Michael Sauers

October 3, 2026

I have built two small businesses from scratch. One was very successful and I was able to sell it. The other, while moderately successful with a political component, was closed with no loses to investors or me. I used my own money and NO government assistance. Through these two businesses I rubbed elbows with many businessmen in a variety of businesses; advertising, processing equipment, truck leasing, marketing, manufacturing, waste management, etc. Their priority was profit, as much as possible. This was accomplished via minimization of labor costs, regulatory requirements, means of production and environmental considerations. Some did it legally and some skirted laws. Some did it ethically and some not. Most looked for and lobbied for corporate welfare.

So, the JFK quote about businessmen being “sons of bitches” ran true for me. That is what I saw.

That was in the 1980’s and 90’s. Nothing has changed, in fact, it has become worse. Businesses play states/regions against each other by TWISTING THE ARMS of local politicians who are trying to create jobs and improve economies and by INITIATING BIDDING WARS to EXTRACT massive financial, permitting, transportation, pad-site and regulatory deals.

They identify operational locations in various states/regions and then turn states/regions against each other (working citizens) via bidding wars. They milk competing locals for multi-year corporate income tax exemptions, payroll tax rebates and refundable and transferable tax credits. They squeeze states/regions for minimal environmental and other permitting, state paid customized workforce training, reduced utility rates, transportation upgrades and advanced site preparation. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE FROM THE LOCAL TO THE FEDERAL LEVELS.

Once established, they continue squeezing local, state and federal governments for more and more and more corporate welfare. Most, if not all, of these companies are wildly profitable and do not need to be putting their hands in taxpayer’s pockets. They could easily finance their expansions and growth but why bother when local, state and federal governments are at their beck and call. Sadly, many trade unions play along with this because of JOBS.

These people are not capitalists. At best, they are corporate welfare queens engaging in crony capitalism. This is all done at these expense of us, our lives, our children and grandchildren’s lives and our communities’ lives. Schools, a living wage, healthcare, libraries, food pantries, local/state/national parks, eldercare, childcare, preservation of habitat, renewable energy and much more.

Economic development should be community consensus driven with many issues put on the ballot. Top down economic development has proven to be lucrative for a few but disastrous for everything and everyone else.

This is certainly true of behemoth warehouses, pipelines, fracking, data centers and energy plants. You must identify politicians who support top down economic development and VOTE THEM OUT! Get off your derriere. This is no time to do nothing.