Nevada Development Authority speaker says business people have lost their values - Business

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Oct. 08, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada Development Authority speaker says business people have lost their values

By JENNIFER ROBISON
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Maybe you don't connect the licentiousness of Paris Hilton or Britney Spears to the construction bust on the Strip, but former U.S. Rep. John Kasich does.

For Kasich, a Republican who left Congress in 2001 and is running for Ohio governor, both phenomena speak to America's sliding character. And it behooves businesspeople to help reverse that trend, Kasich told more than 500 attendees at the Nevada Development Authority's annual luncheon Wednesday inside Bellagio.

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Too many Americans -- including businesspeople -- ignore the values that made America a global beacon of opportunity, and Kasich said the country won't offer those opportunities for much longer if its citizens continue to eschew old-school norms, including honesty, integrity, teamwork, humility and personal responsibility.

Said Kasich: "The biggest issue this country faces is, do we embrace what mom and dad taught and told us, or do we shun those values and see them as something that slows us down?"

Plenty of business owners see traditional morals as a hindrance, Kasich said. Consider reports of lavish golden parachutes and "unseemly" bonuses for ousted executives.

"They're ripping off everybody but themselves," he said. "Enron, WorldCom, Wall Street. There are six buildings sitting empty here (on the Strip), all on borrowed money."

Here's how Kasich said corporate failures could hurt America's status as an economic leader: They undermine free enterprise by angering the public and encouraging the federal government to intercede in business affairs.

"You have the government running car companies. This is not the country I grew up in," he said. "I have been in the political world. They don't know squat about what you're doing."

Kasich said he sees cultural collapse in other areas as well. Take all those sports fans who worried more about whether Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera would play in Tuesday's playoff-determining game than they were concerned about his off-the-field behavior, which included an arrest for domestic violence over the weekend. Or consider Hilton and Spears, whose antics he said objectify women.

But Kasich saved his harshest words for politicians, whom he called "a bunch of bozos."

"The partisanship, the sliming of opponents. They'll hunt you down, and your spouse and even your kids are fair game."

Kasich recalled how President Bill Clinton worked with Republicans to hammer out important legislation.

"Today, no one seems willing to put their necks on the line. They're more interested in re-election."

For solutions, Kasich offered examples of citizens he said are doing good -- and doing well.

Business can be the most noble calling, he told the crowd.

"Think of how many people have worked for you," he said. "They put their kids through college, and their kids became surgeons and teachers. You gave them a chance."

He cited the charity work of Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates and the humility of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, who once personally drove Kasich to the airport after a meeting, with no bodyguards or entourage in sight.

He also mentioned local athlete and philanthropist Andre Agassi, whose inner-city charter school helps at-risk kids prepare for college and develop self-discipline.

"(Agassi) is the kind of person we need to hold up, and he's one of your own," Kasich said.

And then there are politicians such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who Kasich said lifted the country during hard times and made Americans feel they were members of the same team. He also praised celebrities, including U2 lead singer Bono and actor George Clooney, who've used their star power to call attention to famine and genocide in Africa.

"Find a purpose that gives you the sense that you matter to your community," Kasich said. "We have to win the battle for America's soul. We have a special responsibility carved out for us to be a safe harbor and a lighthouse to show the way for people."

Contact reporter Jennifer Robison at jrobison@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4512.

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Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background. Al Capone wrote on October 13, 2009 12:37 PM: Go out and watch Micheal Moore's new movie."CAPITALISM.A LOVE STORY".Yes it's one person perspective on how we as a society took a big financial $ hit and then stepped in it.It took time but we did it.FOOD FOR THOUGHT. AL Capone wrote on October 13, 2009 12:31 PM: Smart man.As the saying goes,"Takes One To Know One".Guess what folks.We finally have one speaking about his kind of people.Hindsight is definitely 20/20. Better pay attention to the comedians also who make people laugh for a living.When they're pissed off and have something to say that's serious.Better open your ears and listen closely and take to heart.Because they are on the money.Normally Gino DiSimone wrote on October 08, 2009 11:56 PM: In principle, I agree. However, where is the plan?? Lets get complaining behind us and put plans in action. I have a plan for Nevada. I will lead Nevada from the depths of distraught into the heights of prosperity with integrity and moral and ethical foundations. I have a plan for Nevada. www.ginoforgov.com 2zero wrote on October 08, 2009 06:08 PM: The NDA can not "give" Nevada away...no takers! That is not to say the NDA does not try, "to give Nevada away".....tax "exemptions" and utility and government fee/charge & infrastructure freebies. In the end they fail to diversify our economy and use fuzzy math to justify the existence of themselves (NDA). Not that it is because the NDA is a complete bunch of losers, they are, but Nevada is so corrupt and on every top ten worst list ever published! Why would anyone move or begin a company in the wasteland called Nevada or more specifically Clark County! Someone (LVRJ) should go back and do an audit on all the jobs this entity created, they claim many but they produce very few especially ones that last more than a few months or a year...like purchase pro or the biodiesel company!!!!! Dave wrote on October 08, 2009 02:41 PM: Plenty of business owners see traditional morals as a hindrance, Kasich said. Consider reports of lavish golden parachutes and "unseemly" bonuses for ousted executives. "They're ripping off everybody but themselves," he said. "Enron, WorldCom, Wall Street. Are you listening, Station Casino executives? john vukasin wrote on October 08, 2009 02:38 PM: What are we to think of local business practices that dis-infranchise our own workers. The MGM is currently laying off internet security workers. Out sourcing their jobs to India. At the same time asking those workers to train the Indians who will be taking their jobs. Station Casinos did the same thing to their reservation department two years ago. Reservations for their casinos are now done through Indian workers. Maybe that is why their business is in the tank. BRAD LORD-LEUTWYLER wrote on October 08, 2009 01:52 PM: THANK GOD! I thought I was a lone voice! As a republican running for congress, I meet lots of denial on this point. For the United States to retake the global lead in business, we need to return to what we used to do so well: work hard and deliver the best products at fair prices. John wrote on October 08, 2009 01:34 PM: That was on the money. Forget Ohio, come to New York State or New York City run for Gov or Mayor here in which the candidates are running for office, perhaps you can change New York. It's a circus here. Too_much_government wrote on October 08, 2009 11:32 AM: * WARNING * LVRJ benefits from a JOA. Government censorship rules apply. * WARNING * The NDA is BIG GOVERNMENT all the way. It's executive board includes prominent area bankers, utility execs (bureaucrats), politicians, lawyers, etc. Not a free-marketer in the bunch. Plenty of bailout and favor seekers, however. A "Who's who" of southern nevada Socialism. Kasich is one of those cranks who went to Washington to change it, and it changed him. Send that bozo back to Faux News. conservatist wrote on October 08, 2009 10:14 AM: You all missed the point of this article... It's what is in the HEARTS and MINDS of American's today.... It's an all out shark attack against each other... the politicians are at a total loss as what to do....... It took generations to destroy and will take the same to build back trust in one another and the government... Read All Comments