The Giants Behind The Gates
Monday, October 1st, 2012 by admin | Posted in Unconventional Thinking | Comments
All across America, men and women of exceptional skill live behind massive iron gates leading to long sprawling driveways that curve, triumphantly, to grand mansions elegantly designed and beautifully manicured.
They glide through elegant furnishings, in and out of wine cellars and pool houses and are waited on by staff members who care for their every need.
For the most part, they are the members of the world’s most exclusive club: that of the rare breed capable of building massive business enterprises. Virtually all entrepreneurs add (driven by Adam Smith self-interest) immeasurably to society, providing jobs, innovation, taxes, unlimited opportunity and perhaps most important, a breeding ground for all around them to grow and thrive professionally.
But those of us who have built modest enterprises are orders of magnitude below the giants who, with a truly unique and mysterious skill, are capable of creating Walmart’s, McDonald’s, Amazon’s, IBM’s and the Nike’s of the world.
They live behind the imposing gates because they are special. Along with our military forces, they are our greatest national treasures. They move the needle on progress, employ tens of thousands, keep America exceptional, drive growth and prosperity for millions. Unlike the pharaohs and the government bureaucrats who erect static pyramids as testimonials to
themselves, they create dynamic ecosystems that produce a stream of powerful benefits for the world.
I have been in business all of my life and successful at it but I don’t know how these geniuses of the giant build behemoths that, like Apple, never seem to stop growing, enhancing, improving–all on a scale that is breathless to behold.
Today, in America, we are told to hold these very special achievers in contempt. To envy their wrought iron gates. To demean them as robber barons. To tax and curse them into oblivion.
When a society seeks to topple its best and brightest and play to the jealousies of its losers and takers, it is marked for a steep and rapid decline.
The giants behind the gates: you will miss them when they are gone.
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November 10th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Very VERY well said. I am far from the iron gates you speak of; however, their wealth and knowledge is needed to grow the economy. Too many people have a sense of entitlement and their jealousy and hatred prevents them from seeing the big picture. Unfortunately, we will all pay the price very soon.
Thank you for adding me on Twitter..
JR