Socialism to blame for making American workers "lazy, fat, stupid"

So says Bernie Marcus, who, together with Arthur Blank [seriously, that's his name. Ed.] founded Home Depot. In an interview with the Financial Times (reported from behind the paywall by Breitbart News), Mr Marcus said that "Nobody works. Nobody gives a damn. 'Just give it to me. Send me money. I don't want to work — I'm too lazy, I'm too fat, I'm too stupid." Like this, maybe?

   

How did things get like that? Mr Marcus puts it down to the economic agenda of socialism. He recommends capitalism as the better alternative, because capitalism is based not on entitlement, but on merit. 

"Capitalism is the basis of Home Depot [and] millions of people have earned this success and had success," said the entrepreneur. "I'm talking manufacturers, vendors and distributors and people that work for us able to enrich themselves by the journey of Home Depot. That’s the success. That’s why capitalism works."

Mr Marcus argued that business is meant to make a profit from offering a service or product, explaining that a business's ability to generate profit benefits employees and customers. He also slammed those who believe business exists for “social purposes. "The role of a business is to sell a product and make a profit. The whole idea that a business is set up for social purposes doesn't make sense to me."

He added that if the founders of Home Depot tried to launch such a business in the society and regulatory environment of Brandon's America, it would be less successful, "ending up with 15, 16 stores." That's because big government's love of red tape, along with a lackluster labor force, especially hurts small businesses’ ability to compete with big business.

A longtime conservative donor, Bernie Marcus supported President Donald Trump and became one of his largest donors. His continued support of Trump in the 2020 election cycle triggered a boycott of Home Depot, even though Mr Marcus no longer worked with the company.

Mr Marcus told FT he makes no apologies for backing Republicans such as Mr Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying, "I give money to them because I hope they’re going to do the right thing." 

He described President Trump's policies as "spot on"” but did not say if he would support one man over the other for the GOP nomination. "It's going to be very interesting in `24." Mr Marcus said, "because I think DeSantis will challenge [Trump]. And may the better man win!"