Long before the so called information age had begun, my father believed that most people just listened to what other folks were saying and believed it, especially if it was bad. The few people that bothered to find out the truth on any given matter were few and far between and usually ignored by the EBK crowd. I doubt he'd be surprised today by the fact that the vast amounts of data available for people has made the problem worse instead of better.
This year's Presidential Election is an excellent example of this trend. Both sides have had huge numbers of EBKs running rampant. I could focus an entire book on the ones handed to the Obamas, but in a rare show of "Meh, let's look at the other side" syndrome I am actually going to talk about Romney. Yes you heard me, I am going to say some nice things about Mitt. Hold onto your collective hats cause this might actually blow your minds.
Before I begin, let's get a couple of things straight. I don't like Romney. I think that if he gets elected, this country will tank faster than me eating a donut. (Chocolate with sprinkles to be exact.) Of course for that matter, I don't like Obama either even though I don't believe he is a foriegn born Muslim Sleeper Agent bent on Socialistic Takeover of the US while stopping us from eating fast food and making good Christian babies. I really believe that if either one gets elected the only changes that will happen is the Sides will switch rhetoric and the country will tank. However like I said, nice things about Romney.
Romney EBK #1: Mitt Romney is a draft dodger who "used his Mormon Faith to avoid going to Vietnam." Romney received a school deferment because, GASP, he was in college. He then received a deferment because he spent 30 months in France as a Missionary. Neither event being exceptional or dodging anything. Upon his return he went to College again but was in the draft for 69, his high number meant he did not get picked. I have had friends who both were deferred because of school and because of Religious works. Draft dodgers are people who burned their draft cards and ran away to Canada.
Romney EBK#2: Romney disbanded/destroyed and dismantled companies during his time with Bain and cut hundreds of jobs. Whelp, in a sense I can't argue this one, but I can add some notes. If a company isn't making a profit or a high enough profit, should it be kept open? If a company is spending more than it is taking in, should it be kept running just to save people's jobs. (Now as an aside, the current Pork Barrel Government (Rep. & Dem backed) works are full of these type of business, but the government schmucks march to the beat of their own drum.)
In most cases when a company like Bain steps in, its because the company they acquire is performing poorly. In these cases there are usually steps taken. It starts with the dreaded Reorg, where attempts are made to fix things within the company without major changes. Next, the company's "internal structure" is adjusted. This usually involves firing a bunch of people to see if an change of personnel can fix the issues. Lastly, when all else fails, the company is split up and sold off to recoup the money spent by the investors.
Now since Mitt and Bain is holding their cards very close their vests on this one, I can't say for sure if this is what happened or if anything actually happened while Romney was involved. For all we know he did indeed go gleefully through halpless companies with a figurative carving knife laughing all the way. However, until more evidence comes forward, this EBK is a little vague.
Well there you have it, I played Devil's Advocate for once. I guess all I am really trying to say is this. EBKs don't exist. Truth is very rarely plain and obvious. Everyone could do with a little less EBKs and a little bit more with finding out the truth for themselves. Now with the current election BS going on from both sides, that isn't easy but to quote my Father once again.
"If doing the right thing was easy, then everybody would do it and things would be a lot less messed up."
Words to live by. Peace out everybody!
