Rants & Raves: The Good, The Bad, and The Frustrating
Let’s start with the rants—because, well, there’s plenty to rant about.
Rant #1: Dishonesty in the Immigration Debate
Immigration affects everyone, yet no one seems willing (or able) to tackle it head-on. Instead, we get endless spin, with terms like “amnesty” and “illegal alien” thrown around until they lose all meaning. And where are business leaders in this debate? Silent. Taking a back seat. Perhaps still nursing a Hurricane Katrina-sized hangover?
Rant #2: The Never-Ending Saga of Executive Pay
Surveys show the public is fed up with skyrocketing CEO salaries, yet no one has a solid solution. Vanguard’s Jack Bogle comes close—but let’s be real, he’s a big money guy too. Someone from the inside—not just another shareholder mouthpiece—needs to step up and find real balance between pay for performance and pay for failure. Because, let’s be honest, self-governing boards aren’t exactly known for holding executives accountable.
Now, let’s switch gears. Some leaders are stepping up. And they deserve raves.
Warren Buffett: The Power of Walking Away
Buffett’s decision to leave Coca-Cola’s board—while pushing for director pay to be tied strictly to company performance—is a bold move. Sure, board members are already multimillionaires, but his point stands. (We’ll reserve judgment on his Russell Athletic purchase for now…)
CNN’s Lou Dobbs: Love Him or Hate Him, He’s Calling It Out
Dobbs has ripped the mask off the hypocrisy surrounding immigration. Some nights, steam practically pours out of his ears. Agree or disagree, you can’t ignore him.
Jamie Dimon: A Rare Wall Street Standout
J.P. Morgan Chase’s CEO, Jamie Dimon, actually feels like a real person—a rarity in finance these days. He’s not just making deals; he’s making headlines, including a Fortune magazine cover where he literally put up his dukes. Gotta give him credit for that level of confidence.
Charles Brewer: From Mindspring to New Urbanism
The original Mindspring founder has reinvented himself as the chairman of Green Street Properties, leading the charge on New Urbanism. Leadership. Transformation. Values-driven work. Enough said.
Some people talk. Some people act. The difference? Leadership.
Which side are you on?