Lee Iacocca reams out Bush...

[Archae]

And then some! :yourock:

Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
By Lee Iacocca with Catherine Whitney

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Had Enough?

Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, "Stay the course."

Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned Titanic. I'll give you a sound bite: Throw the bums out!

You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore. The President of the United States is given a free pass to ignore the Constitution, tap our phones, and lead us to war on a pack of lies. Congress responds to record deficits by passing a huge tax cut for the wealthy (thanks, but I don't need it). The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs. While we're fiddling in Iraq, the Middle East is burning and nobody seems to know what to do. And the press is waving pom-poms instead of asking hard questions. That's not the promise of America my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about you?

http://www.bordersstores.com/features/feature.jsp?file=wherehavealltheleadersgone

[acmavm]

1. I have to say, I wish this was in the NYT or WP. But he's dead-on

about every damn bit of this current situation and the current (criminal) administration.

[Aristus]

2. That's really something. I always thought Iacocca was a repuke.

Go get 'em, Lee! :bounce:

[MissMarple]

8. He is a Republican, but of the sane variety. Repukes are of the sheep variety.

;)

[Rosemary2205]

11. He is, Opensecrets.org

a quick lookup shows contributions to all Republicans.

[ingac70]

29. Pitiful really...

Since no Republicans wanted to help guarantee the loans that bailed out Chrysler. Looks like Lee forgot which side his bread was buttered on. Really no sense in bitching now when one has been part of the problem all along.

[GOTV]

84. And like a Republican, it never even occurs to him that he bears some of the blame....

... Republican contributors and voters have a lot to answer for

[orleans]

99. nothing like shooting yourself in the foot, eh? apparently he's not

too happy with all the problems he has helped to create (helped by donating to their criminal cause)

glad he said what he said but little sympathy for the feelings of republics who are feeling disenchanted.

[blm]

35. He was and corpmedia pushed his support of Bush BIGTIME in 2000. Then he turned on

Bush in the same way he does here, and publically supported Kerry, but corpmedia barely even mentioned it.

THAT is how corpmedia screws with public perception in their effort to protect BushInc.

[Double T]

3. Yes sir, I'm really fed up too!!!

The USA is a pathetic mess that is becoming more pathetic with each additional day bushco is allowed to retain the office of the president.

[Botany]

4. bush is done

I don't know why but I get the feeling that he is going to be gone soon
along w/ Cheney.

People are fed up.

Think I will go and buy a K-car.

[FtWayneBlue]

5. Throw the bums out!

Yes, Lee, that's a sound bite I can sink my teeth into.

[bdamomma]

91. I second that

THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOW. or do we wait until they invade another country illegally

[HCE SuiGeneris]

6. Out of office and into handcuffs! Get the f**k out!

[Rick Myers]

7. Wow!!! Superb editorial!!! K and R!!!

Seems to be an excerpt from a forthcoming book!!!

Lee really takes Boy George to the woodshed!!!

:kick:

[napi21]

28. It IS an excerpt from his book due out on April 17th. I really enjoyed his

biography "Iacocca" and he really DID save Chrysler years ago. That excerpt is a great read and should be read by EVERYBODY both Dem & Pub! I LOVE his 9 "C"'s, and I don't know anyone who could disagree with them. I couldn't help as I was reading them, wonder if any of the current crop of candidates fit his requirements. At this point, the answer is NO!

[GOTV]

88. Didn't Jimmy Carter save Chrysler? n/t

[misanthrope]

9. Blistering!**nm

**

[verse18]

10. Throw the bums out!

Simple and to the point. I love it.

[malaise]

12. Please send this to KO

Fabulous - K & R

[Straight Shooter]

13. "The press is waving pompoms."

.... Well, I always wondered what their balls looked like.

[hootinholler]

16. BWA!!!

:rofl:

-Hoot

[malaise]

22. "You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged".

This is brilliant!

[GOTV]

89. I'm not sure you can call yourself a patriot if your outrage didn't appear until after 2004 n/t

[spanone]

14. K & R

[hootinholler]

15. Nixon had Cronkite...

Bush has Iacocca.

He has lost.

-Hoot

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

32. LBJ knew he was in trouble when Cronkite doubted the Vietnam war

Nixon had an homest, professional group of journalists to contend with, not a pack of butt-sniffing lapdogs.

[hootinholler]

58. Thanks for the correction, it was LBJ, not Nixon. n/t

[Cha]

17. Got Damn we right should!

Where's the outrage from the corporations besides Lee Iococca?

The OUTRAGE is right here on DU.

[Serial Mom]

18. I love his "C" list!

I think I will buy the book, but I fear he will be preaching only to the choir, as others before him.

We need this point of view in the newspapers all over the country.

We need these comments and ideas pointed out on the nightly news every night.

We need people talking about this book, these statements, this man, as much as Imus!

I am with him - I am outraged over the OUTRAGEOUS actions of this mis-administration!

Definition of outrageous: hideous: grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror; "subjected to outrageous cruelty"; "a hideous pattern of injustice"

[izzie]

19. Sounds right to me and it may seep into the NYTimes.

I read for days about the march in Iraq before it turned up on the TV news. I am seeing more and more of that I think.

[partylessinOhio]

20. But - but - Imus must be fired and George Bush kept on.

:eyes:

[lvx35]

21. God I am sick of hearing "where's the outrage?"

The outrage is being intimidated and silenced by the secret police. That's where the outrage is.

[Supersedeas]

23. and the press is waving pom-poms -- Money

[malaise]

27. What is everybody so afraid of? That some bobblehead on Fox News will call them a name?

Give me a break. Why don't you guys show some spine for a change?

:rofl: :rofl:

[rateyes]

42. Yeah, I LOVED that line...

COURAGE is sorely lacking in leadership these days. But, President Pelosi, Congressman Waxman, Sen. Feingold, Congressman Kucinich and a few others are starting to give me hope when it comes to finding COURAGE in our leaders.

[bdamomma]

92. Feingold was on Sam Seder today, he seems to deeply

understand what is going on, and he seems angry also, but they know what they are dealing with.

[never cry wolf]

24. Cool, this is an excerpt from a new book coming out next week!

He has a whole book of this stuff and that means book tours, appearances with the talking heads on the teevee, radio interviews, news coverage...

May wake up some more sheeple.

http://www.amazon.com/Where-Have-All-Leaders-Gone/dp/1416532471

[melody]

25. They don't get it -- the people ARE screaming but the press is ignoring it

I have liberal friends talking about military coups like it might be a good thing, for heaven's sakes.
EVERYONE is outraged -- Iacocca (and any truly patriotic moguls) needs to buy back the media or use his financial influence to get them back on the correct message.

[NewJeffCT]

30. I think our country's been sanitized

In the 60s & 70s, we had protest rock rallying the young by the hundreds of thousands. Nowadays, all the music is controlled by mega-corporations like Clear Channel. So, all of the voices that could be speaking out in anger are isolated and just not heard beyond small clubs.

Back then, the media actuallly reported the news and would often call "bullshit" on things that were bullshit. These days, you can pass off your bullshit and the media will (at best) put the two sides on air and debate the issue, no matter how wrong or dishonest one side is...

And, back then, we actually had Republican politicans that were sane, and cared about the country before the party.

[The Wizard]

66. And back then we had

Conscription.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

26. Nuthin' senile about that.

Bush, on the other hand . . . .

[mrdmk]

31. A definet K & R

The C list is a must read for the business community.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

33. A man of character does not ask a single soldier to die for a failed policy.

What a quote.

I love it!

[quiet.american]

36. That was one of my faves, too. n/t

[Cha]

34. I hope the pressBitches and

corporatemediawhores are reading this, too!

AND CONGRESS..Mr Lee Iococca says "thanks, but I don't need it" when referring to his tax cut that you so stupidly gave the people who don't need it except the fuckin' greedy.

[dchill]

37. Too late now, Lee...

Everybody knows. There's just nothing that they can do about it, now.

[rateyes]

38. Damn. That's ONE Republican author's book I'm sure to buy...

WOW!! I hope he goes on a "talk-show" tour to promote his book and says this stuff!!

GREAT COMMENTARY. Thanks. If I hadn't read that article, no way I would have bought his book.

[Marr]

39. I agree with all his criticisms, but I disagree with him on leaders. We don't need

some magnificent leader to come along and save us- we need representatives that will listen to the people, and a media that doesn't make it job one to cover up the widespread popular outrage.

All of our problems- ALL of them- are rooted in our medieval-style wealth distribution. Start busting up these enormous corporate giants, and we'll start seeing change fast.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

40. Nothing beats...

An angry Italian in full cry. At least nothing I have yet seen. God Bless Iacocca.

Perhaps a dramatic reading tour of the above article, by Joe Pesci, is in order? ;-)

[Clark2008]

41. From the guy that backed the design of my favorite car

:applause:

[rateyes]

44. Never should've gotten rid of my

1964 Mustang.

[Clark2008]

47. Cool! You knew which car I was talking about!

:hug:

I have a 2005 - it's my fifth Mustang. I love 'em to pieces. They drive well and hold up great.

And, yes, I would ADORE owning a 1964 Mustang.

[rateyes]

87. Of course. Mustangs are great cars.

Best car Ford ever made.

[WiseButAngrySara]

43. Fantastic! KNR and sending it to many. Thanks for posting. ....n/t

[napi21]

46. I printed it and am sending it to a couple of friends in Pgh, Pa.

It's too long to email, andI think both of them will read it and pass it on to others!

Lee's still a GREAT MAN at 83!

[WiseButAngrySara]

50. I'm doing the same! Such an enjoyable read. ...n/t

[frogcycle]

45. wow

a few highlights for those in a hurry...

Leadership is all about managing change—whether you're leading a company or leading a country. Things change, and you get creative. You adapt. Maybe Bush was absent the day they covered that at Harvard Business School.

A leader must have COURAGE. I'm talking about balls. (That even goes for female leaders.) Swagger isn't courage. Tough talk isn't courage. George Bush comes from a blue-blooded Connecticut family, but he likes to talk like a cowboy. You know, My gun is bigger than your gun. Courage in the twenty-first century doesn't mean posturing and bravado. Courage is a commitment to sit down at the negotiating table and talk.

George Bush doesn't have common sense. He just has a lot of sound bites. You know—Mr.they'll-welcome-us-as-liberators-no-child-left-behind-heck-of-a-job-Brownie-mission-accomplished Bush.

Former President Bill Clinton once said, "I grew up in an alcoholic home. I spent half my childhood trying to get into the reality-based world—and I like it here."
I think our current President should visit the real world once in a while.

Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It's easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk theory. Or send someone else's kids off to war when you've never seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down.

On September 11, 2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. -snip- We were all frozen in front of our TVs, scared out of our wits, waiting for our leaders to tell us that we were going to be okay, and there was nobody home. It took Bush a couple of days to get his bearings and devise the right photo op at Ground Zero.

That was George Bush's moment of truth, and he was paralyzed. And what did he do when he'd regained his composure? He led us down the road to Iraq—a road his own father had considered disastrous when he was President. But Bush didn't listen to Daddy. He listened to a higher father. He prides himself on being faith based, not reality based. If that doesn't scare the crap out of you, I don't know what will.

Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo? We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened.

That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a call to action for people who, like me, believe in America. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the horseshit and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had enough.

[WiseButAngrySara]

49. I also loved his para on Curiosity! What he said about B*'s

not reading newspapers, and the quote from Jefferson are priceless comparisons!


A leader has to show CURIOSITY. He has to listen to people outside of the "Yes, sir" crowd in his inner circle. He has to read voraciously, because the world is a big, complicated place. George W. Bush brags about never reading a newspaper. "I just scan the headlines," he says. Am I hearing this right? He's the President of the United States and he never reads a newspaper? Thomas Jefferson once said, "Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter." Bush disagrees. As long as he gets his daily hour in the gym, with Fox News piped through the sound system, he's ready to go. i

[indepat]

48. Thanks, Lee, but why has your voice not been ringing loud and clear the last six years, but then

you might have needed to fly and feared being labeled a terror suspect?

[Imagevision]

51. First Trump now Iaccoca, seems to be pent up rage stepping forward

[90-percent]

53. OH BOY

I sure hope Keith Olbermann picks up on this for his show!

This is AWESOME!

Lee Iacocca is a plain speaking PATRIOT! I'll vote for you or pay for you to speak somewhere, Lee! Get the word out!

-85% Jimmy

[cascadiance]

97. We need to recruit Ted Turner to come out of the closet next!

... and ream these bums new ones too! With more and more former CEOs that have a conscience that can speak up about this jerk, perhaps the current band of CEOs can be roped in in their blatant efforts to fight off any sort of control on the growing corporate takeover of this country.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

52. Lee Iacocca! Does this particular 'capitalist' still carry some weight?

I confess: I am stunned but verily grateful a person like Iaccoca voices this level of opposition. Actually, his expression of opposition gives me greater hope we will stop this insanity.

Wow!!!!

[tabasco]

54. Welcome to the party, Lee. Where were you, oh, four years ago?

It's amazing how some only find moral courage when there's nothing to lose.

[vireo]

75. He endorsed Kerry

Published June 25, 2004

SAN JOSE -- Lee Iacocca, the innovative former chairman of Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp., dropped his support for President Bush on Thursday and endorsed Sen. John Kerry's candidacy, touting the Democrat's plans to shore up the nation's manufacturing sector.

"We need a leader who is really dedicated to creating millions of high-paying jobs all across the country," Iacocca said at San Jose State University. "The bottom line is simple. We need a new CEO and president.

"I say this not as a partisan, but as an unabashed patriot."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0406250285jun25,1,2965181.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-utl

[E-Z-B]

85. Yup, and I remember NBC news mentioning that.

[Pathwalker]

55. Oh yeah, then why oh why were you shilling for Devos, Lee?

He's from the same mold that made Bush, yet you were pimping him for governor last winter. I hope you've changed your mind there, Lee.

[PA Democrat]

56. Wonder how many of the "news" shows will have Iacocca on to promote his book?

This is the first I've heard of it.

[PA Democrat]

57. Just checked the release date. It's due out on April 17. n/t

[OwnedByFerrets]

59. WOW!! Never thought ole Lee would speak for ME. nt

[judaspriestess]

60. talk about kicking ath!!!

get him Lee

[Mynameissalvatore]

61. I used to be a bartender

I used to be a bartender at a restaurant in Brookline Mass that Lee would frequent. Apparently his daughter lived there I think.
Anyway he only came in once every few months and sat at the bar having a couple cocktials and a meal by himself. He always remembered my name. That told me that he was a class act. Here is a guy who meets so many people everyday yet he remembered the name of a guy that makes his drink every 3 months. He was always very warm and has a great sense of humor.
He used to make me proud to be Italian American but after reading this he just makes me proud to be American.

[Lena inRI]

71. Bravissimo Signore Iacocca. . .

. . .and nice anecdote, Salvatore...GRAZIE TANTO. . . I too, have Italian-American pride for Lee's efforts to expand the Ellis Island Immigration Heritage Museum in NYC that added the Wall of Honor for immigrants' names for their offspring to memorialize proudly.

http://www.wallofhonor.org/

Lee's all about PUTTING IN AN HONEST DAY'S WORK and BRINGING HONOR TO YOURSELF, FAMILY, and NATION, values that have been put into the toilet by BushCo criminals.

He's right. . .WE have to DO anything to fix the BushMess. . .ANYTHING!


:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[lildreamer316]

101. I didn't get to say..

Welcome to DU!:hi:

[lmarcotty]

62. Maybe I'm just too defensive -

but it really irks me when people like those on DU, and all the wonderful researcher/journalist bloggers at places like Raw Story and Democratic Underground and HuffPost and Truthout and (too many to list - sorry those I've not typed here), have been screaming as loudly as they can about what's been going on the last six years, and even I (a slug if ever there was one) have been doing my feeble best to get my representatives to pay attention to their constituents - and now Iacocca comes along and wants to flog all of us for not saying or doing anything? We've had the "if you're not outraged, you haven't been paying attention" bumper stickers on our cars for five out Bush's six years occupying (fraudulently, of course) the White House, and he's just NOW asking "where's the outrage?"?

And then he says it's lazy to blame the Republicans or the Democrats or the whatever and that "we" did it, or at least allowed it to happen - well, what do you mean WE, you smug, self-absorbed slacker? Where the fuck WERE YOU? I'm PERFECTLY happy to blame the Republicans! Maybe our Democratic leaders haven't been as dynamic or united or exercised the judgment we would have liked, but hello, Lee, who controlled both houses of Congress the last few years, eh? What little rat bastard stole the 2000 and 2004 elections and what apologists for the RNC's little recount riot in Florida in 2000 let him do it? Which "political party" is demonstrably and irrefutably the poster child of the ages for corruption and sociopathology?

Don't pin that culture of corruption on my shoulders, thank you very much - and while you're writing about your God-damned outrage, why don't you throw a little credit where it's due - to, say, those people who have been digging and digging, and doing all the work so that you can sit back and fulminate? And then, come up with a few SUGGESTIONS for what we all can do to take back our government. And put your money where your big, self-righteous mouth is.

[OwnedByFerrets]

67. Hopefully, hes not talking to you or me, but

his friends.

[scarletwoman]

63. Wow! That is a VERY well-written piece! I'm really grateful that you posted it!

I must admit, I never paid much attention to Lee Iacocca other than thinking of him as just another craven capitalist/corporate bigwig.

I sincerely appreciate this opportunity to re-evaluate my assumptions. By writing this, he has done our country a true service -- this is VERY honorably done. Kudos to Mr. Iacocca!

k & r,
sw

[RedEarth]

64. Interesting side note... I bought an entire office suite of used furniture

about twenty five years ago and part of what was included was a Rolodex. Guess who's name and number was in the Rolodex....Lee Iacocca. The person who owned the furniture had been a heavy-weight investment adviser and tragically he died in a car wreck and his estate was selling some of his belongings. And it just so happened that along with the furniture came the Rolodex and other miscellaneous items. For those that are wondering....no I didn't call Mr. Iacocca.

BTW....glad to see Iacocca speaking out.......

[Celebration]

65. always liked the guy

Lots of reasons for that--he is using his money to fund possible diabetes cures--things that JDRF won't touch for political reasons..............

Still I sort of liked the Donald Trump language and passion better. Strong as Lee's statement is, compare it to Trump's diatribe....I guess Lee has a little more class and uses strong language that is more "measured." I say throw all that to the wind and just rant and rave like the Donald.

[cadmium]

68. That's one of the best essays on 21st Century USA

I have read. Thanks.

[European Socialist]

69. The last time I saw Iacocca he was doing an ad for Dick DeVos..

for Mich. Governor. So I guess I can't get too excited about a guy who does a political ad for an Amway Salesman.

[live love laugh]

70. That was a balm to my soul. Thank you Lee Iaccoca. Roses anyone? n/t

[Lena inRI]

72. Add another "C" word, Mr. Iacocca to your list. . .

as in

CLARK. . .WESLEY CLARK

because Clark IS THAT LEADER WITH ALL THE OTHER 10 C's you mention. . .

Wesley Clark =

curious
creative
communicative
(of) character
courageous
(of) conviction
charismatic
competent
common sensical
crisis leadership

So, how about it, Mr. Iacocca? We Clarkies would sure like your putting your support behind Clark so he'll run for President for 2008!
:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[rndmprsn]

73. i love it...

"throw the bums out!"

K+R

[bklyncowgirl]

74. Wow, don't hold anything back Mr. Iacocca.! A great rant. nt

[BigBearJohn]

76. Sent to entire address book. Thanks!!! kicked & recommended!!

[Kurovski]

77. "Where the hell is our outrage?"

it sounds like we should invite Lee over to DU for a visit. :-)

[TexasLinda]

78. I'm sorry.

This was a great rant, but I can't see Mr. Iacocca's name without getting the giggles. He plays a role in an old bit of nerd humor, i.e., "What do you get when you cross Lee Iacocca with Count Dracula?"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
autoexec.bat (Okay, so maybe only graying geeks find this funny.)

[Bhaisahab]

82. haha! nice :) n/t

[Historic NY]

79. Great Capitalist.............

Lee Iacocca has always been a bit of a maverick in the car industry. Who else but Lee could talk the Congress into loaning him money to bail out the failing Chrysler Corp. He did it an paid off the loans with interst ahaead of time. Today our industrialists sell off companies like cookies to other foreign companies. I always bought Chrysler Corp vehicles when he was at the helm, even when quality was lagging because I knew he would make things right. Well he made the company viable and then was pushed aside.

[JVS]

80. for me to poop on!

sorry just had to make the joke

[Pachamama]

81. Wow....wow....

That was impressive....I'd like to see this sent to the NYT's, KO, and every major newspaper and TV outlet and tell them to interview Lee Iacocco....

I bet that would wake up a bunch of the sleeping clueless in this country....

[krispos42]

83. K&R #99! One more to break the century mark!

Oh my god, what a good excerpt!
Lee Iacocca, :yourock:

[formercia]

86. Interesting words from an old Crusader

They must be really scared.

[GOTV]

90. ... after a lifetime of putting Republicans in power - what a dick.

> Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up
> with what's happening? Am I the only guy in this
> country who's fed up with what's happening?

Do you watch the news? You may have just woken up but some of us have been working for years to undo the damage your Republican donations have caused.

> Where the hell is our outrage?

Where the hell were you when I was knocking on doors, attending meetings and standing in streets protesting? Where was your big donation to Liberal causes?

> I hardly recognize this country anymore.

It's the country you made with your Republican donations.

> You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged.

YOU can't call yourself patriot if you've been helping Republicans do this to the nation.

> "Leave the rage to the young people." I'd love to—as soon as I
> can pry them away from their iPods for five seconds and get
> them to pay attention.

You're just a dick. You threw your support to Kerry in 2004 but what did you actually do for all the Republican damage you caused previously? I'm an iPod owner and I was outraged long before it was cool for millionaire CEO's who benefited outrageously from Republican policy over the last 25 years to be outraged.

> I'm going to speak up because it's my patriotic duty.

... to write a book against an unpopular president now that it's fashionable to dislike Bush and work to promote it's sales.

> So I'll tell you how I see it, and it's not pretty...

What's not pretty is your culpability in this mess. Will you cop to that? Or do you mean it will not be pretty what you say about US but YOU will look pretty as hell dressed in your new-found popular outrage?

> Hey, America, wake up. These guys work for us.

These guys have been working for YOU for 25 years.

> And don't tell me it's all the fault of right-wing Republicans or liberal Democrats.

So what you have to say *IS* going to be pretty - it's not YOUR fault. I'll agree it's not the liberal Democrats fault. They've had no power for 30 years. It's the fault of the people who've been in charge recently. The people you helped put there. And the proof is in distribution of wealth that followed.

THIS mess is YOUR mess that WE tried to stop. And now look at you, with a shiny new book to sell. Where will the proceeds of that book go?

Welcome to the party but you can kiss my butt until your ready to pony up some of the winnings you've taken off America's table.

> I've never been Commander in Chief, but I've been a CEO.

... of a corporation that was failing until they received a huge government handout that they begged for. And then you turned around and supported asshole Republicans who raged against the evil poor who were lining up to ask for government handouts.

What a dick.

> I've had enough. How about you?

Yes, I've had enough of your politicians scraping off America's wealth to give it to people like you. Have you really had enough of that?

You could prove it. Will you?

[Eric J in MN]

94. Iacocca gave to a bunch of Republicans through 2002,

...and then stopped donating, according to newsmeat.com.

It would be nice if he's come around and starts donating to Democrats.

http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/Lee_Iacocca.php

Anyway, it is a good point that he put Republicans into power. He also didn't speak out in 2004 when most of the things he writes against Bush were already apparent.

[GOTV]

95. That's what's so galling and insincere...

... when he says

> And don't tell me it's all the fault of right-wing Republicans or liberal Democrats

Yeah, when it's time to place blame he wants to spread it around, but when it comes to donations he knows exactly who to blame.

What a johnny-come-lately wanna-be patriot. Writes a book and pretends that he's discovered some secret that the Republican party he supported has been producing leaders that produce for him at the expense of the country.

That's the closest will get to restitution from that (or any) Republican.

[JHB]

100. I don't recall Chrysler's workers getting their concessions back...

...once the company paid back its loans.

Iacocca apparently has his good points, but he was a big helper in sewing the seeds of the stinkpot he's railing against now.

Thanks for the tough talk, but don't pretend you didn't help get us in this mess.

[truedelphi]

93. This is America, not the damned Titanic. I'll give you a sound bite: Throw the bums out!

I've been looking for a bumper sticker for my van. This one is it.

[Larry Ogg]

96. Ware are all the leaders? There among the dissenters and working class,

weeded out of the process and made insignificant by the corporations and corporately owned mass media, long before they have a chance to challenge and correct the injustices rout by the elite minority who want it all.

Leaders are made and not born. This is one point I think genetic science and psychology might prove wrong, can you imagine a leader jean, what a concept, but that’s another story. The point is all the money in the world couldn’t make Gorge Bush a capable or respectable leader, although money definitely got him the job of Furor of the United States.

[Serial Mom]

103. Being intelligent seems to be important to get good leaders

and that takes good "jeans" (??) - making the most of your education may prove to be the key.

I'm just saying...

[Sander]

98. Lee for President!

A business leader with a sense of progressive morality.

[GOTV]

102. A sense of progressive morality? For how long? Like, five minutes?

Wouldn't you like to see some kind of track record before making another Republican corporate welfare recipient president?