There is a difference between some politicians, some political parties, and some corporations. The difference is a successful brand and smoke and mirrors. A scalar, not a step-level function. The good ones, like Tesla, offer a good product and services, ever mindful of consumer needs and appropriate consumer wants. They may not implement well but the goal is always clear and the early success of Ford and our generation's example—Tesla—demonstrate the profitability and growth that is possible. That is how you build a brand or a successful political reputation. ICE manufacturers, like bad politicians and unsuccessful—in the long run—political parties, depend on money manipulation, advertising, dissembling, playing to fear, restricting the vote, lying, manipulating the count, yada, yada. The bad guys focus on atmospherics, not substance. What is confounding is Tesla and Musk. They focus on the long term picture at the risk of short term thinking and short-term profits.
Attacking a part of what Tesla or Musk do misses the big picture, especially when falling back on an argument that might go like this, "well, that's not how the losers, big time, do it!" For malignant shorters and narcissists alike an advice. It is better to be smart than dumb, like the rest of humanity. Being dumb for some is like a sugar or drug high. Thrilling for the moment, but there is a difference between feeling good and being or doing good. Machiavelli in his later years corrected his position in The Prince. It is better to be loved than to be feared. The opposite just gets a lot of publicity.
A corollary: Ordinary people know not to **sh*t** too close to the house, if you missed my drift. In the midst of uncertainty about our institutions, fake news, alternative facts, people yearn for authenticity. That yearning may reach a point where action overcomes boredom and sloth about who is ultimately responsible for change. We are. Stop trolling.
