By Rick Stanton
Every major culture has what can be called its “rococo period,” marked by elaborately ornate architecture, furniture and lifestyles. This was prevalent in 18th-century Europe, with special emphasis on France.
In a broader definition, it often represents the end of a culture’s significance, based on its preoccupation with gluttony and sloth. Think Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, let them eat cake and other missteps. Rome comes to mind, too.
Which leads us to … us. If we haven’t entered our “rococo period,” it would seem we have our hand on the doorknob. We ’re deeply divided; some say we’re spiritually and morally weak, as well. And the NFL is our very own version of the Romans’ preoccupation with gladiators.
Our elections have been manipulated by an arch enemy we’ve been dancing with since the end of WWII. We have a president (and all his minions) who has demonstrated with incredible consistency that he has no idea why he does what he does. He makes everything up as he goes, including alternative truths.
And now we have Howard Schultz apparently on the precipice of announcing his intention to become the next Trump. Trump has proven in spades that running a business has little to do with running a country. And we certainly don’t need of another opportunity to prove this to be true.
To be sure, Howard cleans up better than Trump. He’s younger, better dressed, more well spoken (that bar’s pretty low) and likely doesn’t owe his success to his daddy, cheating vendors (at least I have no evidence of such behavior) and doing business with the devil.
Oops, not so fast on the devil partnership. There’s that whole unfortunate Clay Bennett thing in 2006. Remember the Sonics? Frankly, Howard Schultz is no different at his core than Donald Trump—for one reason: a big, fat, neon-lit ego. Say hello to Donald Schultz.
The whole Sonics debacle of a more than a decade ago is not just a sports fan’s issue, it’s a public-trust issue. Lying and putting his own welfare ahead of everything else is what Schultz’s sale of the Sonics was all about. Everyone else be damned.
He sold the city, the state and his partners out, while acting like a naïve business virgin. Ooh, Clay Bennett you bad man, you took advantage of poor little ol’ me. Howard owned a public asset and he sold it out—along with his credibility—for short-term gain.
And now—THIRTEEN YEARS LATER!—he has the audacity to apologize for the deal in a book he’s selling for a profit. Much-belated apology not accepted.
And, as for his stance as a long-time Democrat, show me—or the Dems— the money. According to the head of the Washington State Democratic Party, Tina Podlodowski, Schultz has been MIA when it comes to his involvement in the party he claims to back.
We absolutely don’t need another independent candidate whose only value will be to divide a vote that’s desperately needed to oust the current moron from office. And we sure as hell don’t need another clueless business person gumming up government and getting his shoelaces tied together by people who know how to do just that. Don’t run for president Howard. We’ve suffered enough.
There’s an anonymous quote that reads, “Ego is a disease that makes everyone sick—except the person with the disease.” Apparently his campaign slogan will be “Leadership you can trust.” In my 40 years in business, I learned that when someone says “trust me”—don’t.
And for the record, Howard, your coffee is overpriced (imagine that) and tastes like dirt.