Wealthy Folks

First let me wish all of the readers of Executive Watch a belated 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 and House bureaucrats voted a budget compromise into law last week. However, 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 in DC. Of greater concern were two themes that were woven into every speech that are divisive. The first is the reference to the “middle class,” reinforcing unhealthy class distinctions. I prefer “middle income.” The second has been the President’s attack on the “wealthy.” Everyday, in every speech, we continue hear how the “rich” do not do enough. I’m looking forward to the day when the President is out of office and cut’s his autobiography deal for millions of dollars, and then, hit’s the speaking circuit at $100,000 a pop. Then he’ll be among those wealthy folks.

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.