Off the Cliff

First let me wish all of the readers of Executive Watch a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Frankly, I am happy to have 2012 behind us. The long and painful election process, followed by daily, hourly, and by the minute coverage of the “Fiscal Cliff” and even worse, foreboding of a “Fiscal Abyss” drove me crazy. Thankfully the Senate bureaucrats voted a budget compromise on Monday and the House Bureaucrats voted it into law on Tuesday. The rhetoric, political jockeying, and self serving approach by the executive and legislative branches is embarrassing, and frankly we Americans deserve better than what is dished out by our lawmakers. There were two themes that were woven into every speech are divisive. The first is the reference to the middle “class” reinforcing unhealthy class distinctions. I like “middle income” better. The second was President Obama’s attack on the “wealthy.” Everyday in every speech we hear how the “rich” do not do enough. I’m looking forward to the day that the President is out of office and he (and the First Lady) cut their first book deal for millions of dollars, and go on the speaking circuit at $100,000 a pop. At least at that point he’ll be among the wealthy and we can put him into the same bucket as all of the other rich folks out there.

Tony LoPinto is the Global Sector Leader of Korn/Ferry International’s Real Estate Practice and founder of SelectLeaders. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?


NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.