TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
David Siegel westgate resorts CEO - AP

A love letter from the boss

October 12, 2012 @ 12:40 pm (Updated: 7:15 am - 10/13/12 )

David Siegel, age 77, founded and runs Westgate Resorts. It's a very successful timeshare company in Orlando. He recently sent a letter to all of his employees warning them about what he will do if Barack Obama is re-elected:

"If any new taxes are levied on me or my company as our current president plans, I will have no choice but to reduce the size of his company. I can no longer support a system that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and provide jobs will be destroyed."

And yet, even as Mr. Siegel is agonizing over the economic climate, he and his wife are now building their dream home, which they described in a documentary.

"I said, 'Well I'd like to have a bowling alley' and he says, 'I want a health spa.' And then I said 'we need maid's quarters'. I forgot how many kitchens, ten kitchens," said Jackie Siegel.

"Two tennis courts, one will be a stadium court," said Siegel.

"So by the time we both got what we wanted, now it's 90,000 square feet," said Jackie.

The house is actually a replica of the French Palace of Versailles on 380 acres.

He knows this looks bad, but in his letter, he points out that he didn't start out rich; he started his business in his garage, worked weekends, lived modestly, drove an old used car, never ate in fancy restaurants, never took a vacation, and put every dollar into his business.

He forbade himself from living a life of luxury, so he's tired of a system that punishes the workaholic entrepreneur. And he's right. I admire workaholics like him.

I would just note one thing: being that he's in the luxury resort business - if everybody was a workaholic and avoided fancy restaurants and never took a vacation, David Siegel probably wouldn't be living in Versailles.

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Comments (156)


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  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    He is simply notifying his employees.
    October 13, 2012 6:40 am
    And he's right. The current admin in the White House HATES business. They are allowed to exist only to pay more taxes. Same w/ the "evil rich". More class warfare but when it's reversed, the left screams foul.
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  • logical open mind wrote...
    When not if the taxes go up for folks making over $200K, many guys like me are going to downsize and take it easy.
    October 13, 2012 10:48 am
    My friends and I talk about this. The long hours and stress plus sleepless nights are worth it presently. However, when the state budget, federal debt rears it's ugly head, taxes will need to come from the upper middle class to stay afloat. Yes some revenue from the rich, zero revenue from the poor and working poor but the big chunk will have to come from proffesionals who do $200K per year. Many will change their lifestyle, get out of management and have more free time. Bottom line-succesfull people don't work only to fund a wastefull, corrupt government. they work for their families and future generations. My wife and I are just waiting for the real estate market to come back and we are checking out.
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  • Viclun wrote...
    posturing
    October 13, 2012 11:52 am
    Posturing aside, a multi millionaire businessman does not have even one extra employee. Over employment is not the hallmark of good businesses. So, putting that aside, if he had ten extra empress he would have long ago let them go.
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  • maplefish wrote...
    FATHOM THE HYPOCRISY
    October 13, 2012 12:07 pm
    Of a Government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured...but not everyone must prove they are a citizen. And now, any of those who refuse, or are unable, to prove they are citizens will receive FREE insurance paid for by those who are forced to buy insurance BECAUSE THEY ARE CITIZENS. Democrats: constantly striving for a new level of HYPOCRISY!
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  • Country_Dog wrote...
    Good Thing We Have the Uber-Rich Lef-Wing Class
    October 13, 2012 6:46 am
    Like the Kennedy Clan, George Soros, Noam Chomsky, Elizabeth Warren and the Obamas who love their lives of leisure while producing little for society.

    And for those folks who are going to jump in on this "who has what" game, let me note that the difference between the aforementioned people and Siegel is that the former want to limit what INCOME people can EARN whilst enjoying their own (static and lower-taxed) WEALTH. Siegel doesn't begrudge anybody's income success and if his goal was to retire in a big house, more power to him.

    Dave Ross is merely filled with envy.

    P.S. Noam Chomsky, the champion of the little guy, owns three $1 million plus homes.

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  • CH wrote...
    Employers: the way you treat your Employees is how they will treat your business . . . .
    October 13, 2012 6:56 am
    if you don't vote for who I want you to, you will lose your job? That sounds lawful. If I worked for this Clown I would be gone as soon as I could find another job. Yes I would walk off in the middle of the shift. Westgate Resorts needs a visit from ICE. A friend of a friend of a friend is going to make the call.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Empty threats, CH
    October 13, 2012 7:51 am
    First, you would have to have a job (or at least remember what a job was). .... And then you would have to actually be threatened if you didn't vote the right way. .. Unfortunately if 100% of Mr. Seigal's workers vote for Romney and Obama wins anyway, the layoffs will come anyway.

    But one other thing. It's presumptive and insulting to the service industry to assume such workers would fear ICE. .................. Typical, hypocrat left winger. .. You're not being cleaver, CH. You're reverting to kind.

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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Ron P
    October 13, 2012 1:33 pm
    FACT is the service industry uses LOTs of illegal workers.So its not at all presumptive.How is it insulting to tell the truth?
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Yup, messiah.
    October 13, 2012 3:05 pm
    I guess that's no more presumptive than assuming most left wing bloggers are biased hypocratic fools. .. After all, just because there's a few, it most be most.

    I'm guessing you don't have too many friends in the hospitality business. .. Guess what. They are NOT beneath you. .. And they DO deserve respect.

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  • messiah101 wrote...
    ron p
    October 14, 2012 5:20 am
    How on earth do equate my comments with someone saying service workers are beneath them or not showing "respect"?Your so called thinking is a bit twisted.In my world 2+2 still equals FOUR.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Once again, messiah -
    October 14, 2012 7:14 am
    Look up the word 'condescending'. ... It's something leftists never see in themselves.

    BTW: 2+2 = 4. .. Two plus two equals four. .. Apples to apples. .. Mixing numbers with words seems to be a confusion.

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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Oh, and yes
    October 14, 2012 8:49 am
    I know I'm being condescending to messiah here.
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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @CH
    October 13, 2012 7:53 am
    It is no different than the union thugs threating employees to vote for certain people.
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rick 4
    October 13, 2012 1:36 pm
    "union thugs threatening people to vote for certain people"Why not give us a few links so we can see where you got that information?Are you a Union worker?
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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @messiah101
    October 13, 2012 1:39 pm
    Nope not a union worker, but I know a lot of them and they tell me all the time how the union tells them that they need to vote only a certain way i.e. democrat and if they don't they better watch their backs. Heck even a union member posted a comment here confirming that.
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rick 4
    October 14, 2012 5:15 am
    How many Union members do you know and what Unions are they members of?And why should they need to "watch their backs"? After all no one goes into the voting booth with them
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  • wrsawy12 wrote...
    stupid
    October 13, 2012 4:49 pm
    Unions are the reason we have what we have,,, including benefits, holiday pay, living wages and more. Get a clue loser.
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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @wrsawy12
    October 13, 2012 5:10 pm
    Then why do union members fear their union leadership?
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  • maplefish wrote...
    Wrsawy12
    October 13, 2012 5:40 pm
    BS- you can thank Henry Ford for the 40 hour work week, weekends & holidays off. Read a book and educate yourself. Unions were, at one tie in our history a good thing, they have since become the case of much of this country's final problem. Look at California. Look at Detriot.
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  • maplefish wrote...
    The country's
    October 13, 2012 5:42 pm
    Financial problems. Unrealistic pensions are bankrupting cities & counties and Auto Manufacturers across the country...
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  • RonJ wrote...
    That fact that you don't
    October 13, 2012 10:06 am
    work for him, CH, is why he's successful.
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  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    The picture is worth a thousand words.
    October 13, 2012 7:07 am
    ...
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  • maplefish wrote...
    So what
    October 13, 2012 12:11 pm
    He Built that Busines! Unlike Obama who never had a job un his life and only looks at the wealthy and business as a tax revenue stream...
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  • Moondoggie wrote...
    CH
    October 13, 2012 7:09 am
    You have written a-lot of dumb posts in your time, but this is your crowning jewel.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • moron wrote...
    It's all a scheme....
    October 13, 2012 7:13 am
    to overtake and rule the world...Ha, I think it's great what he's doing. He is simply making a very valid point and is he using this (gambling) on a business promotion?
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  • 333 wrote...
    Don't care but...
    October 13, 2012 7:31 am
    I can no longer support a system that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive.......unless it's my wife! haha couldn't help it.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    And if everyone avoided computers and software, Bill gates wouldn't have his modest estate on Mercer Island.
    October 13, 2012 7:31 am
    And no one would be responding on line to your blog (because there would be nothing to blog with).

    And if no one listened to the radio, Dave, YOU might be stuck working with a jerk somewhere .......................... Oh.

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  • sportsguru wrote...
    ron prevost
    October 13, 2012 7:53 am
    One differenct Ron, Bill Gates actually pays great for great talent and the big one for me is that he doesn't put your job ups for grabs if you don't follow his political ideology.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Sports guy - Kudos to Bill Gates, BUT.....
    October 13, 2012 8:09 am
    Seigal is NOT threatening jobs if HIS EMPLOYEES don't vote his way. Just stating that if Obama wins and heavily raises taxes, THEN jobs will be lost. ... I don't think he is presumptive enough to think HE has so many employees that 100% of their votes one way or the other will swing an election.

    Now if a Bill Gates were to announce that even if taxes on Microsoft went up substantially, no one would be laid off .... well that WOULD be news.

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  • RonJ wrote...
    Seigal is stating
    October 13, 2012 10:10 am
    what many other CEO's have said, including the one I worker for right before I was downsized "I will not spend one dime to expand production until the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania goes back to Chicago." If it's another 4 years America can count on the economy being stuck in idle or contracting further.
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    RonJ
    October 13, 2012 1:40 pm
    Who was your employer and why does he HATE America so much?Heck much of the Compensation that CEOs receive comes in the form of stock and the market has about DOUBLED since Obama took over so I expect those CEOs are bluffing
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  • maplefish wrote...
    RonJ
    October 13, 2012 3:16 pm
    Absolutely correct. This administration is run by incompetent, socialist morons, who's class warfare has divided this country more than any other time in History! Obama proved his stupidity & ignorance loud nd clear when he stated "if you own a business - you didn't build that business" and his "Rich folks need to pay their fair share"! The man is incompetent, inept, racist and a LIAR!
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  • maplefish wrote...
    Guru
    October 13, 2012 12:11 pm
    Dude-That is a flat out lie
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  • sohojo wrote...
    Risk and Reward
    October 13, 2012 7:38 am
    This is how it works. You take a risk and if it is a success you get the reward. Tax the rich is a stupid idea as they are the job creators. I would rather work for Romney/Ryan than be supported by Obama/Biden. Class warefare is a losing proposition. By the way, this guy can run his business any way he wants, if you don't like it go work somewhere else.
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    Ha,ha,ha,
    October 13, 2012 8:25 am

    I believe that this type of thought process is the prevailing problem with America as a whole.

    We now live in a America that believes that the CORPORATION is the magic genie of the American people and no longer believe that the PEOPLE are the engine that makes America the greatest nation in the world.

    We are to cow tow to these CORPORATIONS because the create jobs for us, ha,ha,ha,.., I would rather go back to horse's and buggies and bartering with my neighbors then to suck the diick of some corporations that don't give a rat's a55 about me and my family.

    We now live in a country were CORPORATIONS ARE PEOPLE too, however our constitution indicated that our GOVERNMENT is suppose to be for the people by the people but our jack booted neo-cons have delivered our COUNTRY to the CORPORATIONS domestically and internationally.

    YOU JACKBOOTED NEO-CONS DON'T LIKE YOUR FREEDOM AND DON'T BELIEVE IN FREEDOM. You jack boots are the tricks for the corporations.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @sportsguru
    October 13, 2012 9:50 am
    But you have no problem being a public employee that takes others people money to pay you. Government is nothing more than a jobs program these days.
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    Rick (4)
    October 13, 2012 11:41 am
    I am not a public employee, I am a small business owner who makes a living just like you. I don't use my business as a tool to change legislation and/or policies. Try again please
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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @sportsguru
    October 13, 2012 1:43 pm
    Sorry, I thought you had previously posted you were a public employee.
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  • RonJ wrote...
    Corporations, guru,
    October 13, 2012 10:14 am
    are started and run by PEOPLE. People who have the right to do with their company as they please.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    RonJ
    October 13, 2012 11:51 am

    I didn't say he couldn't do what he wants with his business. I am saying that he can't yell fire in a crowded theatre to his employee's and tell them that he won't give them a fire extinguisher unless they vote like he wants them too. That's a punkassbeoitch move.

    Those same people who are running his business now feel obligated to cow tow to this fool because he owns a business. Those same people that produces his business can also not cater to his business. Notice he wants to go to some island were he can be treated like a king should be by the peasants who will fight for his nickles that he will throw there way.

    I don't think any Corporation should be able to influence legislation and definitely don't feel a corporation should be considered PEOPLE, because when the lawsuits start coming out against them, they are just an entity and I can hide behind my entity and protect my personal assets as long as I keep them separate.

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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @sportsguru
    October 13, 2012 12:19 pm
    How is this any difference than the heads of UNIONS telling their members how to vote? In case of unions, if the members do not do as the union leadership tells them to do, they send the union thugs after them.
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    Rick (4)
    October 13, 2012 3:01 pm
    I am not a big union guy and they have become political, but given the state of our country, if they didn't, there voice wouldn't be any more effective than your or mines in the legislative process. They at least are trying to protect there clients. That's more than I can say for Big Corporations and/or our Congressman and woman and/or senators. Pftt
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  • kata wrote...
    @SG
    October 14, 2012 12:31 pm
    there is an extraordinarily easy way to kick the legs out from under a business, that I am sure you already know : don't buy from them.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sohojo wrote...
    LOL
    October 13, 2012 1:07 pm
    Typical liberal spin talking point. Corporations are evil...lol. You should go on the Obama/Biden plan then you can suck the governments diick. Your collective communist thought process is what is wrong with the democratic party of today. America will and should steam roll bozos like you.
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    Funny Sohojo
    October 13, 2012 2:58 pm
    Because the corporations are already steam rolling all of America. Your dumb a55 don't get it because it is they who run our government and it is not you and/or I. We are just squirrels trying to get a nut that fall from the tree of the big corporation. I hope that brown stuff on your nose does you and your family well.
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  • maplefish wrote...
    Guru?
    October 13, 2012 2:42 pm
    Pretty funny, but ummm, it's Obama who said "You didn't build that" and "Government is the one thing we all belong to".... Think about that statement for a minute....? This Class Warfare created by a guy who never had a job in his life until the POTUS is flat out eF ing Disgraceful. I cannot believe a guy as smart as you actually buys into his insanity!
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    maplefish
    October 13, 2012 3:02 pm
    Government by the people for the people. THINK ABOUT THAT AND BACK AT YOU.
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  • maplefish wrote...
    We the People
    October 13, 2012 3:18 pm
    DO NOT BELONG to the Government! The GOVERNMENT BELONGS TO US!
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    maplefish
    October 13, 2012 6:45 pm
    Exactly maplefish.
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  • cdbtx wrote...
    Dave show me where he said
    October 13, 2012 7:53 am
    that "If Obama is re-elected". He states "If any new taxes are levied on me or my company as our current president plans"

    Now I'm not stupid, but I would also assume that the same statement would apply if Romney raised taxes.

    I'm not defending Seigel either, I know him, my wife used to work for him and as a human being have absolutely nothing good to say about him... very similar to George Soros with regards to ethics, integrity, and greed.

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