation and operating next door to California growth with a gaming license.
It's sobering, and it's real, but those who live and die by stating "let the market run it's course" are recognizing it's not all good, all the time. So, they are selling their stake, and want federal funding-incentives to restart consumer spending, at a time when American savings rates are not good at all.
steverino is upset because he lost his good pals bush and cheney; now he has to "work" for a living like the rest of us. his complaints are typical from the rich class he belongs to.
you gotta be kidding me. oh sorry it is all about me[wynn]. up yours, guy who ruined vegas. whales, foreign players, expensive crap. of course you have 40% of the country brainwashed, idiot followers who have nothing.
Great article Pat. I am going to send this to Keith and Rachel.
Wynn ruined Las Vegas? You have to be kidding me and must be new to town. Wynn gave this city a vision and focus that allowed it to prosper. You want Old Vegas? Go downtown and see how that's working out. Wynn speaks the truth and you want to kill the messenger. Of course, what do you expect from a liberal. Look at BO and his attack on Fox. Fox exposes Acorn and now BO wants to censure them. Just a guess, but Wynn probably knows a bit more about business than all of the liberals on this board combined.
Go, vpin. Gambling enterprises in other parts of the country pay higher taxes than ours. Those states don't come in at "the bottom of all the good lists," as Dina Titus put it. When uneducated, easily-replaced casino workers make twice as much as teachers who we are chronically short of, when the public defenders are chronically overwhelmed, when we have the poorest mental health care out there, etc., while at the same time casinos are raking it in, then we need a business tax change. And not just for casinos. Don't give us the "the economy will dry up" story. Other places have higher/more business taxes, aren't going through the depression we are, and are better places to live. We also need to diversify, which takes better education, which takes taxes. The middle class can't take any more; the highest-level pigs - many who are like ghosts in our world because they're so, so rich - need to share the wealth they accumulated under the Bush dynasty.
Ignore planetearthcalling's ignorant statement about Al Gore as it is sarcasm with no substance. See here for actual facts:
http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.as...
Whining and complaining liberals, but not for the taxes paid from us working; you wouldn't be receiving you monthly paycheck or freebies afforded to you from our taxes.
And but not for the taxes paid there wouldn't be any Government services and you career welfare blood sucking freeloaders who've ruined for the ones truly in need. We need the public services that we pay for to keep you career welfare blood suckers from pilfering from us that choose to work, not steal, rob, or bring harm to others.
So quit asking for something you haven't earned; you'll never attain wealth from the system, wealth is attained from hard work and working the system, not welfare but working. If you not happy with your lifestyle choices then change it and don't expect us to provide it to you, we earned what we have and we're not giving to you.
Wynn hit the spot, cut taxes and you Democrats can get off the system and find a jobs as they will be created and the truly intelligent people will make money and create a better lifestyle for their hard work.
Wynn has seen the last dollar I will ever spend in one of his joints. Can't figure out his business strategy in alienating members of this area's majority political party. Ta ta, Wynnie!
I would listen to Mr. Wynn over Mr. Obama any day.
Wynn gets a lot from the government. And not just the U.S. government. He gets help from the Chinese government.
His casino in Macau makes mega-profits because the Chinese government artificially restricts entry into that market by handing out only a few licenses.
What a hypocrite! He condemns Obama for involvement in the economy while at the same time he sings the praises of the murderous Chinese regime. The Chinese government is nothing if not heavily involved in the economy.
He doesn't have to teach his employees to make change," says Bill Robinson, a UNLV economist.
Or count to 21"
True .. most of them learned to count in Mexican schools so we need to thank our government for looking the other way!
"Slot machine users are often seniors spending their Social Security checks in Wynn's resorts"
False.... who makes enough on social security to afford to go to a strip casino?
I guess once upon a time Steve Wynn was the most powerful figure in Nevada, but now he sounds like a fool. "Government has never increased the standard of living of one single human being in civilization's history"? Then why the heck does he buy off so many Nevada pols? Obviously they're helping his standard of living somehow.
vpin & gunowners4obama are right. It's about time Nevada's working families get a break. Our government should be working for us, not just well connected casino magnates.
If I were Steve Wynn I would zero out my advertising budget for the LV Sun for this hit piece.
this proud liberal democrat will never step foot in the venetian, the palazzo, the wynn, or the encore ever again...
besides...
you always seem to have a blast at caesars!!!
If I were The LV Sun, I'd stop writing "friendly" stories and giving free advertising for Wynn Resorts.
And birdie-
I don't know. Las Vegas Sands (Venetian/Palazzo) is anti-worker and all around far right, so don't bother spending money there. However to be fair, Wynn & Encore are union properties and Wynn Resorts just earned a 100% score on this year's HRC Corporate Equality Index. But then again so has Harrah's (which owns Caesars), so maybe you are better off going there. Don't forget to try Rao's some time and tell us how good the food is! :-D
Is it just me or is Steve Wynn starting to look and act like Bob Stupak? I remember when Stupak use to act this way in a local media. But was we know Steve Wynn, he has to do it on a grander scale: the national media.
No wonder Las Bugsy is in such BIG trouble with great "thinkers" like this...
Perhaps this clown has a plan to refill Lake Mead which is the keystone to ALL survival there.
When it does go dry in just a few years, he can/will blame Pres O instead of his long-time buddy Sinator Gried who has had 30 years to get Las Bugsy more water. Such is the thought patterns of an absolute idiot.
Just goes to show what too much Botox will do to an already challenged brain....
So it seems like rich guy Wynn and others here forget which party for the last 8 years brought America to the twisting spinning vortex of the financial toilet bowl. It was the Republicans because with them its all about the money. Our economic woes were all in place when Obama took office thanks to the Bush/Cheney Crime Family. Wynn is just one of the elite who likes his tax cut to the wealthy, and fears losing it. Short memories people, look back and see who and what got us here.
This 'news article' is one more indicator of why the Las Vegas Sun is going out of business. What merit does this article have, and what sense does it make? Are you kidding me? Why have so many Americans fought for their country, and paid billions of taxes for so many years! The Government has the responsibility to do the things this article and reporter mention. The business of Las Vegas is tourism; and tourism is a smokeless industry that improves the quality of life for those that live in the Las Vegas Valley. Visitors demand better and more, and we who live here are beneficiaries of their demands. This 'reporter' makes it sound as if all is a 'gift' from the government. Steve Wynn is correct in one regard...we should DEMAND MORE, and I am not proposing a day to honor Wynn.
Steve Wynn was a poolside hugger when he was in his preteens and teens.Steve Wynn brought a concept to the Strip termed investors paradise.
Does his investors paradisio casinos adhere to the new regulations for the gross audits?
Give me a break Cooligan,
The internet was a military project but did the government create all the websites on their today? Did the government direct resources around and order people to build facebook, travelocity, fandago? No, no, no, and no to a billion other websites.
Of course the government does good, police, courts, protecting private property and enforcing contracts are among them. But it is a major logical fallacy to assume that because government is good at this that it must be good at everything.
Mr. Wynn's point was that government is not good at creating jobs or building wealth. There is ample evidence to support this point. All government can do is shuffle wealth from one person to another. What job it creates in one sector comes at the expense of a job created in another.
So yes the government can create wind farm jobs and hydro electric jobs at the expense of all the jobs lost because the government taxed the people thus preventing them from buying the goods and services THEY needed to improve their lives.
And another thing, government has done a terrible job educating the public and that stems from the host of problems associated with government running a business -- the lack of profit motive means they don't have to satisfy the wants of the people in order to stay in operation, they must only take by force what they need. That means there is no incentive to work better, smarter, or more efficient.
And how many times must I tell you that Somalia is not some free market country? Somalia is a failed socialist state run by warlords.
Now please move this article to the opinion section where it belongs. This is nothing more than an angry attack piece that wasn't well thought out.
Keep yakking away Stevieboy, because the snake oil your selling (tax cuts for billionaires, we should be more like China... wtf?) isn't selling like it used to. Americans have had enough ridiculous trickle down schemes and fear mongering.
That's why Obama was elected, and that's why so few people today actually admit that they are republican.
Self-serving jerks (Harry Reid = bff?) like you are what destroyed the middle class to begin with, but by all means, please continue--the louder the better!--in your quest to turn us into a great country like China.
http://www.heritage.org/Index/
http://www.freetheworld.com/
Free economies are highly correlated with:
1) Higher incomes
2) Lower poverty rates
3) Better education
4) Clean water
5) Better healthcare
6) Better nutrition
7) Longer life expectancies
so on and so forth
Its not government that has been creating wealth, lifting people from poverty, increasing standards of living and life expectancy. Its the private sector. Most government action harms or retards their activity. Government does good with police, the military and the courts thus enforcing contracts and protecting individuals, but most of its additional efforts come at the expense of prosperity and wealth that could be generated.
If government was so good at building wealth why did the Soviet Union collapse? Why did it take India so long to develop? Why did the Chinese, Japanese, or Korean economic growth NOT dramatically increase UNTIL the introduction of freer markets and capitalism?
In fact, India toyed with socialism far too long resulting in the deaths of millions of people that could have been saved if they had only opened up their economy to the market: http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_...
Heavy government activity in the economy is DIRECTLY responsible for the deaths of hundreds of millions of people world wide. Unless small, held in check, and limited in powers, government is and has always been the enemy of the people.
Let me see if I can figure this one out...
Las Vegas and the Country is in a deep financial crisis.
Loss of jobs everywhere but our friends who put politics before principles are demonizing those "wealthy" folks who CAN make a difference by creating jobs.
Close them all down and put everyone on unemployment forever. Oops, I wonder who would pay for that?
and government licensing laws may help insiders like Wynn, but they don't help the economy overall. Wynn's pockets may burst at the seams but because licensing limits the competition but overall it limits the wealth building potential in the market.
Pick any industry from teachers to doctors to car salesmen. Government action restricts the competition by restricting entry to the market. That boosts the wealth of those benefited by the law but harms everyone else in the market (the consumers and anyone who would have held a job in that industry).
Again, its government action destroying wealth and jobs.
Coolican, there is no "chicken and egg" problem here. The real problem is that you have wasted valuable bandwidth, and no doubt the better part of your day, putting together one of the most stupid articles I have read in the LVS. We all, including you, benefit from the government programs you have cited. The issue is government intrusion into the private sector. You picked an easy target simply to justify your job. Next time, please give us something worth reading.
Transcontinental railroad, Panama Canal and the Interstate highway system. Big government tax and spend ideas pushed by Republican Presidents. Bully!
Wynn should be addressing a real issue here: why is he charging $125.00 to go see Garth Brooks?
The dough-boy dollars, fat globules enter the brain and cause compulsive spending and gambling.
I bet a large number of rich cowboys will ride into town to see this hootenanny.
I bet the Okie Dokie Dough-boy gets stuck in the can on the gulf-stream and has to cancel the show.
Mr. Wynn, join Oaf Keepers today.
If you want to attack Obama, fine. But this idea that government wholesale is bad is a non-sense. I bet all those Republican businesscrooks don't mind government a bit when it starts handing out taxpayer money for silly or useless contracts where they are overcharged for everything. Where would Goldman Sachs et al. be if it weren't for government? The whole idea that government and the private sector are opponents is as much as a farce as the idea that Republicans and Democrats stand for vastly different ideas. Weinberg is just picking a side to keep the machine going.
Boy, I would like to go and see Garth Brooks. The $125 admission does not sound too bad, but I don't think I should have to pay. Garth Brooks makes plenty of money and we know the casino does not need any more money since they laid off some of their employees.
Garth Brooks is an national icon and seeing him should be a right and should be protected by my constitutional.
I think Mr. Wynn needs to take a trip to Washington, DC. He needs to sit down with Barack Obama face to face and say what he has said.
I doubt if Las Vegas will ever be blacked out. Steve is another "chicken" saying the "sky is falling". He wouldn't know government if it bit him in the butt. Sure, he has money. But he doesn't have what government has and that is respect. Steve wants "power". He doen't want "respect". He is a male "pig" with a capital "P".
Sure, the existence of ordered liberty and the rule of law provides a reliable framework in which people like Mr. Wynn can prosper. But this is far from saying that the expansion of government would create greater opportunities for the rest of us. Attempts to redistribute wealth have failed miserably in lifting the standard of living for the common folks. Please see examples from Europe to Cuba. Only the free market and the preservation of individual liberty to succeed, and yes to fail also, can lead to prosperity for those who take personal responsibility seriously and work hard to achieve that which in socialist countries cannot be achieved because of the heavy-handedness of excessive government regulation and taxation. We should all praise Mr. Wynn for his insight and follow his example of persistence and hard work instead of castigating the most innovative entrepreneur Las Vegas has to offer.
Was talking with a local business owner the other day who claimed 38% of his gross is mandated towards workman's comp/liability insurance for his workers.
: (
take personal responsibility seriously and work hard
--------------
You do not get rich in this society by working hard. You get rich by getting others to work hard for you.
its2hot: Are the 13.5% + who are out of work in NV and using welfare benefits also Democrats? Please provide your data and sources. Otherwise, you're spewing tripe.
blake, apparently you never knew vegas. look at what these mega resorts have brought you. nothing. city center looks like a glass recycling center. drove the strip last week and you can't see anything. wynn's legacy living on. keep spending your $'s as his pocket fills.
So Garth tickets are $125 wonder what the price is to go see Chris Gaines?
Good journalism starts with asking good questions, and sometimes the best questions are the most obvious ones, as in this case: has Steve Wynn himself personally benefited from government? Not surprisingly, the answer is yes - let me count the ways.
Thanks for a straightforward analysis of Wynn's hypocrisy.
The most innovative entrepreneur Las Vegas has to offer: Robert E. "Bob" Stupak, Mr. Las Vegas.
Boy, is this article filled with the hatred of business that has been promoted by the obama types. Business does what it needs to do to make money- which is WHY it is there !!
So, does government. Governments do whatever they can to get cash and become bigger. They take over elements of the economy ( climate change, health care, transportation....) by using politics to convince us that things are not being run right by private enterprise.
The problem is that when one looks at the actual RECORD of governments to run businesses, it is DISMAL. But, these failures seem to be just overlooked.
Bankruptcy and massive fraud in Medicare
Bankruptcy of Social Security
Massive budget deficits
Massive road construction delays and debacles
Massive failures of the war on drugs programs
Massive failures of border security
Not to mention the war in Iraq and now Afghanistan
At least with private endeavors, if they dont make money, they stop and are replaced by other endeavors. With government it seems they just go on and on.
We are a year into Obama, and are still in Iraq, and now moving quickly into another debacle in Afghanistan. So, all that talk was just political lies. Now we are supposed to think only about health care reform and forget iraq.
Somehow I am losing confidence in government to actually do things, no matter WHO is in power there.
Way too much airtime for this fellow...
Anyone outside of LV could care less what he thinks.
"Way too much airtime for this fellow...
Anyone outside of LV could care less what he thinks."
Who in Las Vegas cares what he thinks? He is just another Republican who does not believe in the sanctity of marriage.
I am kind of new here , so if I am wrong please forgive.
Steve Winn built TI, Mirage, The Bellagio, all great Las Vegas tourist attractions that are FREE to the see. He has run all these properties and built his empire. Mr O has been a community organizer and now president. Which person has brought more to the table in terms of value, innovation and of course money to Las Vegas?
I am not sure what cloud some people are on but the going rate for concert tix is $85 to $400, so price of Garth Brooks is very affordable at $125. I am sorry some of you are out of work and have no income, but it is not Mr. Winns' fault or Garth Brooks', in fact he has now added many new jobs via workers for these concerts. I think Steve Winn is in a bad position to step out politically, as evidenced here in comments, but he has decided to in spite of loosing some customers that do not share his view. It only makes his case even more valid.
Well, I firmly believe Mr. Wynn is interpreting the President's actual statement to benefit his own personal profile. Had any of those companies been part of his shareholder portfolio or NOT spent money at his establishments, his voice would be a lot softer.
My mom is the best example of a true "conservative" I've ever seen. She leff my drunk, womanizing, gambling addict dad with the oldest of her 5 kids was in high school. She got married when she was 15 and never finished school in Italy. She didn't speak good English either and never had a paying job all her life. My dad was old school, connected to the "old Vegas" crowd. He told her he could leave her but she wouldn't get one cent, and if she complained? Done. She was just happy to be free from him, and I never seen her complain that he didn't support us.
After about 1 week, she landed a job at McDonalds. Her great personality (always smiling, hard working, positive person) and hard work got her a promotion to asst manager within 1 month. After 6 months, she was manager. My mom was super honest. I asked her to bring home a lot of food but she'd only bring 1 bag of food every day, with a receipt inside she was proud to show us that she paid for it, stealing wasn't right she'd always say.
After 1 yr, she was offered a management job at a convenience store in California called "Stop and Go". The owner Ned Roscoe ate breakfast at her McD's and was impressed at how well she ran her store, interacted with her customers to keep them happy. She made on avg $80,000 a year (back in the early 80's) for the next 10 years. She eventually re-married a wealthy, good looking (younger than her) guy who made fortunes in California RE back in the 90's.
My mom never asked for anything from everyone. She took the bull by the horns and forged her own destiny with hard work, honesty, a great personality, a great smile, and making everyone around her feel special, appreciated, and loved. She could have said to herself, "poor me, a foreigner in a strange land, no high school diploma, 5 kids, all in private schools, no child support. Let me find out what the government can do for me." She didn't though. Why? She later told me that welfare was never an option because she seen how generations of minorities fall into the "welfare trap" and never get out, their kids too. She didn't want her kids to "go out" like that, and thanks to her great example, none of us have!
Why do I tell this story? People like my Mom and Steve Wynn didn't look for a handout from the government. All they want is to be left alone so that they can forge their own destiny! Compare that to Obama's "Wealth distribution" plan! Taking from those who work hard to achieve something in life and giving it to those who don't is against the principles of success. Wealth distribution a nefarious form of slavery. It is a capitalism killer, and in case you didn't know, capitalism = freedom and liberty. No country or person can enjoy the blessings of freedom, financial security, and liberty without self determination, self reliance, and freedom from an oppressive government such as the one we currently have.
Sergio ! please for once put a lid on it! and keep you comments limited to a short paragraph! you exhaust the reader with rambling on and on!! Save some space for someone else! Please!
Put a lid on it? What are you, a Maoist? If you don't like what I have to say, don't read it. Get it? Got it? Good!
No Sergio I don't "Get it, Got it, good! you ramble too much!!
Well I don"t care for Mr. Wynn,after a few of his remarks a few years back. But Sergio I got it and your post did not exhaust me. Thought it was very good.
Sergio,
Great story! Your mom's life displays the hard work and persistence I noted above. God bless her.
Unfortunately, liberals are entrenched in their ideology and have neither the will nor inclination to learn from people who play the hand they are dealt and come out winners without the help of big government.
My mom is a great inspiration to me and everyone who knows her. I love to brag about my mom to everyone I know, I could tell 1001 stories about her and hope to write a book about her life someday. She's had one amazing life, that's for sure, and it wasn't by accident! She taught me that we create our own "good luck" by putting out positive energy that comes from obeying true principles and morals. I've never met a more loving, caring, hard working, honest person on this planet than my mom, and she deserves all the happiness she's received in the later part of her life for the sacrifices she made in her youth.
The reporter seems to forget that the taxes collected or borrowed against such as SS (which the Government promised to pay back by the way when they raided it for pet projects starting in the 60's)or other programs are what paid for the services he states have assisted Mr. Wynn.
Considering that the work force is what provides the capital for the Government to operate it's pretty simple to see Mr. Wynn is correct on all fronts.
To assert anything less portrays the reporter as not understanding how Government operates and recieves those funds to operate.
Taxes which everyone knows is on everything, property, sales, excise etc..(a very long list) and without those taxes being generated by the "working class" the Government would not exist.