Eric Cantor canceled a speech at the Wharton School of Business yesterday when he realized that it was going to be met with protests, but you can read his prepared remarks here. I want to give an excerpt to consider:
I believe that the most successful among us are positioned to use their talents to help grow our economy and give everyone a hand up the ladder and the dignity of a job. We should encourage them to extend their creativity and generosity to helping build the community infrastructure that provides a hand up and a fair shot to those less fortunate…
…These groups of innovators are the leaders of companies that create life-saving drugs for our sick parents and children. They are also the social entrepreneurs who support the charter schools, the opportunity scholarships, the private job training programs, the community centers, and other elements of community life that provide stability and constructive values to children and their families who are struggling.
They are trailblazers like Steve Jobs. A man who started with an idea in his garage and ended up providing iPhones and iPads to millions and changed the world. Job building and community building are what successful people can do. Through his example, you can see that America needs more than a jobs plan. It needs a Steve Jobs plan. In a Steve Jobs Plan, those who are successful not only create good jobs and services that make our lives better, they also give back and help everyone move just a little bit further up the ladder and everybody wins.
So, what’s the Steve Jobs Plan?
Silicon Valley is lining up behind President Obama’s reelection bid, donating more money to his campaign than to any of his Republican rivals.
Computer and Internet companies have donated more than $1.2 million to Obama’s 2012 campaign so far, among the highest totals for any industry, according to an analysis of campaign finance data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Microsoft employees are Obama’s single biggest industry contributor, followed by employees of Comcast. Google comes in at No. 4.
Silicon Valley seems to be sticking with the president after backing him strongly in 2008. The tech industry donated at least $9.3 million to Obama’s first presidential bid, according to the Center’s data.
Silicon Valley isn’t monolithic, and even Steve Jobs had some criticisms of the president. But it’s pretty clear that the innovators in the computer industry have a jobs plan, and that is to reelect the president. In fact, Eric Cantor is wrong. It’s not enough to be nice to rich people. Mr. Jobs main criticism of Obama? ‘I’m disappointed in Obama,’ he said. ‘He’s having trouble leading because he’s reluctant to offend people or piss them off.’ That doesn’t sound like Mr. Jobs wanted a president who would coddle the rich.
But that’s all the Republicans have to offer.
