If you haven’t read my first opinion piece on this topic, you can find it here: http://rachelpeters.com/the-future-of-a-nation/3252/
I’ve heard people use the term “politically incorrect” over and over again in describing the way Canadian businessman, Kevin O’Leary has spoken to the public over the years. Now that he is running for politics, I feel the need to speak up.
It is not “politically incorrect” to be unkind, unempathetic , and uncompassionate. It’s simply a display of a defective person. These are not respectable traits and they are not assets for leadership.
More troubling, I’ve heard news outlets refer to his comments as “provocative”. What’s provocative about a man boasting of his greed and how millions of people in poverty only need to be motivated to be more like him? What’s so provocative about a self-obsessed, rich, white man who’s completely out of touch with 99% of Canadians and their struggles? What is provocative about a man who says he doesn’t care about anything but money?
The only thing it provokes in me is nausea.
So, I suppose that week-old eggplant sandwich I tried to eat last night was also “provocative”.
Kevin has said he would like to distance himself from the things he’s said on TV. I’m sure he would! Wouldn’t we all love to distance ourselves from all the times we’ve said ignorant things! But, you know what? It’s called “Toughski Schittski”. There are consiquenses to the words you speak. You can’t apply for a management position, show up with no experience on your resume and then ask the interviewer to take it easy on you and please not check your references, because you’d like to distance yourself from all the terrible things you’ve said.
It doesn’t work that way anywhere else, Kevin.
You apply for this job, you have to answer for that you’ve told us you believe in.
You know what would be truly provocative? If you stopped talking and started serving the public in any selfless way. If you want be the boss of public service, show us you’re even remotely capable. You’ve got a little catch-up to play, though, because all those “career politicians” you scoff at – they’ve been giving their lives to the people for decades. So get to it!
It’s not personal, Kevin. It’s just business.
Rachel Peters.
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