If you think of politics like a business, these are the CEOs. The Suits are professional politicians, the white-shoe wheeler-dealers who treat the halls of power like a corporate boardroom. They may seem like their own bosses, but like all CEOs, they answer first and foremost to their shareholders (in this case, lobbyists).
From the first historical example in 1877, more Suits have become President than all the Hairdos, Preachermen, and Fuzzbusters combined. There’s a good explanation for this. The business world rewards entrepreneurs who create jobs for people and wealth for shareholders. Since there’s a shitload of cash to be made in politics, the Suits keep the pork barrel rolling in exchange for their well-appointed corner office and that grand mahogany desk.
For that reason, there will never be a shortage of Suits in Presidential politics. No matter your party affiliation, you’ll have one on your primary ballot. This year, slip into the fine tailoring and quilted collars of Senator Hillary Clinton or the rumpled “working man in his Sunday best” stylelessness of Senator John McCain. Each brings with them a corporate infrastructure of yes men, ad men, loyalists and lobbyists…all with a common goal as quoted from famous historical Suit Calvin Coolidge - “The business of America is business.” For the Suit, “business” is politics. So it should be no surprise that Clinton’s new campaign song is the BTO classic “Taking Care or Business.” Sing it with me, now:
taking care of business, everyday…
taking care of business, every way…
taking care of business, it’s all mine…
taking care of business, and working overtime…
Indeed. Politics, per usual. Because of this, Suits are rarely effective leaders. They often aid and abet thieves (think Warren G. Harding), while some are dictatorial criminals themselves (think Richard M. Nixon). Some are simply bumbling incompetents (think Herbert Hoover, Gerald Ford), and some are merely competent (that’s you, Bill). In rare occasions, a powerful lobby with a just cause can pressure a Suit into supporting positive legislation (as MLK, Jr. did with LBJ). Many talk a great game, but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, Suits are there to serve themselves, their shareholders, and a scant few greedheads and power-brokers in the top-tier of American society.
My advice: BUYER BEWARE.
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