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Wynn criticizes Obama on Sunday morning news show

Wynn Resorts Ltd. Chairman Steve Wynn participated in a roundtable discussion on Fox News Sunday this morning, discussing the state of the economy with host Chris Wallace.

Wynn, fresh off his successful initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, criticized President Barack Obama administration’s handling of the economy. Wallace introduced Wynn by saying Nevada’s current unemployment rate, 13.2 percent, was second highest in the nation.

“The priorities of the administration should have been focused on jobs from the inauguration forward,” Wynn said. “People would have had a positive outlook toward tomorrow when they have a job. The priority should have been job creation.”

Wynn, who opened the $2.3 billion Encore at Wynn Las Vegas last December, said he hired 5,000 employees for the resort.

“My return on investment hasn’t been that great,” Wynn said.

But he is fearful that current economic debate in Congress is more harmful than helpful.

“It’s counter productive,” Wynn said.

Also taking part in the discussion were Democratic Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Republican Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s, who has advised Republicans and Democrats.

Wynn took issue with some of Zandi comments. At one point Wynn said, “the economists had their moment.” He also sparred with Granholm, over the role of government.

“Government never increased the standard of living of a single human in history,” Wynn said. “How do you increase someone’s standard of living? Give them a job.”

Most of Wynn’s criticism, however, was directed at Obama, whose election was publicly supported by his soon-to-be ex-wife Elaine Wynn.

“Consumer confidence will return when the unemployment rate goes down,” Wynn said. ”Soaring speeches, with or without a teleprompter, are not issue. Government has never created a job or their standard of living.”

Granholm, however, jumped in, citing the creation of the minimum wage that has helped millions of workers.

Wynn countered by saying the health care debate has confused the matter and delayed any economic fix. He said he employs 20,000 and has provided insurance coverage for 150,000 families in his career.

“Healthcare is something I know about,” Wynn said. “It’s a complicated and technical issue. Everybody in this administration has zero experience in dealing with healthcare. They should be focused on job creation.”

Daniels sided with Wynn on several points and Wallace allowed the casino operator the final word in the debate.

“We need to focus on the simple truths,” Wynn said. “Simple truths hold institutions together. We have lost our focus.”

Follow this link to the article about the show this morning

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6 Responses to "Wynn criticizes Obama on Sunday morning news show"
RE: "Government has never increased the standard of living of one single human being in civilized history."

Fine. We'll stop sending so many US dollars to other countries, including Israel.

RE: "The healthcare debate has confused the matter and delayed an economic fix."

It was a newly created MGM Mirage Corporation which did away with contracting physical insurance contracts with Mutual Of Omaha, turning instead to the Mirage Resort's strategy of self-funded, self insured plans for employees through Siera Healthcare Services. This corporate level decision shorted some MGM Mirage employees in healthcare decision making, while at the same time the company was making record profits. That may not reflect on how Mirage Resorts regarded their employees on insurance support, but something manifest at MGM Mirage.

Recently, you sold 117 million in Mirage Resorts stock, decreasing your investment in the company you operate, "money out".

Written by: Greg on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 at 4:53 PM -- Report abuse
Correction to Above Post:

The last sentence should read" Wynn Resorts" stock, not "Mirage Resorts" stock.
Written by: Greg on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 at 6:26 PM -- Report abuse
I watched that show with Mr. Steve Wynn in it.

Mr. Wynn is just an entrepeneur casino/hotel owner. When asked one time before what he wanted to do in life, he stated all he wanted to do was make something that everyone would go in and say wow.

Well, in a nutshell, he feels that the present Government prevents him from pursuing this effort anymore.

He does provide jobs to Las Vegans and has helped. But Mr. Steve Wynn clearly liked what he had before when President George W. Bush was around. He got tax breaks like crazy and the Government basically let him do what he wanted when he wanted where he wanted. And screw the little guy. That was the standard he enjoyed. Please come in my casino with a lot of money, but leave broke.

Well, he don't like it now. Because it ain't the same. And this came out in this show. It was readily apparent when the Governor from Indiana stated that they dug themselves out of debt and went in a new direction, to go with the times and work with it.

What did Mr. Steve Wynn offer? Nothing. He basically said I want it back to the way it was and I'm not going to change.

That's why Las Vegas (and ultimately Nevada) wallows in misery right now.

There is no change. There is just hope that we can go back to the way it used to be...money rolling fast and loose and build more casinos.

One thing that amazed me about that show is why was Mr. Steve Wynn there? And not someone from State Government?
Written by: ColinFromLasVegas on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 at 8:40 AM -- Report abuse
I watched the interview, and Steve Wynn came across as a straight talker. His voice is unique and to me he was quite refreshing. I admire his "no layoff" policy; it will pay off for him in the end.
Written by: Diane Taylor on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM -- Report abuse
Steve Wynn is correct, the focus needs
to be on new jobs NOW.
There is a solution: Put more money into workers pockets by reducing the income tax by 50% TODAY. Then workers spend more,create economy & new jobs & the US Govt gets more tax revenue because more people are working &
paying taxes.
We all win(Wynn).
Written by: John Trip on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 at 4:07 PM -- Report abuse
Wynn couldn't be more wrong. GI Bill educated millions of US citizens. Ditto for Pell grants, etc. Wynn would like to kid himself that he's done more good than the government, but that would be normal for a guy that runs casinos nearing the end of his life.
Written by: Paul Kelley on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 at 8:28 AM -- Report abuse
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