Comments about ‘Gov. Gary Herbert tells manufacturers that 'unprecedented partnerships' are needed to boost Utah's economy’

Our straight-off-the-mean-Sesame-Streets governor couldn't be more right. Profit isn't a bad word. But you best be wary of false profits. (rimshot) Thank you. Thank you. I'll be here until this comment gets deleted. Thank you.

Ol' Herbert's last quote was wrong, though. You can get jobs from the poor. I know a couple different kinds of jobs you can get from the poor, especially if you offer them an Old English Malt Liquor. (rimshot) Thank you. Thank you. I'll be here until this comment gets deleted. Thank you.

First of all, how this state calculates unemployment is a hoax and a lie and meaningless. The true unemployment rate in Utah is much higher, maybe close to 15% if you count those forced in to schools, retirements, and state welfare. There are many people who would drop their retirement if they could get a job.

The Gov. is talking the wrong message to these businesses. They need to support and put americans to work with higher wages and income levels. Profit is a dirty word if it is used to justify keeping Americans unemployed. Profit is a dirty word if business is racist and discriminates against american citizens by employing illegal aliens. Profit is a dirty word when it is used for tax evasion and fraud. Profit is a dirty word when they deny their employees a fare share of it in benefits and pay levels. Employees deserve to reap from the profits they create for a business.

The economy and recovery is totally dependent on employee pay and benefits. The economy is dependent on expendable incomes of its employees, not the underpaid and subversive wages these jobs offer. The economy is not dependent on business profit.

Businesses pay the wages that people will work for. Nobody makes anybody work for anyone else. Employment is a market, just as groceries and clothing and everything else are.

Yes, businesses should follow the laws, but they are not obligated to distribute a "fair share" to anyone. The owners built the company, invested in it, and expect to own the profits. That's our system, and it's worked pretty well for a couple hundred years now. You don't like your wages, fine, start your own business. You don't like the risk? Can't find anyone to invest in you? Well, maybe you're not cut out for it. Doesn't make it right to demonize those who do create new businesses and run them.

As for the economy dependent on business profit - well, yes, it is. Without profit, or the hope of it, there is no money to invest or motive to do so. Profit attracts investment, creating new opportunities for owners and jobs for employees. And increased competition forces down prices or raises quality, benefiting the consumer of the product.