To the Journal editor:

I was recently at the auto repair shop, I noticed a young man had an “I Voted” sticker on the bill of his cap.

I asked him who he voted for and why, he smiled and said Trump because the economy needs a businessman. I smiled and said I voted for Harris because of her leadership skills. We agreed business skills are valuable but mentioned I think running a business isn’t the same as running a country.

Compassionate government offers money losing basic services to its citizens, especially for those who are vulnerable while still watching the bottom-line. Governing is debating how to provide services while agreeing on how to pay for them. Business is about making a profit by cutting non-money making ventures.

The incoming administration stated it would eliminate $2 trillion of government’s $6 trillion budget and layoff half of all federal workers. They said the cost-cutting would cause some temporary hardship but we have to reduce spending to live within our means. I don’t think those who will soon have their hands on the levers of government plan to share in this hardship.

History will judge the incoming administration’s leadership skills and character, but I worry about the impact of cutting many public service “ventures”, which makes up 75% of the budget… Social Security; EPA; Health and Human services; Veterans services; OSHA; FDA; Education; FEMA; National Parks; Transportation Security; etc.

Yes, these services can be more cost effective, but drastic cuts to hit next quarter’s campaign target will come back to haunt many citizens.

Business leadership examples:

The Fortune 500 Company I worked for in the 1990’s was struggling during an economic recession. Our CEO asked all employees to choose between downsizing the workforce through early retirement incentives and layoffs or every employee from the “CEO” to the lowest wage earner take a 10% pay cut. The company united and chose the cross the board 10% pay cut, our company weathered the recession without a layoff.

Years later, a CEO of a different Fortune 500 Company during an interview was asked if he felt his $280 Million annual salary was justified, he said of course, look at the millions I’ve made for our investors.

His company also had a policy of replacing 10% of the workforce every few years to keep the company’s quarterly bottom line attractive for its investors. Corporate greed and employee fear/dissatisfaction ultimately caught-up and his company lost market-share and stock price floundered.

Electing government officials requires evaluation of experience and leadership skills. Using a business metaphor, America’s citizens are the board of directors and can correct any hiring mistakes next hiring cycle should they fail to perform to our nation’s decency standards.