Washington Post business columnist Steven Pearlstein skewers the pro-entrepreneur/pro-job creator fetish better than I’ve ever seen it done. It starts:
I am a corporate chief executive.
I am a business owner.
I am a private-equity fund manager.
I am the misunderstood superhero of American capitalism, single-handedly creating wealth and prosperity despite all the obstacles put in my way by employees, government and the media.
I am a job creator and I am entitled.
It ends:
I am entitled to everything I have and more that I still deserve.
The fetishization of entrepreneurs and job-creators often ignores the fact that our business heroes don’t always create that many American jobs. (See Steve Jobs.) Still, many commentators and public officials persist in putting management on a pedestal, while ignoring everyone else who contributes to the economy. See Eric Cantor’s Labor Day salute: “Today, we celebrate those who have taken a risk, worked hard, built a business and earned their own success.”
