Which would you rather swim among: Sharks or guppies?

Election 2014

The following was written by me on behalf of a candidate for Congress who sadly failed in his bid to represent his party. 

There's a popular show airing on television these days: The Shark Tank. It's all about capitalism and is very popular, especially among the 18 to 25 year old demographic. Contestants appear before a panel of successful entrepreneurs seeking funding for their new products. Another show occurs in Washington everyday. Contestants appear before panels of successful politicians and bureaucrats also seeking funding. Let's call it The Guppy Show. The differences between these two performances are instructive.

First, consider the panelists. Success among the panelists on The Shark Tank is earned by amassing a fortune by marketing products and services successfully. The panelists on The Guppy Tank have successfully won election and remained in political office or obtained lifetime tenure in bureaucratic departments and agencies. The former have created jobs while the latter have taken them.

Secondly, the entrepreneurs on The Shark Tank invest their own money while the politicians and bureaucrats on The Guppy Tank spend yours. If they don't invest it wisely, the entrepreneurs go bankrupt, they go bankrupt. Politicians and bureaucrats simply come back to you for more or print it. It's easy to imagine which group of panelists are more cautious.

Thirdly, the entrepreneurs make their decisions based on years of success in the market place. Indeed, the contestants on The Shark Tank seem to beg for the panelists to share their knowledge and experience just as fervently as they beg for financial assistance. Few if any of the politicians or bureaucrats have ever built or maintained any sort of successful business. Indeed, their track record is poor. Think Solyndra.

By now you can guess my answer: I'd rather swim with the sharks. Wouldn't you? That's why, when elected, I intend on helping to shut down The Guppy Tank. Not only has it been unsuccessful, but also has been sucking the capital out of the financial markets, money that should be supporting potentially successful entrepreneurs. 

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