Devastating Anti-Romney Film Surfaces

The Root ^ | 1/12/12 | Lynette Holloway

[Antoninus]

Yeah, I’m fine with it because no rational person, no one wanting to make money, would do that to a company that was able to survive and earn a profit. Capitalism works because of rational self interest, not love and puppies.

So you're saying there should be no consideration of ethics when doing business? Corporate raiding is fine? War profiteering is fine?

[sand lake bar]

I just don’t want you or Newt to tell me what my ethics ought to be. Anyway, I think Bain’s operations were highly ethical. As far as war profiteering, I’m for it. Where do you think those profits go? I recommend you read the play or see the movie “Major Barbara.”

[Antoninus]

I would highly recommend that you do some research on Bain & Co. Their business model is built upon making sick businesses well. That philosophy was the basis of creating Bain Capital.

I don't doubt that's how Bain was presented to the public for PR purposes. But given what we know about Mitt Romney, why would you even consider trusting the PR? I suspect what was going on in the board room was considerably less noble-sounding than what you said above.

Let me just say that I have had experience with companies owned by "venture capital" groups. In nearly every case, they are not at all about "making sick companies well". They are about extracting as much money as possible from the host company. If the company has a solid foundation, it may survive the venture capital ownership period. If it doesn't however, look out. It's not just banks who end up holding the bag. If the VC-owned corp is your customer, and you're not careful, they'll run up a big debt with you right before going bust. I've seen it happen.

I get the distinct impression that Bain is one such group that made a lot of money by not being entirely honest with everyone involved. Given Mitt Romney's MO in politics, I guess that shouldn't surprise me.

[Antoninus]

I just don’t want you or Newt to tell me what my ethics ought to be. Anyway, I think Bain’s operations were highly ethical. As far as war profiteering, I’m for it. Where do you think those profits go? I recommend you read the play or see the movie “Major Barbara.”

LOL--fine. If you're more comfortable with Mitt Romney's "ethics" then so be it. I, for one, am not.